STRESS

Stress Stress is the reaction of your body and mind to everyday demands or threats. Wreaks havoc on your emotional and physical body. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively and enjoy life. Learn to recognize the stressors in your life. Fact is stress is part of your daily life

Two types of Stress Eustress- Healthy positive stress Examples- Getting married Nervousness you get to play a game, perform, speak in front of people. Riding on a roller coaster Scary movie Fun challenge Distress- Unhealthy stress Examples- Anything that causes you to be unhealthy Extreme Fear and anxiety.

Stressors Cause stress Stressors can be people, objects, places events, or situations that cause you to react. Examples: Major life changes Everyday problems Physical surroundings Worrying about future Five categories of stressors Biological Environmental Cognitive or thinking- way you perceive a situation or what you expect from it. Personal behavior- ex. Negative things in the body Life situations

Stressors activity Group up with the row you are in and the one next to you.( 8 people). Each group will have one of the five categories of stressors As a group write give as many examples that you can about it. One person needs to be the scribe Everyone in group needs to brainstorm ideas At the end one person will be a spokesman to say their ideas to the class.

Body’s stress Response Automatic Body prepares itself for danger How your body and mind react is your stress response Combination of the stressor and your stress response adds up to your stress. Three stages your body goes through

1. Alarm Body and the mind go on high alert Adrenaline is released- this is the emergency hormone that helps deal with the stressor

Fight or flight Automatic stress arousal in your body Changes to your body: Breathing increases Burn metabolism Heart beats more quickly Blood pressure increases Hands feel cold and clammy

Cont. Excess heat is carried away through breathing and perspiration Body is getting itself ready for possible injury Immune system increases Natural pain killers ( Endorphins) Keeps us going - Pupils of eye enlarge

Important to Recognize About fight or flight response 1. Adaptive-supplies quick energy 2. Can have delayed and prolonged effect- high level for a long period of time 3. All integrated- all body systems are energized together Blood rushes to main parts that need it

Cool fact We have a natural innate protective mechanism that keeps us from getting too stressed. Opposite of flight or fight Body pauses for rest and recovery

2. Resistance Body tries to repair its damage from the stressful event and return to its normal state. The body can function in higher than normal level. Physical resistance to the stress reaches its peak. That is why you hear stories about people showing great feats of strength If stage continues for too long than the body and mind can show effects

3. Fatigue Results in a tired feeling that lowers one’s level of activity. Little energy to resist the stressor Three kinds of fatigue: Physical-soreness and tired Pathological-more likely to get sick Psychological-worry, depression, boredom

Stress Management Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. Eliminate the stressors in your life that you can control

Strategy’s for time management Learn how to say “ no” Avoid people who stress you out Avoid hot button topics Express your feelings instead of bottling them up Be willing to compromise Delegate responsibilities Break projects into smaller steps Don’t try to control the uncontrollable

How Resilient are you? Your ability to handle and bounce back from stress depends on many factors, including a: Confidence in yourself Sense of humor Belief in a higher power Sense of control Optimistic attitude Strong support system Healthy body Ability to adapt to change Ability to handle unpleasant emotions

How to deal with stress Many ways to reduce stress or cope but they all have to do with change When deciding on what to do, think of these four As- avoid, alter, accept, adapt. There is no “ one size fits all” solution to manage stress. How do you relax?

What stresses you the most? Writing Exercise You have to keep writing 12 minutes Write on your quiz sheet for the day The question is What stresses you the most?

Relaxation Exercise Take everything off your desk Stay in your desk and make yourself comfortable. - Close your eyes, take off shoes, put your head down etc