Journal Warm-Up  Close your eyes and imagine 3 images that suggest positive mental health. In your journal describe these images and also define mental health in your own words

What is a Stressor  A person, place or situation that places a demand on the mind or the body.

Common Stressors  Moving  Arguing with parents or friends friends  Acne  Overweight  Taking a test

Common Stressors  Death of a family member  Getting in trouble at school  Making a school team  Peer pressure  Loud noises

Common Stressors  Breaking up with girl/boyfriend  Getting glasses/braces  Getting Arrested  Being sick or getting hurt

WRECKING THINGS EXPLOSIONS: Someone always gets hurt VENTS: Always about feelings. No one gets mad or hurt. RESTS: Ways to take a break from feelings

Responses to Stressful Situations and Positive Coping

Components of The Stress Response  Autonomic Nervous System: Action within the central nervous system that is “reflexive.” 1. Sympathetic Nervous System 2. Parasympathetic Nervous System

 The Sympathetic Nervous System takes an active role in triggering the stress response.  The Sympathetic Nervous System effects include increased:  arousal  blood pressure  heart rate  respiratory rate  physical activity Fight or Flight = ALARM Stage

How your body responds to stress  Your body prepares to fight the stressor or flee from it.  Adrenaline, (“the stress hormone”) is released when a demand is placed upon us. The release of adrenaline causes many physical changes in the body.

Physical Reactions of Fight or Flight Response  Hearing ability increases  Breathing increases  Sugar in blood increases giving you more energy  Digestion slows down  Amount of stomach acid increases  Liver releases sugar for quick energy  Immune system slows down, causing an increased chance of becoming ill

What can trigger the Fight-or-Flight Response?  Fear  Severe Pain  Anger

What can trigger the Fight-or-Flight Response?  Conflict  Embarrassment  Other threatening situations

Acts as an equalizer Acts as an equalizer Brings body functions back to stability Brings body functions back to stability Resistance Stage

Exhaustion Stage  Energy is depleted  Body returns to normal if stress is removed  Body returns to alarm stage if stress continues which can result in stress-related diseases:  Skin disorders  Gastrointestinal upset  Menstrual irregularities  Cardiovascular disorders  Teens in Stress Teens in Stress Teens in Stress

How Your Body Responds to Stress  Not all stressors are bad stressors.  Eustress – “good stress” or dealing with the stressor in a positive way.  Distress – “bad stress” or an unhealthy way of handling a stressor.  The body responds to all stress the same way whether the stressor is a bad stress or a good stress.

Healthy Amounts of Stress  Stress acts as a motivator, but too much stress can lead to mental illness such as anxiety or depression.

Stress-Related Diseases & Conditions  Gastrointestinal disorders  Skin Disorders  Cancer  Cardiovascular disorders  Depression  Anxiety

Stressors in the Modern World?  Unemployment  Financial difficulties  Traffic  Social frustrations  Deadlines: homework, career, taxes, bills career, taxes, bills

Stressors before Modern Civilization  Need for food  Need for water  Need for shelter  Successfully hunting and gathering  Surviving constant threats in life

Stress Management in Ancient Civilizations  Worship (spirituality/religion )  Hieroglyphics  Constellations  FINDING MEANING IN LIFE

Stress Management Today  Eat  Exercise  Hurt self  Prayer and meditation  Rx medications  Smoking/ drinking/ drugs  Talking to friends and family  Television, reading, or listening to music