Chapter 2 - Stress 1) Define stress and how the human body adapts to stress (physiologically, mentally, and emotionally). 2) Explain how stress can increase the risk of disease and infection. 3) Identify common sources of stress. 4) Identify techniques for managing stress. 5) Explain the relationship between sleep and stress.

Stress Definition -stress is the mental, emotional, and physiological responses caused by a stimulus that is either real or imaginary.

Stressor Definition – a stimulus (real or imagined) that causes a stress response. Types of Stressors Eustress - Stressors that initiate positive challenges. Distress – Stressors that initiate negative challenges.

Stress Response Definition – it is the mental, emotional, and physiological response to a perceived stressor.

4 Components of Stress Environmental Natural disaster   Natural disaster Major life events Daily hassles Family or relationship problems Demanding job Sexual abuse Assault Personal illness Chronic anxiety Major depression Mental My well-being is threatened and I’m not sure that I have the personal, financial, and social resources to make things turn out OK. Emotional Fear Anxiety Frustration Hopelessness Depression Physiological Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Changes in metabolism Changes in alertness Changes in sleep Changes in immune function.

Homeostasis Definition – a person’s normal physiologically function or balance. Examples: Resting heart rate Normal metabolism Normal blood pressure

Factors Influencing Stress Predictability Control Social Support Gender Personality Type

Personality Types Type A the person is over competitive, controlling, impatient, and aggressive. Type B the person is relaxed and contemplative. Type C the person is characterized as suppressing anger, holds emotions in, has feelings of hopelessness and despair, and exaggerates responses to minor stressors. Type D the person is vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and irritability. Type E the person perceives all stressors as a form of eustress.

Nervous System Response to Stressors The nervous system initiates the stress response by recognizing a perceived stressor. Sympathetic Division – part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates the stress response. Parasympathetic Division – part of the autonomic nervous system that slows or regulates the stress response. Hypothalamus – endocrine organ within brain that mediates the stress response by releasing a hormone called corticotrophin (greater the concentration = greater the stress response.

Hypothalmo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Endocrine response to sympathetic division 1) Hypothalamus releases corticotrophin 2) Pituitary Gland releases ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) 3) Adrenal Gland releases epinephrine and cortisol Epinephrine influence in increasing physiological functions Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands to liberate an increase of glucose released to the body for energy, can also be potentially damaging to a person’s immune system.

General Adaptation Syndrome Alarm Stage The Alarm Stage is the recognition of stressor. Resistance Stage The Resistance Stage occurs when a person’s body begins to experience homeostasis or balance. Exhaustive Stage The person at this stage experiences overload or burnout because the body goes through adrenal fatigue.

Techniques for Managing Stress Progressive Relaxation Visualization Meditation Deep Breathing Mindfulness Yoga Tai Chi Qigong Biofeedback

Mediums for Managing Stress Social Support Volunteering Communication Exercise Nutrition Sleep Time Management