What is Stress?What is Stress?
Psychological state Psychological state associated with associated with physiological and physiological and hormonal changes hormonal changes caused by conflict, caused by conflict, trauma, or other trauma, or other disruptive influences disruptive influences (stressors).(stressors).
StressorsStressors
Traumatic events outside the usual range of Traumatic events outside the usual range of human experiencehuman experience
Uncontrollable eventsUncontrollable events
Unpredictable eventsUnpredictable events
Events that challenge the limits of our Events that challenge the limits of our capabilities & self-conceptcapabilities & self-concept
Internal conflictsInternal conflicts
Finals exams are a good example:Finals exams are a good example:
They challenge the limits of our intellectual They challenge the limits of our intellectual capabilities.capabilities.
They carry the possibility of failureThey carry the possibility of failure
Highly Challenging EventsHighly Challenging Events
Everyday HasslesEveryday Hassles
They can make you feel They can make you feel sick, and unable to sleep sick, and unable to sleep or concentrate properly.or concentrate properly.
These can accumulate These can accumulate and create an overall and create an overall feeling of stress that we feeling of stress that we can’t blame on one can’t blame on one thing.thing.
Stress ResponsesStress Responses
STRESS
BehaviouralSleep disturbance
Use of alcohol/drugsAbsenteeismAggression
EmotionalDepression/anxiety
IrritabilityCryingSuicide
Loss of humour
CognitiveLack of concentration
Negative thoughtsWorrying
Poor Memory
BiochemicalIncreased metabolic rateAltered hormone levels
(adrenaline, cortisol, ACTH)Altered endorphin levels
PhysiologicalHigher blood pressure
Rapid shallow breathingIncreased heart rateDilation of pupilsMuscle tension
Dry mouth
Early Warning Signs of Exhaustion Early Warning Signs of Exhaustion StageStage
HeadachesHeadaches
GI disturbancesGI disturbances
Skin rashes & hivesSkin rashes & hives
Fatigue and DizzinessFatigue and Dizziness
HypertensionHypertension
Aggravation of: arthritis, colitis, asthma, ulcers, Aggravation of: arthritis, colitis, asthma, ulcers, diabetesdiabetes
Stress & Health Related Stress & Health Related BehavioursBehaviours
EXAM PERIOD =STRESS
SMOKE MORE
POOR DIET
MORE ALCOHOL
LESSSLEEP
LESS EXERCISE
Personality & StressPersonality & Stress
Type AType A
Competitive, achievement-oriented, sense of Competitive, achievement-oriented, sense of time urgency, difficulty relaxing, impatient, time urgency, difficulty relaxing, impatient, angry, hostile, outwardly confident but full of angry, hostile, outwardly confident but full of self-doubtself-doubt
Type BType B
Relaxed, easy-going, unpressuredRelaxed, easy-going, unpressured
Examples of Type A BehavioursExamples of Type A Behaviours
Thinking of, or doing, two things at once Hurrying the speech of others Unduly irritated by queues If you want something done you have to do it yourself Frequent knee jigging or rapid finger tapping Frequent use of obscenities Playing every game to win, even with children Impatience when watching someone else do something you think you could do better or faster Rapid blinking or tic-like eyebrow lifting
The Life Events Scale for StressThe Life Events Scale for Stress
Life Event Value Death of spouse 100 Divorce 73 Death of close relative 63 Marriage 50 Fired from job 47 Pregnancy 40 Sex difficulties 39 Change in finances 38 Death of close friend 37 Son/daughter leaving home 29 Trouble with in-laws 29
The Life Events Scale The Life Events Scale (continued)(continued)
Life Event Value Begin/end school 26 Change in living conditions 25 Revision of personal habits 24 Trouble with boss 23 Change in residence 20 Change in school 20 Change in recreation 19 Change in sleeping habits 16 Change in eating habits 15 Holiday 13 Christmas 12
Behavioural Stress Behavioural Stress ManagementManagement
Progressive Progressive relaxationrelaxation
YogaYoga
MeditationMeditation
HypnosisHypnosis
BiofeedbackBiofeedback
Personal Coping StrategiesPersonal Coping Strategies
Trust in timeTrust in time
Do not isolate yourselfDo not isolate yourself
Think positivelyThink positively
Keep a sense of humourKeep a sense of humour
Think of yourself as relaxedThink of yourself as relaxed
Exercise and Get a petExercise and Get a pet
Stress can be a positive Stress can be a positive thingthing
Stress is likely to be Stress is likely to be detrimental to detrimental to health only if it is health only if it is unresolved & long-unresolved & long-lastinglasting
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