Chapter 9Lesson 1

Managing stress in Your Life

What is Stress?

• Stress - Is the body and mind’s reaction to everyday demands or threats

Stress and your well being

• SOMETIMES STRESS IN YOUR DAY IS MINOR AND AND GOES ALMOST UNNOTICED

• Other times it can be so strong that you may feel as if you are under a lot of pressure and out of control

Kinds of stress

• Distress – Negative stress

• Eustress – Positive stress

Stressor

• Any stimulus that produces stress

• (what causes stress)

Kinds of Stressors

• Biological – biochemical imbalances, mental, physical illnesses, disabilities or injuries

• Environmental – Poverty, pollution, crowding, noise, natural disasters

• Cognitive (thinking) – way you perceive situation or what you expect from it

Kinds of Stressors

• Personal behavior stressors – negative reactions in the body an mind caused by using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs or not exercising

Kinds of Stressors

• Life Situations – Having a relative or pet die. Parents who separate or divorce, trouble in relationships with peers

Your Body’s Stress Response

• The nervous system and the Endocrine system are active during the body’s response to stressor

• It is largely involuntary, or automatic

• It occurs in 3 stages, whether physical, emotional, positive or negative

Three Stages of Response

Stage 1 • Alarm – Body and mind go on high alert

1.Hypothalamus excited by stressor2.Autonomic nervous system is activated3.Pituitary gland activated4.Pituitary secretes hormone “Adrenaline” –

(emergency hormone)5. Fight or flight response gives energy to get you

through actual or perceived emergency

3 stages of stress

Stage 2

Resistance –Body tries to repair its damage from the stressful event and return to its normal state

- This is stage when resistance reaches its peak

- Stage where incredible feats of strength have been known to happen

3 Stages of Stress

3rd stage

Fatigue – results in feeling tired that lowers level of activity

3 Types of Fatigue

Physical fatigue- may occur at end of long day or after exercise

Pathological fatigue – tiredness brought on by overworking the body’s defense system

Psychological fatigue – can result from constant worry, work, depression, boredom, and isolation