Stress and Stress Management

1. Stress and Stress Management

2. Stress • Stress – is the disruption of homeostasis (balance) through physical or psychological stimuli.

3. Stress • Physical Stressors - is one that has a direct effect on the body. (Heat, cold, bright light, car accident, hunger) • Psychological/Mental Stressors - is one in which only information reaches the brain with no direct physical impact on the body. (Scary situation, loud sound, a test)

4. Stress • Acute stress is the most common and most recognizable form of stress, the kind of sudden jolt in which you know exactly why you’re stressed.

5. Stress • Examples of Acute Stressors • Boyfriends/Girlfriends • Schoolwork – Tests, Quizzes, etc. • Clothes • Popularity • Physical threats

6. Stress • Chronic Stress - is stress that wears you down day after day and year after year, with no visible escape.

7. Stress • Common causes of chronic stress include: • Poverty and financial worries • Long-term unemployment • Dysfunctional family relationships • Caring for a chronically ill family member • Feeling trapped in unhealthy relationships or career choices • Living in an area besieged by war or violence • Bullying or harassment • Perfectionism

8. How does stress affect us • EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS HOW STRESS CAN MAKE YOU FEEL • Moody and hypersensitive • Depression • Anger and resentment • Apathy • Lack of confidence • Restlessness and anxiety

9. How does stress affect us • PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS HOW STRESS CAN AFFECT YOUR BODY • Headaches • Sleep disturbances • Muscle tension and pain • Fatigue • Weight gain or loss • High blood pressure • Chest pain, irregular heartbeat

10. How does stress affect us • INTELLECTUAL SYMPTOMS HOW STRESS CAN AFFECT YOUR MIND • Memory problems • Difficulty making decisions • Inability to concentrate • Seeing only the negative • Poor judgment • Desire to escape or run away

11. How does stress affect us • BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS HOW STRESS CAN AFFECT YOUR BEHAVIOR • Eating more or less • Sleeping too much or too little • Isolating yourself from others • Neglecting your responsibilities • Increasing alcohol and drug abuse • Nervous habits • Losing your temper

12. COPING DEVICES • STRESS RESPONSE • The stress response of the body is meant to protect and support us. When faced with a threat, whether it be to our physical safety or emotional equilibrium, the body's defenses kick into high gear in a process known as the "fight or flight” response

13. COPING DEVICES • Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) • Relaxation exercises help reduce anxiety and stress. First, you cause tension in certain muscle groups and then you totally relax them.

14. COPING DEVICES • Yoga - allows you to build up a natural response to stress and bring the relaxed state more into your daily life. • Tai Chi - focuses on the breath and the mind’s attention in the present moment. • Meditation - Quiet the mind and engage in exercises that help you focus on your breathing, an object, or your body sensations. The goal is to relax the mind, body and spirit.

15. Stress Test List