Stress and Health
What is stress? Arousal of one’s mind and body in response to demands made on it Eustress Positive Distress Negative Stressor Frustration Daily hassles Life Changes
Conflict Approach-approach conflict Avoidance-Avoidance Least stressful Each goal is desirable Avoidance-Avoidance Lesser of two evils Approach-Avoidance Good and bad at the same time Multiple Approach-Avoidance Several choices are present and each has positive and negative aspects
Personality and Stress Type A More intense Do things faster More pressure placed upon themselves More prone to stress and health problems Type B More laid back Handle stress easier Less motivation
Responses to Stress Self-efficacy expectations Psychological Hardiness Commitment Challenge Control Sense of humor Predictability Social Support
What happens to your body when stress occurs? General Adaptation Syndrome The Alarm Reaction Fight or flight Sympathetic Nervous System is activated Adrenaline and noradrenaline Corticosteroids The Reaction Stage Find a way to cope with the stressor Exhaustion Stage Adrenal and other glands can no longer produce hormones Muscles are worn out Can develop serious health problems
Stress and the Immune System Produces blood cells that destroy disease causing micro-organisms Steroids from the body suppress the functioning of the immune system Social support makes the immune system function better
Other Physical Responses to Stress Headaches Tension Migraine More in Type A personalities Pollen, drugs, stress induced Heart Disease Higher blood pressure and cholesterol Cancer Immune system needed to fight off cancer cells Stress can cause cancer
Coping Mechanisms Defensive Coping Active Coping Substance Abuse Aggression Withdrawal Denial, regression, repression, etc. Active Coping Sublimation Changing negative thoughts Relaxation Techniques