Stress

By Parker J. E. CarteStress

What is Stress?Stress is tension in your body and mindAn event or condition that requires us to cope with a given situationMentalPhysicalSocialNot all stress is badStress is a normal physical response to eventsIn small amounts, stress can help you perform under pressure while motivating you to do your best

What Are the Two Types of Stress?Stress can be classified into two major groupsEustressDistress

What is Eustress?Eustress is a term coined by Dr. Hans Selye in 1975The prefix eu- is Greek and means well or goodWhen eu- is put together with stress, it literally means good stressIt is considered a healthy stressIt gives a person a feeling of fulfillment or other positive feelingsEustress is a process of exploring potential gainsEustress allows for personal growth and satisfaction

What Are Some Examples of Eustress?Winning first place in a competition or raceBeginning a jobGetting a job promotionMaking new friendsLoveMarriageLearning a new skillHolidaysWatching a scary movieRiding a roller coasterStarting school

Is a Certain Amount of Stress a Good Thing?There are times when we cant avoid stressAt times, we want some stress in our livesA certain amount of stress is a good thing at timesControlled stress can give us the competitive edge we need for some activitiesSpeechesAthleticsCompetitionsActing

What Is the Stress Performance Connection? The Stress Performance Curve shows that for any performance-related activity, there is an optimal amount of stressWhen you are in such activities or performances, you will benefit and do better as a result of a certain amount of stressThe stress provides you with focusThe stress gives you the competitive edgeThe stress helps you think clearly and quickly

What is Distress?Distress is negative stressIt is usually caused by an event that causes stress or strainIt is unpleasant stressIt can be disease-producing stressThe term first originated between 1250 and 1300

What Are Some Examples of Distress?Death of a close friend or family memberDivorceChronic painNot having any meaningful friendshipsFinancial problemsTrouble doing school workAnxietyDepression

Effects of Long-Term DistressIf you have distress for a long period of time, you can develop serious problemsDevelop problems with your immune systemIllnessEven death could happenWe must be aware of distressors that are in our livesWe must have good ways to manage those distressors

Eustress Compared to DistressEustress is a positive form of stress that is usually related to desirable events for a personDistress has negative implicationsBoth forms of stress can be difficult on the bodyThe body itself is not able to determine the difference between eustress and distress

What Are Some of the Bodys Physical Responses to Stress?Some of the bodys physical responses to stress are visible to othersTense musclesChange in respiratory rateIncreased heart rateSkin problemsSweatingSome of the bodys physical responses to stress are not visible to others:Change in the bodys metabolismChange in blood pressure (increases for most people)Continued exposure to negative stressors is dangerousCan lead to mental and physical symptomsAches and pains in the bodyHeart palpitationsChest painDepressionAnxiety

Responding to StressSince stress is common in our daily lives, it is important to know how to deal with itIn order to deal with stress, you must be able to do the following:Learn to understand what stress isIdentify common sources of stressPractice a positive method of stress reduction on a regular basisAvoid negative methods to reduce stress in your life

Typical Responses to StressPsychologist Connie Lillas describes the three most common responses to stress by comparing it driving a carFoot on the brake: A withdrawn or depressed stress responseShut downSpace outHave very little energyHave very little emotionFoot on the gas: An angry or agitated responseKeyed upIn a heated stateOverly emotionNot able to sit stillFoot on both: A tense and frozen responseFreeze under pressureUnable to do anythingLooks paralyzedIf you get beneath the surface, youll find a very agitated person

Positive Methods of Stress ReductionExerciseTalking to a trusted personMeditationListening to musicPositive methods tend to have a positive effect on your health and well-beingIt is important to find stress reduction methods that work for you in the short time that will also have a positive effect on your long-term health

Negative Methods of Stress ReductionSmokingDrinking alcoholEating too muchAlthough these negative methods may seem to help in the short-term, they can create negative long-term health issues

What Are Some Examples of Stressors?Arguments with friends and familyLoud noisesScreaming kidsUpcoming testSpilled milkUnfinished workInability to find thingsGrief

Effect of StressorsIt doesnt matter whether your stress is good or badStress continues to add up in your bodyIf you have enough stress in your life at one time, it will cause wear and tear on your bodyThe degree of stress and how it impacts you will depend on the following:How much the stressor is in your lifeA small argument will cause a little bit of stressA large argument will cause more stressHow you view the stressorDifferent people view stressors in different waysTherefore, one stressor could cause distress for one person while causing eustress for another personHow Stress Effects the Body

Interesting StressorsSome stressors are both good and bad stressorsSuch stressors cause good stress and bad stressExamples of stressors that are both good and badRadiationExerciseHow can exercise be a good stressor and bad stressor?Exercise is usually a good stressor and good for your bodyOvertraining can cause injuries and illnessesIf you continue to exercise when your body is tired or weak, you can get an overuse injury How can radiation be a good stressor and bad stressor?If radiation is left uncontrolled, it can cause cancer.If radiation is controlled and pinpointed, it will cure some cancers.

How Can You Determine How Much Stress You Have In Your Life?There are five quick and easy ways to see how much stress you have in your lifeCheck your muscle tension by starting at your head and working your way to your toesCheck to see if you have any nervous sweatingCheck your hand temperatureCheck for a rapid pulseCheck for rapid, shallow breathing

Sources of StressThere are many ways to put stress into categoriesThis might be helpful for you to recognize your stressThree main sources of stressSituationalBodyMind

Situational StressCaused by situational stressor in your immediate environmentExampleYou are getting ready to take off in an airplane. You are praying that you wont need to use the emergency instructions that the flight attendant just explained to the passengers.The key to understanding situational stressIt is happening Now!

Body StressStress that results in physical symptomsExampleIncludes abuseDrinking too much alcoholAbusing drugsExercising too muchPeople neglecting their bodiesNot getting enough sleepNot eating proper nutritionThe key to understanding body stress It is abuse and neglect!

Mind StressCaused by seeing lifes events in a negative mannerThis applies to people who invent problems that arent there or who exaggerate problemsThese would be people that we say make mountains out of molehills.Mind stress is very commonExampleYou are reading a book, but you start thinking about something bad that happened earlier in the morning.People who mentally worry and think negative thoughts are most likely to have problems with mind stressMind stress is caused by negatively perceiving life events. Some people have a tendency to exaggerate problems or even invent problems that don't exist. We sometimes say that these people make "mountains out of molehills". Try to catch yourself being pessimistic, taking things personally or jumping to conclusions.The key to understanding mind stressNegative thinking!

Dealing With Situational StressChange your surroundings or make changes in your surroundingsCommunicateLearn how to say NoKnow when to say NoLearn time management skillsLearn to delegate to others

Dealing With Body StressLearn how to relaxExerciseAvoid stressorsPractice stretchingDo yogaPractice Mediation

Dealing With Mind StressPractice mental imagery or visualizationImagine being at a place you loveLearn to say positive things to yourself when you get stressedDont be so serious.Dont worry about it. It will be okay.Practice meditation or prayExpress your feelings through drawings

How Much Stress Is Too Much?This varies widely from person to personYou need to know your limitYour ability to tolerate stress depends on many factorsEmotional intelligenceGeneral outlook on lifeGeneticsQuality of your relationships with friends and family

What Influences Your Stress Tolerance Level?Your ability to deal with your emotionsAbility to calm yourself down when you are angry, sad, or afraidIf you are able to deal with your emotions, you will normally have a high stress toleranceYour attitude and outlookIf you have an optimistic outlook, you will usually handle stress wellThese people welcome challenges, have a great sense of humor, and they can adapt to changesYour knowledge and preparationThe more you know about a stressful problem, the better you will handle itYour sense of controlIf you have confidence in yourself, you will usually take things in stridePeople who feel like things are out of control have more problems with stressYour support networkIf you have a strong and supportive network of friends and family, you are prepared to handle the stressors life throws your wayOn the contrary, if you are lonely and isolated, you will most likely have more trouble handling stress

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms:Cognitive SymptomsAlways worryingAnxious thoughtsMemory problemsOnly sees the negative sidePoor judgment Racing thoughts Unable to concentrate

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms:Emotional SymptomsAgitatedAvoiding peopleFeeling overwhelmedDepressedGrouchy or irritableLonelinessMoodiness Short temper Unable to relaxUnhappy

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms:Physical SymptomsAchesChest painColdsConstipationDizzinessDiarrheaNauseaPainsRapid heartbeat

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms:Behavioral SymptomsAvoiding peopleEating lessEating moreNeglecting responsibilities Nervous habitsBiting nailsPacing Not sleeping enoughSleeping too much Using harmful substances to relaxAlcohol Cigarettes Drugs

Sourceswww.google.comwww.informaworld.comwww.kidshealth.orgwww.mayoclinic.comwww.medicalnewstoday.comwww.medicinenet.comwww.mentalhealth.comwww.mentalhealthamerica.netwww.nlm.nih.govwww.peacefulmind.comwww.psych.org

www.psychology.ucdavis.eduwww.researchgate.netwww.setop.netwww.stress.orgwww.tandfonline.comwww.unboundmedicine.comwww.webmd.comwww.wellness.uwsp.eduwww.wikipedia.orgwww.workhealth.orgWorld Book Encyclopedia

Hope You Enjoyed the Slide Show! Pictures by Parker J. E. CarteInformation by Parker J. E. CarteBackground by Parker J. E. Carte