Stress Management

Phyllis M. Connolly PhD, RN, CS

Stress

• A person-environment interaction

• Sources– Biophysical– Chemical– Psychosocial– Cultural

External stimuli

Emotional feelings

Peripheral physiological

changes

Central nervous system arousal

Internal stimuli

Genetic equip

Past experience

StressIndividual perception of stressor-conscious

or unconscious

Stress

Sources of Stress

• Heat-cold• noise• radiation• exhaustion• physical inactivity• alcohol• nicotine• caffeine

More Stress

• Anger• Frustration• Hostility• hopelessness• Unrealistic

expectations• Work Pressures

Responses to Stress

• Demanding situation--stressor

• Internal state– Tension– Anxiety– Strains

Anxiety

• Normal--response to a threat to one’s safety, well-being, or self-concept

• Charateristics– Appropriate to the threat– Anxiety can be relieved– Can cope either alone or with some support– Problem solving slow but still usable

Abnormal Anxiety

• Occurs more frequently, longer and more intense

• Interferes with one’s life

• Function is more impaired

• Disproportionate to threat

• Blocks learning from the experience

Psychosis

Brief Reactive Psychosis

Panic

Dread

Loneliness

Rituals

Avoidance

Psychosomatic

Heartpound

Palpitations

Shakiness

Butterflies

All senses alert

Calm

Daydreaming

Sleep

Panic

Acute and Chronic

Normal

RELATIVE SEVERITY OF ANXIETY(Haber p.437)

Crisis Intervention

• Deep breathing

• Self Talk

• Time out

• Leave the situation

• Visualization

• Music

Prevention

• Diet and nutrition

• Exercise and physical activity

• Self-help groups

• Assertiveness training

• Having fun

• Playing

Prevention Cont.

• Visualization

• Meditation

• Hypnosis

• Meet Spiritual Needs

Prevention Cont.

• Massage

• Acupressure

• Acupuncture

• Biofeedback

• Progressive Relaxation

• Therapeutic touch

Resources

• Audiotapes

• Books

• Courses– Tai Chai– Stress Management– Assertiveness Training– Water Exercise