Stress and Stress Management By Laura Ch’ng and Rabbia Ahmed

Stress

What is Stress? Stress is the physical or emotional response to a situation or event where we find ourselves in a demanding situation. Our bodies may respond negatively or positively to stress.

Aetiology of Stress Can be due to different factors: Society Genetic Environment Psychological Personal exposure all play their roles.

Pathophysiology of Stress Pathways

Aetiology mostly depends on how people deal with stress Women report that: Eat more Talk to others Go out Meet friends Men report that: Drink Alcohol Avoid others Remain isolated Avoid friends

Rate of stress Worldwide frequency is not known. In children rates are much higher especially in foster care. Women experience stress more than men.

Classification of Stress Chronic Stress Acute Stress Episodic Acute Stress

Reactions of Stress Physical stress Behavioural stress Psychological stress

Physical implications of stress Stress can make us physically sick Dampens the immune system Dries out digestive tract Impairs memory Fuels anxiety

Causes of Stress Challenges in work life and commitments Financial pressures Sleep deprivation Lack of time Work load Divorce

Symptoms of stress Fatigue Depression Isolation Agitation Irritability Headaches Gastrointestinal System upset Sleep abnormalities Overwhelmed Unable to concentrate

Stress The idea is to have right amount of stress There is no uniform right amount of stress Each of us has a different stress As stress in appropriate amount keeps us engaged with the world A goal is not a life without stress threshold

Dealing with stress Individuals deal through various thoughts and actions Youngsters mostly do exercise Elderly mostly use spiritual help

Managing stress Progressive muscle relaxant (PMR) Autogenic training (AT) Emotional freedom technique (EFT) Diaphragmatic breathing origin Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) Transcendental mediation history (TM) Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

Stress & Nurses Assess, identify and manage Physical assessment from head to toe Give patients time to talk and express their feelings. Open questions should be asked. Avoid questions that have answers in them. Responds should be recorded in notes.

Stress and nurses It is important to give: Support Education Hope of recovery Healthy diet Relaxation techniques Physical exercise Good sleep

Resources Archer, C. (2004). Stress Management for Carer’s of Young Children. Childcare and children's health, 17(6), 1-4. Brunero, S., Cowan, D., Grochulski, A., & Gravey, A. (2006, August 6). Stress Management for Nurses. New South Wales Nurse’s Association. Retrieved March 15, 2012, from oklet.pdf Department of Health and Human Services. (2008). Exposure to Stress: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals. Department of Health and Human Services, 136, ii - Section 2: 14. Lumpkin, M. (2007, June 1). The Pathophysiology of Stress. The Middle East Cancer Consortium. Retrieved March 15, 2012, from mecc.cancer.gov/larnaca/1_m_lumpkin.pdf Psychological Society. (2012, January 1). Understanding and Managing Stress. Australian Psychological Society. Retrieved March 15, 2012, from The Better Health Channel. (2011, August 1). Work Related Stress. The Better Health Channel. Retrieved March 23, 2012, from related_stresswww.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Work- related_stress

Resources Grogan, S., & Murphy, K. (2011). Anticipatory Stress Response in PTSD: Extreme Stress in Children. Journal Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 24(1), doi: /j x JianLi, W., Keown, L., Patten, S. B., Williams, J. A., Currie, S. R., Beck, C. A., &... El-Guebaly, N. A. (2009). A population-based study on ways of dealing with daily stress: comparisons among individuals with mental disorders, with long-term general medical conditions and healthy people. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44(8), doi: /s Varvogli, L., & Darviri, C. (2011). Stress Management Techniques: evidence-based procedures that reduce stress and promote health. Health Science Journal, 5(2), Horiuchi, S., Tsuda, A., Kim, E., Hong, K., Park, Y., & Kim, U. (2010). Relationships between stage of change for stress management behaviour and perceived stress and coping S. Japanese Psychological Research, 52(4), doi: /j x Singer, T. (2012). The Perfect Amount. Psychology Today, 45(2),