Environmental Stressors Teen Stress Management Eagan High School
Environmental Distressors Natural disasters Floods Earthquakes Hurricanes Fires
Environmental Disasters Chemical spills Accidents at nuclear plants Gas fumes
Environmental Distressors Occur infrequently Generally affect a more local population Larger numbers in a small area
Background Distressors Noise Air Pollution Chemical Pollution Crowding Urban Commuting
Background Distressors Affects may not be apparent for a long time, decades If person cannot escape background distressors, they might suffer from constant state of resistance and develop stress- related disorders
Overload A condition in which we feel over- stimulated by the demands made on us We suffer from: Excessive time pressure Excessive responsibility Lack of support Excessive expectations of ourselves and those around us
Stress Burnout Physical and mental exhaustion resulting from excessive stress.
Physical Signs of Stress Pupils dilate Hearing sharpens Saliva decreases Heart rate increases Blood pressure increases Digestion slows Blood flow to muscles increases Muscles tighten Nervous, shaky Upset stomach Rash Increased breathing Chest pains Dizziness
Emotional Signs of Stress Apathy Anxiety Irritability Mental fatigue Denial Restlessness Helplessness Crying Depression Anger Panic attacks Racing thoughts Mood changes Lack of concentration
Behavioral Signs of Stress Nail biting Tapping Pulling hair Grinding teeth Pacing Nervous laughter Avoiding things Doing things to extremes Legal problems Impulsive Risk taking behaviors Gambling
Cognitive Signs of Stress Things that you tell yourself “I can’t do this” “I am not good at this” “Why do I put myself in these situations?” “This is going to turn out bad”
STRESS AND THE LIFESPAN
Infants and Toddlers
Children – Elementary/MS Age
Teens
Young Adults
Parents
Older Adults/Grandparents
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs