Stress!!!

Health Education

Find a talk-partner… What stresses you out? – make a list

What are some ways you handle it or how could you handle it?

Are there destructive ways of ‘handling’ stress?

Stress The body’s reaction to everyday demands or threats

Stressors The causes of stress – could be many things

Eustress Positive Stress (Good) Example: Athletic competition

Distress Negative Stress (Bad Example: A bully

Introduction to Stress

How stress effects the body Stages of stress

1. Alarm Stage -1st stage of stress response when the body & mind go on high alert!

Homeostasis: All of your body’s systems functioning smoothly. Your mind at ease – Normal Balance!

Adrenaline: an emergency hormone released by the adrenal gland to prepare the body for stress response

“Fight or Flight Response” : Immediate reaction of the body. Prepares you to “fight” the stressor or “take flight” & escape.

Section 3.2 How Stress Affects Your Body

Alarm Stage

4) Breathing rate increases.

5) More sugar released into blood. Ability of blood clot increases.

6) Flow of blood to skin reduced. Sweating increases.

8) Pupils open wide.

10) Lump forms in throat as muscles contract.

3) Flow of blood to brain increases.

2) Heart rate and blood pressure increase.

7) Flow of blood to digestive system reduced. Digestion slows. More stomach acid produced.

1) Adrenaline released into blood.

9) Muscles tense. More energy produced by cells.

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Fight-or-Flight Response

STRESSSTRESS G.A.S. – G.A.S. – General Adaptation General Adaptation SyndromeSyndrome

The Resistance Stage-The Resistance Stage- (the body attempts to REGAIN balance… (the body attempts to REGAIN balance… - all the physical changes that took place - all the physical changes that took place in in the alarm stage are reversed… the bodythe alarm stage are reversed… the body returns to its normal state of function.returns to its normal state of function.

BOTH THE ALARM & RESISTANCE BOTH THE ALARM & RESISTANCE STAGES STAGES ARE NORMAL AND HEALTHY… but…. ARE NORMAL AND HEALTHY… but….

Stages of stress cont…

2. Resistance Stage: 2nd stage of stress response. Where the

body tries to repair damage caused by stressful event & return to “normal”

3. Exhaustion Stage: 3rd stage resulting in a tired feeling that

lowers one’s activity level “Fatigue”

Early Signs of StressPhysical Signs

Muscle Tension Headache Upset Stomach Pounding Heart Shortness of breath Increased sweating Skin Rash

Early Signs of StressBehavioral Signs

Overeating or hardly eating at all

Sleep problems Hurrying, talking fast Withdrawing from

relationships Reckless Behavior

Early Signs of Stress Emotional Signs

Irritability, Anger Impatience Nervousness Increased crying Unable to concentrate Negative Thinking Excessive Worry Critical of others

Stress & Illness Lowered Resistance

Lowers the immune system You may get sick more often (see chart on next slide)

Increases Stomachaches Stress affects the way food moves through your stomach (gas,

cramps, diarrhea, or constipation) Stress also increase the amount of stomach acid

Many doctors believe in a link between stress and increased chances for Ulcers – open sores in the lining of the stomach

Asthma Respiratory disorder, difficulty breathing. Stress can trigger the

attack High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease

Damage your heart muscle and blood vessels over time High Blood Pressure Is known as the “silent killer”

Headaches Stress can trigger painful headaches A “Migrane” is a type of headache caused when blood vessels

in the brain and scalp narrow – limiting the supply of oxygen to the brain. The stretching of the blood vessels causing a painful throbbing. certain foods (chocolate & caffeine) can also cause headaches.

Stress & Personality Personality types

Type A Rushed and Competitive Try to accomplish as much as possible

Type B Calmer Non-competitive No regard towards deadlines and time

Most people are a combination of both!

Which one are you? Refer to the class activity

                                                                                            

2 basic ways to react to stressors:

1. Eliminate the stressor

2. Change the way you react to the stressor

Managing Stress / Techniques Confronting the problem

Don’t Ignore It! Time Management

Get organized (calendar, planner, watch) Physical Activity

Walk, Run, Play, etc Relaxation

Relax Mental Rehearsal

Practice the entire event (public speaking) Biofeedback

Medically advanced, testing the body’s response to stress, then controlling it (back pain) (attach sensors)

Humor Laugh

Getting Help from others Extra help – don’t try to do it all yourself

                      

Stages of LossKubler-Ross stages that both dying & grieving people go through

1. Denial : Can’t believe it has happened2. Anger : “Why Me?”3. Bargaining : Try to promise in order to get

object / person back4. Depression : Silence & Withdrawal5. Acceptance : Dealing with loss HOPE: can actually operate through all 5

stages. It can make a person think/hope things may get better.

Grief Terms & InfoClosure

A coming to an end of the most intense parts of the grieving process

Delayed Grief Response A putting off of the most intense stages of

grief.