COLL 148: Week 3 Stress Management Presented by Prof jim schneider

What Is stress? “In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure). Stress can initiate the fight or flight response, a complex reaction of neurologic and endocrinologic systems” (medicinenet.com, 2018, para.1).

Impact of stress On our emotional and mental states: On the body: Decreased cognitive capacity Decreased IQ (in extreme cases) Anxiety Depression On the body: Lowered immune system High blood pressure Irritable Bowel Syndrome Heart disease Stroke (hypertension)

Causes of stress Though variable and numerous, causes often cited are: Financial Relationships Job School Environment Personal safety What else??

How Not to deal with stress Drugs (unless prescribed), including marijuana Alcohol Over or binge eating, especially of unhealthy foods Excessive use of electronics Denying/avoiding the cause of the stress Social isolation

How Best to deal with stress SLEEP!!! Exercise Healthy diet PRACTICE MEDITATION AND/OR MINDFULNESS (Calm app) Address causes of stress head-on, including changing behaviors/patterns that may have contributed to the stress (e.g. better time management) SEEK SUPPORT AND TALK IT OUT Take a break and do what you love

Review of week 3 Lesson Discussion Stress Management Assignment What is this Plan of Study thing? Is it due or not??

TED recommendation and Q&A Great TED Talk for this topic: In Google, look for Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend Q&A?