Stress and Health Psychology -- Durling

1.As a group, on the top half of your chart paper, write down events in your life that cause stress. 2.On the bottom half, describe your most prominent reaction to that stress, i.e. how do you react physiologically/ mentally? o Sweaty palms, pounding chest, etc. 3.Create a personal/group definition for stress Events Reactions Definition

Stress and Health As psychology understands it… Stress - The physical and psychological (real or perceived) reactions to demanding or threatening situations o Reactionary response to stimulus Stressor – The demanding or threatening situations that produce stress o Stimulus

Stress is a normal (even essential) part of life. o Often accompanies working toward a goal or facing a challenge. Can be adaptive o In a fearful or stress causing situation, we can run away and save our lives. Can be maladaptive o If it is prolonged (chronic stress), it increases our risk of illness and health problems.

Types of Stress 1.Distress (Negative Stress) Stress that stems from acute anxiety or pressure. This type of stress can take a harsh toll on the mind and body. Superstar Stress 2. Eustress (Positive Stress) Stress which motivates and challenges the person

6 It is a process by which we appraise and cope with environmental threats and challenges. Bob Daemmrich/ The Image Works

7 1.Fight or Flight (elevator) (Interview) Walter Cannon proposed that the stress response (fast) was a fight-or-flight response marked by the outpouring of epinephrine and norepinephrine from the inner adrenal glands Stress Response System

8 2.General Adaptation Syndrome Hans Selye identified that stressed people go through three phases: (1) Alarm reaction, (2) Resistance, (3) Exhaustion EPA/ Yuri Kochetkov/ Landov Stress Response System

9 Stress that leads to elevated blood pressure may result in coronary heart disease, a clogging of the vessels that nourish the heart muscle. Plaque in coronary artery Physiological symptoms of stress People with the highest life stress scores were also the most vulnerable when exposed to an experimental cold virus. Artery clogged

Coping and Managing Stress Personal ways to control 1.External Locus of Control When people feel that chance or outside forces beyond their control determines their fate. 2. Internal Locus of Control When people feel that they control their own fate.

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12 Explanatory Style People with an optimistic (instead of pessimistic) explanatory style tend to have more control over stressors, cope better with stressful events, have better moods, and have a stronger immune system.

13 Coping with Stress Emotion-focused coping is when we cannot change a stressful situation, and we respond by attending to our own emotional needs.(You think about your emotions or you can avoid them.) Keeping yourself busy/distracting yourself to take mind off issue Letting off steam to other people Praying for guidance and strength Ignoring problem Building yourself up to expect the worse Women tend to use more emotion focused strategies then men

14 Personality Types Type A is a term used for competitive, hard- driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone people. Type B refers to easygoing, relaxed people (Friedman and Rosenman, 1974). Type A personalities are more likely to develop coronary heart disease. Activity: fill out Type A Type B questionnaire

15 Coping with Stress Problem-focused coping and Emotion-focused coping. Reducing stress by changing events that cause stress or by changing how we react to stress is called problem-focused coping. Taking control Seeking information Evaluation the pros and cons

Develop An Internal Locus of Control (Article Review) 1.Read the article. 2.What does research say about people with an internal locus of control? 3.What are the 5 ways to Develop An Internal Locus of Control? 4.What are some tips that are mentioned? 16

Develop An Internal Locus of Control 1.Realize that you always have choice to change your situation. 2.When you feel trapped, make a list of all possible courses of action. 3.You may want to also brainstorm with a friend to get more ideas 4.When you have a list, evaluate each one and decide on the best course of action for you. 5.Repeat this practice when you feel trapped in frustrating situations in your life. Tips: 1.Notice your language and self talk. 2.Phase out phrases like, ‘I have no choice’, and, ‘I can’t…” You can replace them with, ‘I choose not to,’ or, ‘I don’t like my choices, but I will…’ 3.Your attitude affects your stress level more than you may realize. 17

18 Social Support Supportive family members, marriage partners, and close friends help people cope with stress. Their immune functioning calms the cardiovascular system and lowers blood pressure. Bob Daemmrich/ Stock, Boston