Stress Sucks!!Stress Sucks!!Learn how to cope with it!!Learn how to cope with it!!

KEY STRESS TERMSKEY STRESS TERMS Stress is the reaction of

the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands.

Stressor is anything that causes stress.

Stress Response is your bodys reaction to a stressor

Chronic Stress is stress associated with long term problems beyond control

Categories of Categories of StressorsStressors

Biological Stressor, such as illness, or injuries

Environmental stressor, such as poverty noise and pollution

Cognitive, or thinking stressor, the way you handle a situation

Personal behavior stressor, such as negative reactions caused by tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs or by lack of physical activity

Life situation stressor, such as death, divorce, and situations with peers

Distress Distress (discomfort)(discomfort)

DiStress is a DiStress is a harmful response harmful response to a stressor that to a stressor that produces negative produces negative

eventsevents

* Failing a test or class* Failing a test or class* Fighting with friend * Fighting with friend

or family memberor family member* Dealing with divorce* Dealing with divorce* Being late* Being late

EUstress (excited or motivated)EUstress (excited or motivated)

A healthful A healthful response to a response to a stressor that stressor that produces a produces a positive resultpositive result

Performing in a Performing in a competition competition (play/sports/dance)(play/sports/dance)

Taking a testTaking a test Giving a Giving a

presentationpresentation Moving into a new Moving into a new

homehome

Fight or FlightFight or Flight

Your body’s response to a Your body’s response to a stressful situation is automaticstressful situation is automatic Pupils dilatePupils dilate Hearing improvesHearing improves Heart rate increasesHeart rate increases Muscles tightenMuscles tighten Sweating increasesSweating increases Adrenaline is released Adrenaline is released

Alarm ResponseAlarm Response

Alarm is the first stage in the stress response.

This is when the body and mind go on high alert.

(Flight or Fight Response)

During this stage, your body adapts to the rush created by alarm and reacts to the stressor. This is the stage in which

you to “fight” or take “flight.”

The Third stage of the stress

response, a tired feeling takes over that lowers your level of activity. Both the mind and the body

become exhausted.

Physical Fatigue – The muscles work hard for long

periods of times, often causing soreness and pain.

Physiological Fatigue – Results from constant worry,

overworked, depression, boredom, isolation, or feeling overwhelmed.

Pathological Fatigue – Brought on by over working

the body’s defense and fighting disease. Anemia, flu,

over weight, and poor nutrition are a few

examples. Drugs and alcohol can increase the feeling of

fatigue

If stress continues your body becomes extremely

tired or fatigued

• Headache

• Asthma

•Fatigue

• High Blood Pressure

•Cardiovascular Problems

• Weakened Immune System

•Difficulty Concentrating

• Mood Swings

• Risk to Substance (Drug) Abuse

• Engage in physical activity

• Look for support among friends and family

• Find a hobby or activity to relax

• Avoid using drugs

Effects of Stress

Long-term stress increases blood pressure and cholesterol-inducing

chronic hypertension

Lack of Enjoyment in Life

Personal Causes of Personal Causes of StressStress

Life events – Getting drivers license, graduation, birth, illness, divorce.

Physical stressors – pollution, noise, injury, lack of sleep, drug use

Daily hassles – time pressures, responsibilities, conflicts.

Situations involving anxiety, frustration or tension will trigger a stress response

Managing StressManaging Stress Keep a sense of humorKeep a sense of humor Plan ahead Get enough sleep Participate in regular

physical activity Eat healthy regular

meals Limit comfort foods

(sweets) & Caffeine Avoid drugs Talk with family &

friends Perform Relaxation

Techniques

Always rushingAlways rushing Constantly miss Constantly miss

deadlinesdeadlines Have trouble Have trouble

finding thingsfinding things Are overwhelmed Are overwhelmed

by demands and by demands and detailsdetails

Try to do several Try to do several tasks at oncetasks at once

Can’t decide Can’t decide what to do nextwhat to do next

Signs of Time Management Problems

AH! STRESSAH! STRESS

YOU CAN’T AVOID IT,

BUT

YOU CAN HANDLE IT!GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!