STRESS

Stress and Health A person’s feeling of being unable to meet a certain expectation The event or situation that causes stress is a stressor. Not all stressors are equal. I am not stressed by backpacking in the wilderness, but you might be. I am, however, stressed by ice-skating, a situation where I fall on my backside often and cling to my wife for stability. Harmful stress that causes us anxiety is called distress

Stress and Health Increased stress impacts our immune system Can cause a build up of steroids in our body and sucks away energy that would normally be used fight off disease Headaches are often caused by prolonged tension of the muscles in our neck, shoulders & scalp Migraines are more rare and more severe: can have physical or stress-related triggers

Stress and Health Cancer: stress can impact developing & fighting cancer Our body normally develops cancerous cells but destroys them easily Genetics, lifestyle patterns and other factors play into a person’s cancer experiences as well.

Conflict Situations Many times, stress comes from situations in which we must make a decision. Conflict Situation: when a person must choose between two or more options, usually with opposing motives

Conflict Situations Approach-Approach: must choose between two attractive options. Ex. Do you order the lobster or the steak? Typically, this type of “conflict” generates low-stress Avoid-Avoid: must make a decision between two disagreeable options Ex. Your brakes stop working; do you smash into a tree or into the median wall? Stress tends to be higher, often stuck picking “between the lesser of two evils”

Conflict Situations Approach-Avoid: situation that has both enjoyable and disagreeable consequences Ex. Do I go ask my boss for a raise? Do I ask that cute girl out on a date? Double Approach-Avoid: you must choose between options that have both enjoyable and disagreeable consequences Ex. Pick up dinner from Wendy’s? fast, “delicious”, makes you fat Or make broiled salmon & steamed broccoli at home? Takes time and may be “less” delicious, but none of the “Wendy’s guilt”

Conflict Situations Deciding between waiting for your boyfriend to get off of work and just heading out with your friends w/o him. Double Approach-Avoid: both options will have positive & negative consequences Deciding between two puppies. Approach-Approach: either way, you get a puppy!

Conflict Situations Deciding between studying for Chem. or for Govt. Avoid-Avoid: unless you really enjoy studying for one Do you choose to meet your biological father? Approach-Avoid: could lead to a healthy resolution of feelings of guilt or anger, could lead you to be even more uncomfortable with the past.

Conflict Situations The chess player’s decision to make a strange move that puts his king more at risk. Approach-Avoid: She is more open to an attack, but he might also get her opponent to make a hasty decision. Just about any round in the game “Would you rather…” Avoid-Avoid: Between burning or freezing to death, I’d rather not make the decision. Choosing between Cleveland State and OU main campus Double Approach-Avoid: Cleveland State would be cheaper & you wouldn’t have to leave your fwiends (that also stay…), but OU Main would be a great opportunity for you to really stretch your wings.