Stress Cycle Life 101 Attitude Coping Skill Effects of Coping

Life101

Attitude

Coping Skill

Effects ofCoping

DefinitionsStressor- a stimulus with the potential for triggering Fight or

Flight 4 categories (Social, Environmental, Psychological, Philosophical)

Stress reactivity- Body changes to meet demands (F or F response)

Strains-Outcomes of stress reactivity and may be physical, psychological, or behavioral. (tension headache, phobias, addictions)

Stress- The wear and tear on the body when there is reactivity. Combination of a stressor, stress reactivity, and strain.

Homeostasis- The body’s balanced state

Eustress- Good stress

Distress- Bad Stress

Duration/Degree- Duration= the amount of time our body’s physiology varies

Degree=Condition or the amount of physiological variance

Walter Cannon- Harvard Medical SchoolFirst to describe the effects of acute stressTermed this stress reaction as the fight-or-

flight responseA primitive response that quickly increases

heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol

Acute Alarm ReactionBody prepares for fight or flightTime of emergencyHeart pumps blood faster and with greater

forceBlood pressure elevates abruptlyLungs send more oxygen to musclesFaster blood clotting

Acute Alarm ReactionWidening of the pupils to admit more light in

order to heighten visual acuity and awarenessIncrease in breathing rateEndorphins released – decrease in body’s

sensitivity to painElevated blood sugar levels

Hans SelyeStudied the effects of long-term (chronic)

stressStress is- “The nonspecific response of the

body to any demand made upon it”Summarized his findings by proposing a

three-phase process called the general adaptation syndromealarm reactionstage of resistancestage of exhaustion

Other Influential ResearchersSimeons

Psychosomatic diseaseBenson

Relaxation responseVogt

Autogenic trainingJacobson

Progressive relaxation

Stress TheorySeveral theories explain the causes of stress:

Holmes and Rahe- Life events theory: stress occurs when the situation requires more resources than are available

Kobasa and colleagues- Hardiness theory: one’s attitude toward the events determines stress, not the event.

Social support theory: insufficient social support for responding to event

Fight or flight response

Is the glass half full or half empty?A situation can be stressful or not -- it all

depends on your perception of the eventA response to stress can be effective or not --

it depends on your resources and coping strategies

Refer to table 1.2 (p.13)

Relationship between stress and illness….

Goals for Stress ManagementDo not eliminate all stressUse as a motivator for peak performanceStress can be useful, stimulating, and

welcomeLimit harmful effects

Limit the harmful effects of stress while maintaining life’s quality and vitality.