Stress Unit 14 Lifestyle Factors

Stress Stress is a physiological (physical) and mental response to certain triggers in our environment These triggers are called ‘stressors’ The most common stressors are;- Marriage Divorce Moving house Injury/trauma Demanding work environment

Stress = normal physical response when ‘threatened’ danger—whether it’s real or imagined—the body's defences kick in the “fight-or-flight-or-freeze” reaction, or the stress response. the body’s way of protecting you. it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. stress can save your life—giving you extra strength to defend yourself, or making you slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. keeping you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration during a match or drives you to study for an exam when you'd rather be watching TV. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

The Body’s Stress Response When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones get the body ready for emergency action. Your heart beats faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breathing quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus—preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.

The negative effects of stress come about due to prolonged, continued elevated levels of the stress hormones – Adrenaline & Cortisol It is these levels of hormones that cause the health risks associated with stress These include;- Heart disease Hormonal imbalances Back/joint pain Emotional & eating disorders

Hypertension Increase in blood pressure The stress hormones cause blood pressure to increase Once the stress is relieved then the blood pressure should drop causing no long term problems If the stress isn’t reduced the constant release of stress hormones keeps the blood pressure level high Increase in blood pressure = increase in chances of suffering a stroke

Angina Pain/constricting feeling in the chest & can radiate down one or both arms Caused by lack of oxygenated blood reaching the heart An indicator of coronary heart disease Coronary arteries narrowed by fatty deposits Stress = rush of blood to heart, arteries not big enough to get it all through = not enough oxygen to heart muscle = chest pain Continued stress + narrowed arteries = increase chance of heart attack

Ulcers Ulcers are usually caused by bacterial infection Stress stimulates gastric acid production Stress may cause someone to eat poorly These can add up to too much bacteria = ulcers