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What is Stress?

What is Stress?. • Introduction • What is stress ? • A stressor? • Distress? • Eustress? Homeostasis?. The Body’s Response to Stress. • The General Adaptation Syndrome – pattern to all stressors 3 phases: 1) Alarm 2) Resistance 3) Exhaustion.

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What is Stress?

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  1. What is Stress? • • Introduction • • What is stress? • • A stressor? • • Distress? • • Eustress? • Homeostasis?

  2. The Body’s Response to Stress • • The General Adaptation Syndrome – pattern to all stressors • 3 phases: • 1) Alarm • 2) Resistance • 3) Exhaustion Figure 3.2: The General Adaptation Syndrome: Alarm Phase.

  3. Alarm Phase • First exposed to a stressor • Body prepares to fight or flight • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) kicks in – regulates unconscious controlled areas, like breathing and heart rate • Sympathetic Division – releases norepinephrine; stimulates endocrine system – hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands – Hormones released include: adrenocorticotropic (ACTH), cortisol, epinephrine, endorphins

  4. Resistance Phase • Starts immediately after alarm phase • Parasympathetic Division – controls energy levels and returns the body to a normal level of functioning - Homeostasis

  5. Exhaustion Phase • Physical and emotional energy used to deal with the stressor is depleted • Body may feel wiped out • Body must replenish the energy stores that were used • Without this phase, blood pressure can remain high and body systems cannot respond to stress like they once could

  6. Common Sources of Stress • Major Life Changes • Daily Hassles • Academic Demands • Interpersonal Stressors • Time-Related Pressures • Financial Concerns • Job-Related Stressors • Social Stressors

  7. According to a recent study: • One third of Americans live with high stress • Leading causes of stress are work and finances • Children are growing up in stressed out homes creating psychological and physiological symptoms

  8. How stressed are you? • Do minor problems upset you excessively? • Do the small pleasures of life fail to satisfy you? • Are you unable to stop thinking about your worries? • Do you feel inadequate or suffer from self-doubt? • Are you constantly tired?

  9. Do you experience flashes of anger over a minor problem? • Have you noticed a change in sleeping or eating patterns? • Do you suffer from chronic pain, headaches, or back aches? If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, you need to take steps to gain control of stress in your life before it controls you! Check out Table 3.1 on pg. 66

  10. Emotional & Behavioral Responses • Individual perception of stressor • Individual personality • Type A • Type B • Type C • “Hardy”

  11. Emotional & Behavioral Responses, con’t. • Gender • Cultural Background • Past Experiences • Effective behavioral responses • Coping techniques

  12. Health Concerns related to Stress • Cardiovascular Disease • Altered Immune System • Digestive Problems • Headaches • Injuries • Menstrual irregularities, impotence, & pregnancy complications • Type 2 Diabetes • Depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder • 70% of doctor visits are related to stress!

  13. Stress Management • Social support and communication • Exercise • Nutrition • Sleep • Attitude toward stress • Relaxation techniques • Time management • Avoiding counterproductive strategies like drinking and drugs

  14. Stress Management, con’t. • Strive for greater spirituality • Confide in yourself through writing • Think and act constructively • Take control • Problem-solve • Modify your expectations • Maintain positivity • Cultivate a sense of humor • Go with the flow

  15. Time Management Strategies • Set priorities. • Schedule tasks for peak efficiency. • Set realistic goals, and write them down. • Budget enough time. • Break down long-term goals into short-term goals • Visualize achievement of goals

  16. Time Management, con’t. • Keep track of procrastinated tasks • Tackle the least favorite tasks first • Consolidate tasks when possible • Identify quick transitional tasks • Delegate responsibility • Say “no” when necessary • Give yourself a break

  17. “Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

  18. Live the Nike challenge . . . JUST DO IT!!!!!

  19. UWG Services for Stress • Student Development Center offers information, counseling, support services 270 Parker Hall 678-839-6428 • Excell Center – programs & personal assistance UCC 678-839-6280

  20. Website • www.uhs.uga.edu/stress/ Managing Stress: A guide for college students

  21. Other helpful websites: • www.stressless.com • www.sleepnet.com • www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/health/hepmr.htm (a guide to progressive muscle relaxation) • See WebCT Dimensions Folder resource listing

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