Chapter Ten Handling Stress. What is Stress? A nonspecific response of the body to any demand upon it. The body will react in a similar manner whether.

Chapter TenChapter Ten

Handling StressHandling Stress

What is Stress?What is Stress?

A nonspecific response of the body to any A nonspecific response of the body to any demand upon it.demand upon it.

The body will react in a similar manner The body will react in a similar manner whether the stress is good (positive) or bad whether the stress is good (positive) or bad

(negative).(negative).

What Causes Stress?What Causes Stress?

Stressors cause stress.Stressors cause stress.

Positive stress is eustress.Positive stress is eustress.

Negative stress is distress.Negative stress is distress.

Response to stress varies from individual to Response to stress varies from individual to individual.individual.

Types of StressorsTypes of Stressors

Psychological - love, fear, anxietyPsychological - love, fear, anxiety Environment - excessive heat, cold, noise, Environment - excessive heat, cold, noise,

overcrowdingovercrowding Social - personal relationships, family problems, Social - personal relationships, family problems,

loneliness, discriminationloneliness, discrimination Physiological - illness, injuries, fatigue, drugs, foods Physiological - illness, injuries, fatigue, drugs, foods

such as caffeine, salt, sugar and alcoholsuch as caffeine, salt, sugar and alcohol

Body’s Reaction to StressBody’s Reaction to Stress

Increase in heart rate and respiration rateIncrease in heart rate and respiration rate Increase in blood pressureIncrease in blood pressure Elevation in blood sugar levelElevation in blood sugar level Increase in muscular tensionIncrease in muscular tension Increase in perspirationIncrease in perspiration Sharpening of sensesSharpening of senses Digestion slows downDigestion slows down

Level 1 - The Alarm Stage - Body prepares for “fight or flight”

Body’s Reaction to StressBody’s Reaction to Stress

Heart rate and respiration rate decreaseHeart rate and respiration rate decrease Hormones secreted which give the body the energy to Hormones secreted which give the body the energy to

cope with the stressorcope with the stressor If intense or long-term stress exhausts the amount of If intense or long-term stress exhausts the amount of

energy available and the problem persists, the body energy available and the problem persists, the body enters the third stage of stress.enters the third stage of stress.

Level 2 - The Resistance Stage - Body attempts to adjust to the stressor and return to normal

Body’s Reaction to StressBody’s Reaction to Stress

If stress continues long enough, and your body cannot If stress continues long enough, and your body cannot cope with it, you may suffer short term or long term cope with it, you may suffer short term or long term effects of stress.effects of stress.

Level 3 - The Exhaustion Stage - potential for disease

Effects of StressEffects of Stress

Short Term Stress: headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue

Long Term Stress: severe headaches, depression, fatigue, weight control problems, may affect the heart, blood pressure, stomach, muscles, and joints

Preventing & Coping with StressPreventing & Coping with Stress

Keep things in perspective Practice assertive behavior Establish challenging and attainable

goals Learn time management Limit certain foods Share your stress

Coping with StressCoping with Stress

Learn stress diversion activities

Use exercise to reduce stress Meditation Deep breathing Imagery Progressive muscle relaxation

Avoiding Negative Coping StrategiesAvoiding Negative Coping Strategies

Too much alcoholToo much alcohol Too much televisionToo much television Dependence on chemicals or drugsDependence on chemicals or drugs Tobacco useTobacco use Withdrawal or avoidanceWithdrawal or avoidance Excessive gamblingExcessive gambling OverspendingOverspending

Handling StressHandling Stress

Controlling your angerControlling your anger Dealing with peer pressureDealing with peer pressure Make good choicesMake good choices

Handling stress also involves:

Handling StressHandling Stress

You experience stress everyday. The You experience stress everyday. The key is to learn to handle or cope with the key is to learn to handle or cope with the

stressors in your life to avoid negative stressors in your life to avoid negative affects on your health.affects on your health.

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