1. STRESS AMERICA’S #1 HEALTH PROBLEM

2. WHAT IS STRESS?

3. WHAT IS STRESS?
EUSTRESS - Stress can be positive...

4. WHAT IS STRESS?
DISTRESS: However, too much stress creates a state of distress resulting in the “flight of fight” syndrome.
Chronic distress can be disastrous.

5. Nature of Stress - External Events
Homework, Grades, Deadlines
Relationships (Home/Work)
Parents
Friends, Boyfriends, Girlfriends
Non – friends!
Travel to school (alarm, missed buss, late to class, etc.)
Media / Environmental events
Terrorism, War, Politics, Etc.

6. Nature of Stress - Perception of Events
Anxiety, fear, self pity, hopelessness, lack of direction, over commitment, etc.
Human beings are the only species “capable” of thinking themselves into stressful situations!
We are the only creatures with the ability to become very anxious about the past and the future.

7. Nature of Stress - Stress Response to Perceptions
A stimulus (physical, emotional, imagined) is perceived as stressful:
The nervous, endocrine and immune systems are activated.
Nervous/Respiratory system:
Heart Rate Increases
Blood Pressure/Flow
Muscles Tense for battle
Fast, shallow (thoracic) breathing

8. Nature of Stress - Stress Response to Perceptions
Endocrine/Immune systems
Stress Hormones released for “flight or fight”
Adrenaline (Norepinephine and epinephrine)
Cortisol
Chronic stress, not relieved, can overtax and compromise the entire immune system.

9. Nature of Stress - Stress Response to Perceptions
Chronic stress has been linked to seven out of ten leading causes of death, including:
- heart disease - cancer
- anxiety - accidents
- depression - lung ailments
- suicide

10. Stress Management Techniques
There are a variety of techniques to help manage stress that we will discuss over the next few days…
Exercise is one of the best
Deep Breathing
Journalizing