Stress and The Human Body A look at how the human body reacts to stress

STRESS  The body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response.

STRESS  Evolutionists credit the survival of human species to our ability to react to stressors that we encounter in our environment.

STRESS  Physiologist refer to the human reaction to stress as the “General adaptation Syndrome”.

General Adaptation Syndrome  There are three distinct phases to the General Adaptation Syndrome: The Alarm Phase, The Resistance Phase, and The Exhaustion Phase.

A Graphical Representation of the General Adaptation Syndrome

If that last slide startled you a little you probably experienced the first phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome called the. If that last slide startled you a little you probably experienced the first phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome called the Alarm Phase.

Alarm Phase  In the Alarm Phase the body gets ready for through a number of rapid physiological changes  In the Alarm Phase the body gets ready for fight or flight through a number of rapid physiological changes.

Alarm Phase  Physical changes and their benefits which occur during the Alarm Phase: – Adrenaline is Released getting body ready for fight or flight quickly. –Heart Rate increases, allowing oxygen and nutrients to get to the muscles and brain quickly while transporting waste out of the body.

Alarm Phase –Respiration increase, oxygen uptake quickly while also purging carbon dioxide from the body. –Arteries constrict causing blood pressure to increase which moves blood throughout the body at a higher rate of speed.

Alarm Phase –Pain tolerance increases which allows a person to be able to continue to fight or flee without becoming incapacitated by injuries. –Digestion slows/stops and the water that was being used in the digestion process is pushed out to the skin to be used as perspiration to keep the body cool.

The Resistance Phase  During the Resistance Phase the body pulls itself out of the alarm phase in an attempt to reestablish equilibrium within the body (homeostasis).  Without this phase the body would breakdown and die of exhaustion.

The Exhaustion phase  During the exhaustion phase the body rests, recuperates and replenishes nutrients until it has reached homeostasis.

The Danger of Stress  When a person is subjected to either physical or mental stressors for extended durations the exhaustion phase is cut short which eliminates the body’s ability to heal itself.  Not only does this eliminate the body’s ability to heal itself but now the body spends greater time in the alarm stage.

The Danger of Stress  You need only to look at the diseases and disorders associated with stress to see the dangerous impact stress can have on a person’s health.

The Danger of Stress  Diseases and disorders associated with high amounts of stress: –Cardiopulmonary Disease –Stroke –Cancer –Diabetes –Depression –Anxiety –Sleep Apnea –Insomnia

Coping Strategies  People who find themselves under a great deal of stress can rely on coping strategies to counteract stresses destructive manner.

Coping Strategies  Deep Breathing exercises  Exercising (sublimation)  Talking  Organizing  Mental imaging (projection)  Hobbies  Laughter