Stress In Your Life Stress is an unavoidable part of life If positive It can make life fun and exciting If negative it can severely impact your physical and mental health

Stress and the Brain Scientists have determined that in some people, stress upsets a delicate balance among brain chemicals called neurotransmitters

This imbalance may cause sleep disturbances, panic attacks, and low enjoyment of life The first signs of such an imbalance can include trouble falling asleep, waking up often during the night, vivid dreams followed by lack of energy and depression

Stress Tolerance Amount of stress that you can handle before you reach a state of too much stress

Stress and Your Personality Type Personality is another factor in how you handle stress Some psychologists have grouped people into 2 types – TYPE A and TYPE B

Type A Personality Competitive, high achieving personality type that is most likely to develop heart disease

Type B Personality Seen as laid back, non-competitive personality type less likely to suffer fro heart disease May hold on to stress and be more susceptible to stress related disorders

The Hardy Personality Seems able to stay healthy despite major or even traumatic stressors

3 characteristics of Hardy Personality Change - Likes and welcomes change, viewing it as an opportunity for growth Commitment – strong sense of purpose and is committed to people, activities and principles that bring meaning to their life Control – feels influence over what happens in life, and recognizes that some things can’t be controlled

Stress During Adolescence Learning what stressors are common among teens can help you cope So can sharing feelings of stress with peers Reminds you your not alone

Stress and the Body – Mind Connection Too much pressure can raise the blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and cause other health problems

Stress and High Blood Pressure Mental and emotional stress an cause an increase In your levels of cholesterol, the fatty substance that blocks arteries

Stress and Headaches Most adults and half of all teens get headaches Most related to tension When stressed muscles in the head and neck contract

Migraine Headaches Can be triggered by stress, fluorescent lights, hormone changes, air pressure changes Arteries to brain narrow, blood flow to the brain decreases When arteries open up again endings press into the artery walls causing severe throbbing, loss of balance and changes in mood

Stress and Asthma Stress can help to trigger asthma It is important that you try to keep your stress level low

Stress and the Immune Response Prolonged exposure to stress can hurt the immune response Body cannot fight disease as well as it might if you had not gone under so much stress You may be more prone to colds, flu or even more severe infections or cancers

Psychosomatic Response to Stress Physical disorder that results from stress rather than from an injury or illness Psycho – of the mind Somatic – of the body May be minor or severe

Recognizing Signs of Stress Physical signs- Headaches, trembling or twitching, upset stomach, migraines, sweating, rash, grinding teeth, diarrhea Emotional Signs - frustration, nervousness, boredom, edginess, worrying, loneliness, confusion, crying

Recognizing signs of Stress Mental Signs – trouble reading or thinking clearly, lack of creativity, constant worry, obsessive thoughts Behavioral Signs – not eating, overeating, compulsive talking, verbal or physical outbursts, drugs, alcohol