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Stress

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Definition
STRESS is the uncomfortable gap between... a) how we would like our life to be and b) how it actually is

Definition
Stress is defined as the nonspecific response of the human organism to any demand placed upon it. In other words, stress is how people react to demands.

Stress
is an unavoidable consequence of life Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment;

Stress
Is it-

Good Or Bad

Eustress
Happy times that causes stress

Distress
Bad stress Can cause disease

Take out clickers quiz

Sources of Stress
Change Hassles Pressure Frustration: being thwarted in reaching a specific goal Conflict Approach- approach ( two desirables) Avoidance-Avoidance (two undesirables ) Approach-Avoidance ( pros and cons)

What Impacts Stress


Personality (Type A or B) Familiarity Predictability Intensity of Threat Controllability

Responses
Wolfolk and Richardson
3 styles of response
anger. ( Annoyance, short-temperedness, even rage fear. depression

Responses
Physiologically:
body has an automatic way to respond to stress. Cannon called this the Fight or Flight Response cave man reaction Seyle called it the General Adaptation Syndrome ( GAS)

Flight or Fight
Autonomic nervous built for cave man
The "fight or flight response" is our body's primitive, automatic, inborn response that prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from perceived attack, harm or threat to our survival. (thebodysoulconnection.com)

Today less physical society but more stress Paranoid thinking

GAS
Alarm ( which is similar to the Fight or Flight theory) alarm reaction, the body releases adrenaline and a variety of other psychological mechanisms to combat the stress and to stay in control. This is called fight or flight response.

GAS continued
Resistance- the body adjusts or denies the stress under which the autonomic nervous system has placed it secretes further hormones increase blood sugar levels to sustain energy and raise blood pressure. Overuse leads to disease. prolonged period of time without periods of relaxation and rest to counterbalance the stress response, sufferers become prone to fatigue, concentration lapses, irritability and lethargy

GAS continued
Exhaustion: the body physically, mentally, and many times emotionally surrenders
Depression Immune problems

Behavior responses
aggression Learned helplessness- ( people give up and will not try like the dogs who were shocked when they approached their water dish or a student who fails no matter how hard she tries.) Defense mechanism ( which can be positive if temporary but negative when it becomes the only response. )

Physical Responses
Cardiovasular Hypertension Cancer Strokes General illnesses just overall increase Burnout

Positive ways to cope


Time management exercise meditation biofeedback relaxation response others

Direct Coping
Confrontation Compromise Withdrawal

Overall
Become aware of your stressors and your emotional and physical reactions. Recognize what you can change. Reduce the intensity of your emotional reactions to stress. Learn to moderate your physical reactions to stress. Build your physical reserves. Maintain your emotional reserves.

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