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Stress Response and Fear

Stress Response and Fear. By Natalie Engelmann and Heidi Loveland . Stress Response . . . review . Homeostasis. Fight or Flight. Return to Homeostasis. Exhaustion. Cortisol.

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Stress Response and Fear

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  1. Stress Response and Fear By Natalie Engelmann and Heidi Loveland

  2. Stress Response . . . review Homeostasis Fight or Flight Return to Homeostasis Exhaustion

  3. Cortisol An important stress hormone found in the adrenal cortex. It is part of the automatic nervous system controlled by the hypothalamus located in the diencephalon in the central part of the brain.

  4. Cortisol is involved in the following functions: • Proper glucose metabolism • Regulation of blood pressure • Insulin release for blood sugar maintenance • Immune function • Inflammatory response • Small increases of cortisol have some positive effects: • A quick burst of energy for survival purposes • Heightened memory functions • A burst of increased immunity • Lower sensitivity to pain • Helps maintain homeostasis in the body

  5. Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have the following negative effects: • Impaired cognitive performance • Suppressed thyroid function • Create blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia • Decreased bone density • Decrease in muscle tissue • Higher blood pressure • Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body • Slowed wound healing • Body stores additional fat in the arteries and abdomen. • Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of , higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems!

  6. To keep stress and cortisol levels healthy learn what activities help you to activate your body’s relaxation response. You can learn to relax your body with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place. Helpful relaxation techniques: Guided Imagery Journaling Exercise Yoga Listening to Music* Breathing Exercises MEDITATION Massage Other Techniques *In a Japanese study cortisol levels were in surgical patients just before anesthesia was administered. Patients who listened to soothing music immediately before show a drop in cortisol by 50%

  7. Meditation • What to expect • Benefits • How

  8. Relationship Between Stress vs. Fear • What is stress? • A demand made upon the adaptive capacities of the mind and body • What is fear? • A state of escalated worry and apprehension that causes distinct physical and emotional reactions

  9. Types of Fear • Fear of Change • Fear of Pain • Fear of Failure • Fear of Punishment • Fear of Something • Fear of the Unknown • Fear of Death The thought that precedes fear is “ There is going to be a future pain associated with a future event and we don’t want that pain.

  10. Is Fear For Real? • F = False • E = Evidence • A = Appearing • R = Real “You gain strength, courage, and confidence be every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the things you think you cannot do.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

  11. Comfort Zones vs. Discomfort Zones • 1st Pattern of Behavior = tend to gravitate toward our comfort zones • Why? • In order to grow we have to expand into our discomfort zones and that involves fear!

  12. Rules of fear • Nothing out there is inherently fearful • All fear is learned • There is no real pain in our discomfort zones (99% of the time) except what we make up

  13. Strategies to Overcome Fear • First, admit your afraid Create a list. Go through the list mentally without fear • Next, comfort your fear Realize you fear will intensify as you do it- do it anyway • Do whatever your afraid of at least three times Chances are you were afraid because you were unsure • As you confront your fears call it something else (i.e. excitement, challenge, etc.)

  14. Stress, Cortisol, and Fear Connection • In a nutshell: • In times of stress cortisol and adrenaline cause lipid cells to flood the bloodstream with fatty acids for quick energy for survival • When we create fear and experience stress for long periods of time cortisol levels remain elevated in the body causing adverse health effects • When functioning properly the stress response and fear save our lives from dangerous situations. • On the other hand when stress is uncontrolled it can literally do physical harm • Fear and stress can be alleviated through relaxing exercises such as mediation

  15. THE END

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