Stress•A reaction of the mind and body to the demands of everyday life.

• The body's response to stress is generally healthy and positive.  It functions to help an individual respond and get through unusual circumstances. 

Eustress (eu - means good)

•Positive stress•When the stress has a potential good outcome or result

•Sports•Studying for a test

•Dating

Distress•Negative Stress•When the outcome is not good or has a bad effect on the person

•Forgetfulness•Headaches•Restlessness•Reckless behavior

Stressors or things that cause stress

•List some of the stress in

•Your life•Your Parents life

•Your Teachers life

How stress effects your bodyDr. Hans Selye

developed the “The General Adaptation Theory”

Three stages of stress

1.Alarm Stage2.Resistance Stage3.Exhaustion Stage

The Alarm Stage• Also called the Fight or Flight Stage

• Adrenalin is released by the adrenal glands as the body reacts to stressful situations

• This is a involuntary response by the parasympathetic nervous system

To either stand up and face your stress or run from it

Involuntary Physical Responses

• Increased heart rate

• Increased blood flow to muscles

• Digestion slows or stops

• Blushing• Sweating• Pupils widen• Liver releases glucose (for energy)

2nd Stage 2nd Stage Resistance Resistance Adaptive efforts by Adaptive efforts by

the body to cope with the body to cope with or resolve stressor.  or resolve stressor. 

Return toReturn to homeostasishomeostasis or or normal body functions normal body functions (ie breathing, heart (ie breathing, heart rate, digestion) return rate, digestion) return to normalto normal

3rd Stage - Exhaustion or Fatigue • If stress is prolonged

or persists - reserves of energy are used.  Body continues in Alarm stage mode.  Fatigue results.

• Decreased ability to concentrate and stay on task.

• Greater susceptibility to minor illnesses.

Advanced Exhaustion Stage

• Energy reserves are depleted due to prolonged stress

• Body systems begin to malfunction and there is a much greater susceptibility to serious illnesses  

Examples of potential long term stress

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Divorce

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

IllnessQuickTime™ and a

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

• The Immune System begins to weaken

• Increased use of self-medication and maladaptive self-comforting methods (mal -means bad)

• Increased irritability, poor judgment and personality changes.  Physical and emotional problems. 

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Mind-Body Connection• Can the ‘mind’

cause the body to react in a positive or negative way? (Illness)

• Most everyone agrees that there is a definite connection

• Psychosomatic illness: When the mind causes the body to become ill.

Psycho -means mindSomatic - means body

Psychoneuroimmunology

•Psych/o - means mind

•Neur/o - means nervous system or brain

•Immun/o - means immune system

•ology - means the study of

Physical Problems from Physical Problems from prolonged stressprolonged stress

Headaches

Stomach ulcers

Heart Disease

Emotional Issues

from prolonged stress

Anxiety

Stress ManagmentStress Managment Understand the causeUnderstand the cause Defense MechanismsDefense Mechanisms Deep Breathing techniquesDeep Breathing techniques Self-guided Imagery Self-guided Imagery ExerciseExercise MeditationMeditation

Breathing ExercisesBreathing Exercises Progressive relaxation - Progressive relaxation -

muscle tension and relax muscle tension and relax each part of your body each part of your body

888 rule - breath in from 888 rule - breath in from diaphragm and count to 8 diaphragm and count to 8 as you inhale, hold breath as you inhale, hold breath for 8 count and exhale as for 8 count and exhale as you count to 8you count to 8

Belly Breathing: This is Belly Breathing: This is how babies breathe. Lay how babies breathe. Lay on your back,put hands on on your back,put hands on stomach, make sure your stomach, make sure your stomach rises with cheststomach rises with chest

Coping Strategies / Defense Mechanisms

• Unconscious distortions of reality used to protect the ‘ego’ • Unconscious ways to deal with stress or anxiety

Examples of Coping Strategies

• Repression • Projection • Regression • Reaction Formation • Denial• Day Dreaming• Rationalization• Identification

Definitions of Defense Mechanisms Denial - Not accepting reality Identification - Taking on someone traits or personality

Projection - Put the blame on someone else

Reaction Formation - Acting in an opposite way

Regression - Acting like a child or younger

Day Dreaming - Fantasizing or visual imagery

Rationalization - Making an excuse Repression - Blocking thoughts or memories into the unconscious realm

Rationalization

IdentificationIdentification

DenialDenial