1. Session 1: Your Body On Stress

2. Welcome! This session… … we will learn about the stress response, how it impacts our health, and identify personal stress triggers.

3. What is stress? Stress is your body’s response to anything that causes imbalance to the system.

4. Worry Negativity Illness Poor nutrition Inadequate sleep Disagreements Loss Financial Clutter Pollution Noise EnvironmentSocial ThoughtsPhysiological

5. Stress through thoughts

6. Power of Perception “Among occupationally active 44- to 58-year-old men and women, perceived stress symptoms in midlife correlated with disability 28 years later.”

7. Your stress response  What are you feeling?  Mentally  Emotionally  Physically  Where are other situations that you feel this way?

8. A Chemical Reaction

9. Why do we respond this way?

10. How do you feel now?

11. Good in the short term…  Helps us to adapt!  Cell growth is initiated by acute stress  Enhances our memory and attention

12. What about “good” stress?

13. When does stress become harmful?

14. Chronic stress cycle Stressor Reaction to Stress Wear and Tear on Body Reduced Optimum Health Increased Sensitivity to Stress

15. Long-term Consequences  Heart disease  Metabolism & Digestion  Increased risk of Diabetes  Memory & Cognition  Suppressed immune system  Chronic pain  Depression & Anxiety

16. Memory & Cognitive Function

17. Chronic Pain

18. Digestion & Metabolism

19. Immune system

21. Successful Aging Research

22. What can I do about it?

23. Summary  Stress is your body’s response to imbalance  Chronic stress is associated with chronic conditions of all types  We are the only mammals that induce stress through thoughts, memories, emotions, or anticipated stress  Perception of being stressed and sense of control are keys to interrupting the chronic stress cycle

24. Next session… … we will explore how our stress impacts others and what we can do about it.