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Stress Management. by Lucienda Taylor Health Promotion major – Weber State University. What is Stress?. Stress is your mind and body’s response or reaction to a real or imagined threat, event or change.
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Stress Management by Lucienda Taylor Health Promotion major – Weber State University
What is Stress? • Stress is your mind and body’s response or reaction to a real or imagined threat, event or change. • The threat, event or change are commonly called stressors. Stressors can be internal (thoughts, beliefs, attitudes) or external (loss, tragedy, change).
Types of Stress • Eustress: • Positive stress that motivates you to move into action to get things accomplished. • Getting married • Getting into college • Winning the lottery
Types of Stress • Distress: • Stress that occurs when stress levels are too high and the body begins to respond negatively to the stressors. • Threat of personal injury • Difficult work environment
Stages of Stress • Stage 1 – Alarm Stage • “Fight or flight” response which causes you to be ready for physical activity. • Decreases effectiveness of immune system, leaving you susceptible to illness. • Examples: • Increased heart rate • Increased respiration • Skin temperature decreases • Increased stimulation of adrenal glands
Stages of Stress • Stage II – Resistance or Adaptation Stage • The body tries to cope/adapt to the stressors it is exposed to…. • Emotional: • Tearfulness • Panic • Guilt • Depression
Stages of Stress • Stage III – Exhaustion • Stress persists for a long time • Resistance may be reduced or collapse rapidly • Long-term stress can lead to additional health issues • Examples • Digestive disorders • Headaches • Insomnia • Withdrawal
Stress Relief Strategies Get Physical • Exercise • At least 20 minutes, 5 times a week • Get a massage • Stretch • Rest • Minimum 6 hours continuous
Stress Relief Strategies Get Mental • Count to 10 • Get organized • Ask for help • Laugh • Progressive relaxation exercises
Stress Relief Strategies Get Spiritual • Meditate • Pray • Try yoga
References • Canton University. (n.d.). Stress Management. Retrieved January 13, 2010, from www.canton.edu/counseling/doc/stress_management.pps • Student Affairs. (n.d.). What is Stress? Retrieved January 12, 2010, from studentaffairs.odu.edu/counseling/Workshops/stress.ppt: