What is stress? L.O. Definition of stress – Different types of stress L.O. Describe the symptoms of stress. L.O. Identify strategies that help.

Make a list of 5 things that make you stressed?    1.   2. 3. 4. 5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaycLWgMX5w

How do you feel when you are stressed?

What do you do when you are stressed?

Starter: What do these words mean? Chronic Acute Eustress De-stress Fight or Flight GAS model

What is stress? Stress – ‘relationship between the person and the environment that is seen as taxing ones resources or damaging well-being’ - ‘response to a stressor’ Stressful events = ‘Stressors’ (a stimulus which is threatening and causes a stress response)

What is stress Dr Dan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nm95BT3MnU Psychologists have 3 definitions: Stress as an external stimulus Stress as an internal response Stress as a transaction

Stress as an external stimulus External stimulus which places strain on the individual Taking an Exam Moving House Divorce New Job

Stress as an internal response Internal reaction to a stressor Stress is happening inside the person rather than outside Stress responses – psychological and physiological changes produced by stress

Stress as a transaction Transaction between the individual and the environment – stress is seen in terms of the meanings people give to both their environment and their ability to cope with it. Stress as a transaction sees stressors and stress response resulting from how people interpret the events and their coping strategies.

Negative and Positive Aspects In short term – low levels of stress can be stimulating, motivating and desirable. Without stress life would have no challenges In the long term – stress is a negative and harmful state which threatens psychological and physical well-being

Types of stress Acute Stress (short term) Time limited events Chronic stress (long term) Stress caused by harmful but stable conditions of life Eustress Stress can have a positive influence on performance or well-being

Fight or Flight response Walter Cannon (1932) idea of flight or fight response provides a relationship between arousal and stress. ‘response to a stressor that results in a state of physiological arousal so that the individual is prepared to take flight or fight”

Acute stress response Your brain is on the look out for anything that threatens to upset it, if so it triggers off an 'alarm reaction'. The alarm reaction prepares your body for action - sometimes known simply as the 'fight or flight reaction'. Stress hormones and the action of the sympathetic nervous system prepare your body for vigorous muscular activity as follows:

What effect does stress have on the body?

The effects of stress Physiological Emotional Cognitive Behavioural Health Physiological – increased blood pressure and heart rate, expansion of air passages in lungs and possible breathing difficulties, release of adrenaline and noradrenaline Emotional – anxiety, depression, apathy, anger, helplessness Cognitive – poor concentration, distractability, short-term memory Behavioural – loss of appetite, restlessness, excessive drinking, poor sleep, confrontation or withdrawal Health – Fatigue, CHD, Ulcers, Headaches, migraines, weakened immune system

Stress as an evolutionary response Stress is an adaptive and evolutionary response Stamford University http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPS7GnromGo&feature=player_embedded

Discussion Human stress mechanisms have not evolved to cope with modern society. The mechanisms are more damaging to health than helpful. Many stress situations are not life threatening – so why do we have a flight or fight response?