Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Nature of The Nature of Stress Stress I cannot and should not be I cannot and should not be cured of by stress, but cured of by stress, but merely taught to enjoy it merely taught to enjoy it . . - - Hans Selye Hans Selye
Chapter 1:Chapter 1:The Nature of StressThe Nature of Stress
I cannot and should not be cured I cannot and should not be cured of by stress, but merely taught of by stress, but merely taught to enjoy itto enjoy it..
- Hans - Hans SelyeSelye
Hans SelyeHans Selye argued that argued that stressstress is a is a a way of life. a way of life.
However, only recently has the However, only recently has the term stress become a common term stress become a common word in our everyday language.word in our everyday language.
Why do you believe this is true?Why do you believe this is true?
Factors that have drawn attention Factors that have drawn attention to stress in modern times:to stress in modern times:
research has shown a relationship research has shown a relationship between lifestyle and stress-between lifestyle and stress-
related related diseases;diseases; research has indicated that perhaps 70 research has indicated that perhaps 70
to 80 percent of all diseases and to 80 percent of all diseases and illnesses are stress-related;illnesses are stress-related;
Factors that have drawn attention Factors that have drawn attention to stress in modern times:to stress in modern times:
rapid change is very much a part of rapid change is very much a part of modern society; modern society;
the number of stressors in our lives is the number of stressors in our lives is increasing; increasing;
leisure time is decreasing; andleisure time is decreasing; and others?others?
1. In your own words, define the 1. In your own words, define the term stress.term stress.
2. From your own observations and 2. From your own observations and analysis, explain why you analysis, explain why you believe there is more or less believe there is more or less stress present in today’s society.stress present in today’s society.
DictionaryWebste
r’s
More stressed or less stress?More stressed or less stress? Before the 19th century, parents witnessed Before the 19th century, parents witnessed
the likelihood that only about 3 out of 10 the likelihood that only about 3 out of 10 newborn infants lived beyond the age of 25.newborn infants lived beyond the age of 25.
Today, fewer than 1 in 20 children die Today, fewer than 1 in 20 children die before they reach adulthood. However, the before they reach adulthood. However, the rates of suicide and homicides for youths rates of suicide and homicides for youths have dramatically increased. have dramatically increased.
Which generation experienced more stress?Which generation experienced more stress?
Definitions of stressDefinitions of stress
Stress is both an intricate phenomenon Stress is both an intricate phenomenon and a culturally defined concept and a culturally defined concept based on various perspectives of the based on various perspectives of the human condition.human condition.
As a result, there exists many different As a result, there exists many different interpretations of stress.interpretations of stress.
Popular views of stress.Popular views of stress.
Eastern philosophies have viewed Eastern philosophies have viewed stress as an absence of inner peace. stress as an absence of inner peace.
Western culture has more recently Western culture has more recently viewed stress as a loss of control.viewed stress as a loss of control.
Stress
is...
Richard Lazarus’ view of stressRichard Lazarus’ view of stress
Stress is a state of anxiety Stress is a state of anxiety produced when events and produced when events and responsibilities exceed one’s responsibilities exceed one’s coping abilities.coping abilities.
Hans Selye’s view of stressHans Selye’s view of stress
Stress is the nonspecific response Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand of the body to any demand placed upon it to adapt, whether placed upon it to adapt, whether that demand produces pleasure that demand produces pleasure or pain.or pain.
A holistic medicine view of A holistic medicine view of stressstress
Stress is the inability to cope with a Stress is the inability to cope with a real or real or perceivedperceived (or imagined) (or imagined) threat to one’s mental, physical, threat to one’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being emotional, and spiritual well-being which results in a series of which results in a series of physiological responses and physiological responses and adaptations. (FEAR)adaptations. (FEAR)
The Stress ResponseThe Stress Response(fight or flight response)(fight or flight response)
Introduced by Walter Cannon in Introduced by Walter Cannon in 1914.1914.
A survival instinct to fight or run.A survival instinct to fight or run. Meant for physical stressorsMeant for physical stressors..
The Stress ResponseThe Stress Response(fight or flight response)(fight or flight response)
Arousal also happens for non-physical stressors Arousal also happens for non-physical stressors (mental, emotional, & spiritual).(mental, emotional, & spiritual).
No matter if the threat is real (car accident) or No matter if the threat is real (car accident) or perceived (a noise at night), the stress perceived (a noise at night), the stress
response occurs.response occurs. The stress response occurs in proportion to the The stress response occurs in proportion to the
perceived danger.perceived danger.
Stages of the stress responseStages of the stress response
Stage 1: Stimuli received by brain through one Stage 1: Stimuli received by brain through one or or more of 5 senses.more of 5 senses.
Stage 2: Brain deciphers stimuli (either a threat or Stage 2: Brain deciphers stimuli (either a threat or as a non-threat)as a non-threat)
Stage 3: Body stays aroused until threat is over.Stage 3: Body stays aroused until threat is over. Stage 4: Body returns to homeostasis once the Stage 4: Body returns to homeostasis once the
threat is gone.threat is gone.
Symptoms of fight or flightSymptoms of fight or flight
increased heart rateincreased heart rate increased blood rateincreased blood rate increased ventilationincreased ventilation vasodilatation of arteries to body’s vasodilatation of arteries to body’s
periphery (arm and legs)periphery (arm and legs) increased serum glucose levelsincreased serum glucose levels
Symptoms of fight or flightSymptoms of fight or flight
increased free fatty acid mobilizationincreased free fatty acid mobilization increased blood coagulation and increased blood coagulation and
decreased clottingdecreased clotting increased muscular strengthincreased muscular strength decreased gastric movementdecreased gastric movement increased perspiration to cool body core increased perspiration to cool body core
temperaturetemperature
Three types of stressThree types of stress
Eustress Eustress “good”“good”
NeustressNeustressno consequential effectno consequential effect
DistressDistressAcute (intense); Chronic (prolonged)Acute (intense); Chronic (prolonged)
Eustress Distress
Maximum Performance
Poor High
LowGood
perf
orm
ance
illn
ess
poor performance poor performance
lowunderaroused-
bored
moderateoptimallyaroused
highoveraroused-overwhelmed
The Yerkes-Dodson Curve
Three types of stressorsThree types of stressors
BioecologicalBioecologicalNatural elements – sunlight, gravity etc.Natural elements – sunlight, gravity etc.
PsychointrapersonalPsychointrapersonalGreatest % of stressors – perceptions, Greatest % of stressors – perceptions,
ego & identity defenseego & identity defense
Social Social
Environment - overcrowding, hasslesEnvironment - overcrowding, hassles
General Adaptation SyndromeGeneral Adaptation Syndrome
Stage 1:Stage 1:
Alarm ReactionAlarm Reaction
Stage 2:Stage 2:
ResistanceResistance
Stage 3:Stage 3:
Exhaustion Exhaustion
TechnostressTechnostress
Information OverloadInformation Overload BoundariesBoundaries PrivacyPrivacy EthicsEthics Less Family TimeLess Family Time Computer DatingComputer Dating Outdated TechnologyOutdated Technology The Ever-widening “Digital Divide”The Ever-widening “Digital Divide”
College StressCollege Stress
Roommate dynamicsRoommate dynamics Professional pursuits and career pathProfessional pursuits and career path Academic deadlinesAcademic deadlines Financial aid and school loansFinancial aid and school loans Budgeting moneyBudgeting money Lifestyle behaviorsLifestyle behaviors Peer groups and peer pressurePeer groups and peer pressure Exploring sexualityExploring sexuality Friendships/intimate relationshipsFriendships/intimate relationships
Occupational StressOccupational Stress
Too much responsibility w/ no authorityToo much responsibility w/ no authority Unrealistic expectationsUnrealistic expectations Corporate downsizingCorporate downsizing Inadequate trainingInadequate training Lack of appreciationLack of appreciation Too much to do with too little time/resourcesToo much to do with too little time/resources CommutingCommuting Keeping pace w/technologyKeeping pace w/technology Poor working conditionsPoor working conditions
Wellness paradigmWellness paradigm
The integration, balance, and The integration, balance, and harmony of the mind, body, harmony of the mind, body, spirit, and emotions for optimal spirit, and emotions for optimal well-being, where the whole is well-being, where the whole is considered greater than the sum considered greater than the sum of the parts.of the parts.
Wellness paradigmWellness paradigm
Spiritual well-being
Emotionalwell-being
Mental(intellectual)well-being
Physicalwell-being
An effective holistic approach to An effective holistic approach to stress management includes:stress management includes:
Mental well-being: ability to gather, Mental well-being: ability to gather, process, recall, and process, recall, and
communicate communicate informationinformation Physical well-being: the ability of all Physical well-being: the ability of all
body’s physiological systems to body’s physiological systems to function optimallyfunction optimally
An effective holistic approach to An effective holistic approach to stress management includes:stress management includes:
Emotional well-being: ability to Emotional well-being: ability to recognize, feel, and control the recognize, feel, and control the entire range of human emotionsentire range of human emotions
Spiritual well-being: the evolution of Spiritual well-being: the evolution of higher consciousness through higher consciousness through relationships, values, and purpose in relationships, values, and purpose in lifelife
A holistic approach to A holistic approach to stress managementstress management
To deal effectively with stress all To deal effectively with stress all areas must be addressed equally areas must be addressed equally to integrate, balance, and give to integrate, balance, and give harmony for optimal well-beingharmony for optimal well-being