Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings PowerPoint® Lecture Slide Presentation prepared by Michael Hall 3 Managing Stress: Coping with Life’s Challenges

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Define stress. Explain the three phases of the general adaptation syndrome, and describe what happens physiologically. Examine the health risks that may occur with chronic stress. Discuss psychosocial, environmental and self-imposed sources of stress. Examine the special stressors that affect college students and strategies for reducing risk. Explore techniques for coping with unavoidable stress. Examine the role of spirituality in enhancing the ability to deal with stress. Objectives

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings What Is Stress? The mental and physical response of our bodies to the changes and challenges in our live Stressor – any physical, social, or psychological event or condition that causes the body to adjust to that situation Adjustment may cause strain or wear and tear on our bodies and minds Eustress – positive stress that presents the opportunity for personal growth and satisfaction Distress – negative stress that results in debilitative stress and strain

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings The Body’s Response to Stress General adaptation syndrome (GAS) – an adaptive response where our bodies move from homeostasis to crisis: Alarm phase “Fight or flight” response Resistance phase Exhaustion phase

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Figure 3.1 The General Adaptation Syndrome Figure 3.1

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Figure 3.2 The General Adaptation Syndrome: The Alarm Phase Figure 3.2

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Stress and Your Health Stress – a “disease of prolonged arousal” that leads to other negative health effects Highly stressed individuals are at greater risks for: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) Impaired immunity Diabetes management

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Stress and the Mind Stress may contribute to mental disability and emotional dysfunction These effects may be manifested as: Lost work productivity Difficulties in relationships Abuse of drugs and other substances Displaced anger Aggressive behavior

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Sources of Stress Psychosocial factors in our daily lives that cause stress: Change Hassles Pressure Inconsistent goals and behaviors Conflict Overload Burnout Other (overcrowding, discrimination, unemployment, poverty)

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Stress and “isms” When being different from the crowd causes stress: Race Ethnicity Religious affiliation Age Sexual orientation

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Health Disparities Health effects of excessive stress by population: Black Americans have higher rates of hypertension, CVD Gay men and lesbians have higher rates of suicide and are more likely to be victims of violence

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Environmental Stress Stress that results from events occurring in the physical environment opposed to social surroundings: Floods Hurricanes Earthquakes Fires Industrial disasters Background distressors – noise, air, and water pollution

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Self-Imposed Stress Self-concept: Cognitive stress system Personality types and hardiness: Type A Type B Self-efficacy External vs. internal locus of control

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Stress and the College Student Away from home Pressure to make new friends Large classes Academic pressures National College Health Assessments reported that stress was the number one factor affecting individual academic performance

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Table 3.1 Chronic Stressors for College Students Table 3.1

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Managing Your Stress Building skills to reduce stress Assessing your stressors Changing your responses Learning to cope Downshifting Managing social interactions Managing emotional responses

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Fighting the Anger Urge Anger can lead to chronic stress, a weakened immune system and raise heart attack risk by more than 2 ½ times. Five main sources of anger are related to threats to: Safety and well-being Power Perfectionism and pride Self-sufficiency and autonomy Self-esteem and status

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Fighting the Anger Urge What to do? Understand what anger is and how you tend to express it Develop an awareness and acceptance of your tendency to anger Recognize your anger patterns Learn and practice good communication Respect others and yourself

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Taking Mental Action Changing the way you think Taking physical action: Exercise Relaxation Eating right Managing your time

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Stress Management Techniques Hypnosis Massage therapy Meditation Biofeedback

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Making the Most of Support Groups Important part of stress management Members include friends, family members, and co- workers If no close support group exists for you, there are alternatives such as counseling services, clergy, instructors, mental health clinics

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Developing Your Spiritual Side: Mindfulness The physical dimension The emotional dimension The social dimension The intellectual dimension