 On a scale of 1 to 10, how stressed do you feel right now?  On a scale of 1 to 10, how stressed would you say you normally feel?  Of the following, which most describes you?

It is not the events that happen to us that cause us stress, but how we perceive those events. How do YOU appraise stress? Take a moment to reflect Think about….. Why is it that when a teacher assigns a paper/project there is different reactions in the room? Observe your fellow peers next time for this…

 1. Daily Stress That which we live with on a day-to-day basis  2. Significant Changes That is, moving, divorce, going to college  3. Catastrophes That which takes us by surprise

Sounds? In fact, research demonstrates that people suffer more over small events that large events. WHY? WHY?

 Because they are often cumulative AND ongoing  Think about stresses in your life – e.g., bill. Just when you start to get ahead, you are hit with another bill

Alarm-physiological arousal occurs Resistance- physiological arousal stabilizes Exhaustion-body begins to shut down MY FAMILY PICTURE-> - >

Frustration and stress can sometimes be avoided by obtaining coping skills, however…… Most people HATE change, even if their current situation is horrible – it seems that we sometimes are so afraid of change because of the UNKNOWN!!

It appears that a small amount of stress is optimal for task completion and awareness, but at a certain level, it becomes disruptive to learning or remembering

 Fight-or-flight – sympathetic system is activated  Parasympathetic system brings system back to homeostasis

Burnout – physical, mental, emotional exhaustion due to ongoing emotionally demanding situations – like what? Who is most likely to suffer from burnout? Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

- Strong competitive type - Impatient/time urgency - Anger/hostility/cynicism - Unable to handle other’s mistakes - Likes to do ALL the work themselves - Workaholics Which of these characteristics is most associated with heart disease?

Having difficulty restraining yourself from hurrying other’s speech? Doing more than one thing at a time? Feeling guilty if you use extra time to relax? Tending to get involved in a lot of things at one time? Racing through yellow lights when you drive?

Needing to win in order to get enjoyment out of things? Needing to move, walk and eat rapidly? Taking on too many responsibilities? Getting angry when you have to wait on line? Having an intense desire to better your position in life and impressing others?

Hostility and competitiveness may undermine social support from others that might buffer the effects of stress Cynicism and impatience might lead to poor health habits, such as a lack of exercise, excessive consumption of convenience foods, or denial of symptoms

You know who you are too……. Are you – Relaxed most of the time? Easygoing? Amicable? Adaptable?

 Catecholamines- ◦ Epinephrine (adrenaline)- produced by adrenal gland ◦ Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)-produced in brain stem ◦ Dopamine

Glucocorticoids – when people are stressed, these hormones are released which appear to inhibit the ability to recall information. Those of you who have test anxiety and can’t remember anything, RELAX, it is the chemicals!!!! Really, you need to relax before a test. If you know that looking over your notes increases your anxiety, why do it?

Associated with….. Colds Ulcers Asthma Headaches Chronic back pain Stroke Heart Disease AIDS

Depression Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Anxiety Disorders Eating Disorders