3. Feeling A Little
Stressed Out Lately?

4. The body and mind’s reaction to everyday demands or threats.
Stress can be useful or harmful, energizing or exhausting.
How each person reacts to the stressful situation, will often determine the effect it will have on the person

5. Stress:
Stress: neutral stress which often challenges people in their day to day tasks
School
Work
Athletics
Obligations
Deadlines
Expectations

6. Eustress:
Eustress: positive stress which helps people to meet their goals
Scoring the winning points in a game
Getting a new job
Going on a date
Getting a promotion
Getting a good grade
Being recognized for a job well done

7. Distress:
Distress: negative stress which can cause too much pressure and trauma in ones life
Overworked
Failing a class
Parents divorce
Getting fired from a job
Death of a loved one

9. Stressors:
The source of stress in each persons life; people, places, and things that cause stress in day to day life
Biological
Environmental
Cognitive
Personal Behavior
Life Situations

10. Common Stressors:

11. Identify Stressors in Your Life

12. Stress Response:
Alarm-Initial Reaction: the 1st stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the body and mind are on high alert and the stress response is initiated.

13. Stress Response:
Resistance Response: the 2nd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the body is attempting to repair any damage that has been done by the stress.

14. Stress Response:
Fatigue-Exhaustion: the 3rd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the stress is not adequately dealt with, the body breaks down and health problems result.

15. Reacting & Responding to Stressors:
confront
the
stressor
Fight:
run from
the stressor
Flight:
don't respond
to the stressor
Freeze:
work out
a solution
with the
stressor
Compromise:

16. Stress Tolerance:
The amount of stress that someone can handle before they reach a state of too much stress and they experience fatigue and breakdown

17. Warning Signs of Overstressed:
Severe Headaches or Migraines
Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Constipation
Chronic Fatigue-Lack of Energy
Insomnia (Sleeplessness)
Lack of Memory-Unable to Concentrate
Irregular Menstruation
Decreased Sex Drive
Lack of Appetite
Emotional Mood Swings

18. Impact of Stress
Stress can significantly affect many of the body's immune systems, as can an individual's perceptions of, and reactions to, stress.

19. Stress Can Relate to Health Problems
Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse
Loneliness and Depression
Suicide Attempts
Psychological Problems
Ulcers
Stroke
Heart Attack
Emotional or Mental Illness
Weakened Immune System-Frequent Illness

20. Avoid
Self-Pity

21. Stress and Personalities:
Type A: competitive, high achieving; thrives on high stress lifestyle
Type B: laid back, non-competitive; avoids stressful situations
Passive: wimpy, crumbles under pressure, easily influenced by others
Assertive: firm and positive, stands up for personal beliefs, takes control of situations, influences others
in a positive way
Aggressive: hostile, forceful, intimidating, bully’s beliefs on others

23. Ego Defense Mechanism reduce stress levels when
Self
DEFENSE:
Protection
MECHANISM:
Strategies used to help
reduce stress levels when
stressful situations occur

24. Common Ego Defense Mechanisms:
Rationalization: making excuses and justifying behavior to cover up the stressful situation
Denial: pretending that the stressful situation never occurred
Ex. An older person you know is ill, but you do not believe the person may die.
Projection: blaming someone else to avoid being stressed by the situation
Ex. If you are angry with your brother, you may project your anger on him by saying “What are you so mad about?”
Displacement: taking out frustration on someone or something that had nothing to do with the stressful situation
Ex. Your boss made you stay late for work. You are angry, but afraid to say anything. When your mother calls, you yell at her for asking a simple question. You displaced the anger.

25. Common Ego Defense Mechanisms:
Substitution: replacing one action for another to conceal the stressful situation
Compensation: settling for something less than what was expected to relieve stress
Regression: resorting to child-like behaviors to relieve the stress

26. Interpersonal Conflicts:
Stress caused by conflicts between two people or groups of people
Arguments or disagreements with other people

27. Stress caused by conflicts that occur within the person themselves
Internal Conflicts:
Stress caused by conflicts that occur within the person themselves
Being torn between doing what is right for the moment, and what is right in the long run

28. Conflict Resolution Strategy:
T: Take a Time Out (at least 30 minutes)
A: Allow Each Person To Present Their Point of View
L: Let Each Person Ask Questions
K: Keep Brainstorming to Find the Best
Solution for Both Parties

29. Just Checking To See How
Stress Test
Don't Worry, We Are
Just Checking To See How
You Will Respond When
You Are Under Stress

31. Stress Management Skills:
Set & Prioritize Goals
Budget Your Time
Learn to Say No
Slow Down
Take a Time Out
Relax & Have Fun
Get Regular Exercise
Eat Healthy
Get 7-10 hrs. of Sleep per Night
Have a Support System

32. Coping Strategies: Be flexible when plan A doesn’t work out
Take a “Power Nap” when needed
Talk your problems out with a friend or a professional
If your Lost, stop and ask for directions
Laugh and Have Fun

33. Just Be