Stress.ppt

The body and mind’s reaction to everyday demands or threats.

Stress can be useful or harmful, energizing or exhausting.

How each person reacts to the stressful situation, will often determine the effect it will have on the person

Stress: Stress: neutral

stress which often challenges people in their day to day tasksSchoolWorkAthleticsObligationsDeadlinesExpectations

Eustress: Eustress: positive

stress which helps people to meet their goalsScoring the winning

points in a gameGetting a new jobGoing on a dateGetting a promotionGetting a good gradeBeing recognized for

a job well done

Distress: Distress: negative

stress which can cause too much pressure and trauma in ones lifeOverworkedFailing a classParents divorceGetting fired from a

jobDeath of a loved one

Stressors: The source of stress

in each persons life; people, places, and things that cause stress in day to day lifeBiologicalEnvironmentalCognitivePersonal BehaviorLife Situations

Identify Stressors in Your Life

Common Stressors:

HealthProblems

Drugs/Alcohol

Girlfriend/Boyfriend

FuturePlans Activities

Sports

Peers

Finances

Jobs

Family

School

YOU

Stress Response: Alarm-Initial Reaction: the 1st stage of

the response to the stressful situation; when the body and mind are on high alert and the stress response is initiated

Resistance Response: the 2nd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the body is attempting to repair any damage that has been done by the stress

Fatigue-Exhaustion: the 3rd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the stress is not adequately dealt with, the body breaks down and health problems result

Reacting & Responding to Stressors:

Stress Tolerance: The amount of stress

that someone can handle before they reach a state of too much stress and they experience fatigue and breakdown

Warning Signs of Overstressed: Severe Headaches or Migraines Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Constipation Chronic Fatigue-Lack of Energy Insomnia (Sleeplessness) Lack of Memory-Unable to Concentrate Irregular Menstruation Decreased Sex Drive Lack of Appetite Emotional Mood Swings

Stress and Health Problems Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse Loneliness and Depression Suicide Attempts Psychological Problems Ulcers Stroke Heart Attack Emotional or Mental Illness Weakened Immune System-Frequent Illness

Stress and Personalities: Type A: competitive, high achieving;

thrives on high stress lifestyle

Type B: laid back, non-competitive; avoids stressful situations

Passive: wimpy, crumbles under pressure, easily influenced by others

Assertive: firm and positive, stands up for personal beliefs, takes control of situations, influences others

in a positive way

Aggressive: hostile, forceful, intimidating, bully’s beliefs on others

Ego Defense Mechanism

EGO:

Self

DEFENSE:

Protection

MECHANISM:

Strategies used to help reduce stress levels

when stressful situations occur

Common Ego Defense Mechanisms: Rationalization: making excuses and justifying behavior

to cover up the stressful situation Denial: pretending that the stressful situation never

occurred Projection: blaming someone else to avoid being

stressed by the situation Displacement: taking out frustration on someone or

something that had nothing to do with the stressful situation

Substitution: replacing one action for another to conceal the stressful situation

Compensation: settling for something less than what was expected to relieve stress

Regression: resorting to child-like behaviors to relieve the stress

Interpersonal Conflicts: stress caused by conflicts between two people or groups of peopleArguments or disagreements with other people

Internal Conflicts: stress caused by conflicts that occur within the person themselvesBeing torn between doing what is right for the

moment, and what is right in the long run

Conflict Resolution Strategy:

T: Take a Time Out (at least 30 minutes)

A: Allow Each Person To Present Their Point of View

L: Let Each Person Ask Questions

K: Keep Brainstorming to Find the BestSolution for Both Parties

Stress Management Skills: Set & Prioritize Goals Budget Your Time Learn to Say No Slow Down Take a Time Out Relax & Have Fun Get Regular Exercise Eat Healthy Get 7-10 hrs. of Sleep

per Night Have a Support System

Coping Strategies: Have Plans B, C, D, E

ready to go when plan A doesn’t work out

Take a “Power Nap” when needed

Talk your problems out with a friend or a professional

If your Lost, stop and ask for directions

Laugh and Have Fun