CHAPTER 1 – What is Stress?

1. CHAPTER 1 – What is Stress?

2. Who Experiences Stress? • EVERYONE!! • Even… • The key…

3. WALTER CANNON • What did he do? • He first described the body’s reaction to stress, which is called what? Fight or Flight Response

4. WALTER CANNON (cont.) • What happens to the body during the Fight or Flight Response? • Increased heart rate (pounding & faster) • Increased respiration • Perspiration • Muscle tension

5. What is a stressor? ANYTHING with the potential to cause a stress reaction (Fight or Flight Response) • Will vary… • Eustress? • Distress?

6. HANS SELYE • What did he learn about stress reactivity (Fight or Flight Response)? • Discovered that regardless of the source of the stressor, the BODY REACTS IN THE SAME MANNER. • In other words…

7. HANS SELYE (cont.) • General Adaptation Syndrome (3 phases of stress reactivity): • Alarm Reaction (body experiences…) • Stage of Resistance (body adapts &…) • Stage of Exhaustion (if stressor is not…) • Rest of the names… • Will cover disease…

8. WHAT IS A SYMBOLIC STRESSOR? • A stressor for which the Fight or Flight Response would be INAPPROPRIATE. • Example? • Most stressors in today’s society…

9. STRESS REACTIVITY • This is another name for the Fight or Flight Response • 2 Important facts: • 1. Everyday stressors vs. Major Life… • 2. Duration vs. Degree…

10. STRESS DEFINED • The combination of a stressor and… • Without both… (again, key is…) • Something to think about: Stress=Pressure – Adaptability

11. MANAGING STRESS • Should we strive to eliminate ALL STRESS? • Would it be desirable to eliminate ALL STRESS? • Examples…

12. ACTIVITY (groups of 6-8) • Members list their PERSONAL STRESSORS • Next, members list ways they may CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERS’ STRESS