Understanding Stress (1:55) Click here to launch video Click here to download print activity

Stress can affect you in both positive and negative ways.

stress perception stressor psychosomatic response

What Is Stress? How you think about a challenge determines whether you will experience positive or negative stress. Feeling stress is a natural part of life. Stress is the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands.

What Is Stress? How much the stress of an event affects you, however, depends in part on your perception of it. Perception The act of becoming aware through the senses

Stress can have both a positive and a negative effect. Reacting to Stress Stress can have both a positive and a negative effect. Negative stress can cause you to feel distracted, overwhelmed, impatient, frustrated, or even angry. It can harm your health. Positive stress can motivate you and inspire you to work harder.

Causes of Stress Stressors vary among individuals and groups. People, objects, places, events, and situations are all potential stressors.

The effect of a stressor depends on your experiences and perceptions. Causes of Stress The effect of a stressor depends on your experiences and perceptions. Stressor Anything that causes stress

Your Body’s Response to Stressors Stressors activate the nervous system and specific hormones. When you perceive something to be dangerous, difficult, or painful, your body automatically begins a stress response.

Your Body’s Response to Stressors The stress response involves three stages. Your mind and body go on high alert. This “fight-or-flight” response prepares you to defend yourself or to flee from a threat. Alarm If exposure to a stressor continues, your body adapts and reacts to the stressor. This stage lasts for a brief period. Resistance If exposure to stress is prolonged, you begin to tire and lose the ability to manage other stressors effectively. Fatigue

Your Body’s Response to Stressors Alarm begins when the hypothalamus, a small area at the base of the brain, receives danger signals from other parts of the brain. The hypothalamus releases a hormone that acts on the pituitary gland.

Your Body’s Response to Stressors The pituitary gland secretes a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands.

Your Body’s Response to Stressors The adrenal glands secrete adrenaline. Adrenaline is the “emergency hormone” that prepares the body to respond to a stressor.

Your Body’s Response to Stressors

Stress and Your Health Ongoing stress affects all aspects of your health. The physical changes that take place in your body during the stress response can take a toll on your body.

Prolonged stress can lead to a psychosomatic response. Stress and Your Health Prolonged stress can lead to a psychosomatic response. Psychosomatic response A physical reaction that results from stress rather than from an injury or illness

The Physical Effects of Stress Stress and Your Health The Physical Effects of Stress Headache A weakened immune system High blood pressure Bruxism, clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth Digestive disorders

Mental/Emotional and Social Effects of Stress Stress and Your Health Mental/Emotional and Social Effects of Stress Difficulty concentrating Irritability Mood swings

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary Define the word perception. The act of becoming aware through the senses

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary What are three cognitive stressors for teens? Poor self-esteem, personal appearance, not fitting in

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary Identify the two body systems involved in the stress response. Nervous and endocrine systems