1. Chapter 4
Stress and Your Health

2. Lesson Objectives Describe the 5 different causes of stress
Describe the body’s physical response to stress
Differentiate between positive and negative stress
Describe how stress can make you sick

3. What is Stress? Stress is the body’s and mind’s response to a demand
Stressor- any situation that puts a demand on the body or mind
There are several different things that can cause stress in someone’s life
Stress can be broken down into 5 categories

4. The 5 Stressors Environmental stressors Biological stressors
(pollution, poverty, noise, and natural disasters)
Biological stressors
(illness, disability, and injury)
Thinking stressors
(any mental challenge)
Behavioral stressors
(lack of sleep, no exercise, and drug use)
Life change stressors
( Death in family, marriage, any significant life change)

5. Physical Response to Stress
Anytime we are put in a stressful situation our body responds to help use react to the stressor
(ex: stopping a soccer goal, moving out of the way of a fast moving car)
The physical changes that happen in the body during a time of stress are know as the Fight or Flight response

6. The Fight or Flight Response
During the fight or flight response the body releases the hormone Epinephrine (adrenaline)
The release of epinephrine triggers different responses in the body including
Increases breathing for more oxygen
Faster heart rate to increase blood flow to help transport oxygen to the muscles
Muscle tension
Dilated pupils (increased vision)
Digestion slows down
Blood sugar level increases to provide more energy

7. Emotional and Behavioral Response to Stress
Everyone has the same physical response to stress, but not everyone has the same emotional and behavioral response to stress
A person’s response to a stressful event depends on whether they see the stressor as positive or negative.

8. How Can Stress Be Positive?
Stress that helps a person achieve a goal by working harder is an example of positive stress.
Positive stress is known as eustress
(studying for a final exam)

9. Negative Stress
Stress that can make a person sick or keep them from reaching a goal is negative stress
Negative stress is known as distress
(ex: stressing too much over a final exam)

10. How Can We Make Stress Work For Us
Think Optimistic
Prepare yourself
Only concentrate on what you can control
Don’t worry about what is out of your control
Do your best!!!

11. How Stress Can Make You Sick
If your body experiences prolonged stress it can weaken the immune system and result in illness
Stress over a long period of time can also lead to heart disease and other illnesses like:
Cold and flu
Headache
Stroke
Heart disease
Chronic fatigue
Anxiety disorders
Insomnia
Depression

12. Quick Recap What are the 5 causes of stress?
What are three physical reactions to stress?
What is Eustress?
What is Distress?
What are three illnesses that are the result of prolonged stress?

13. Dealing With Stress
Key Terms
Resiliency-the ability to recover from illness, hardship, and other stressors
Asset- a skill or resource that can help a person reach a goal
Prioritize- to arrange items in order of importance

14. Take Care of Yourself
Exercise regularly
Get enough rest
Eat Right

15. Learn to Relax
Breathing Exercises
Tension-Releasing Exercises