Ch 10: Stress Management Stress = Stressor = “Fight or Flight” Distress vs. Eustress Personality & Stress (Type A, Type B & Type C) 6. Exercise & Stress
Stress The mental, emotional, and physiological response of the body to any situation that is new, threatening, frightening, or exciting Good news–it’s self controlled!
Stressor The event that causes stress Student examples:
Physiological response to stress: “Fight-or-Flight”
The Mind/Body Connection The way you express your emotions & feelings can either boost or weaken your immune system! Evidence that every illness from colds & headaches to HD, high BP, sleeping problems & cancers are influenced by your feelings/emotions!
Eustress & Distress An individual’s reaction to a stress-causing agent determines whether that stress is positive (eustress) or negative (distress) Eustress: Positive stress; health and performance continue to improve even as stress increases Distress: Negative stress; unpleasant or harmful stress under which health and performance begin to deteriorate
Marriage is an example of positive stress, also known as eustress
Vandalism causes distress or negative stress
Perceptions and Health An optimistic style tends to increase the strength of the immune system A pessimistic style tends to weaken the immune system
Personality & Stress Type A: Behavior pattern characteristic of a hard-driving, overambitious, aggressive, at times hostile, and overly competitive person Type A individuals often set their own goals, are self-motivated, work on many tasks at the same time, are excessively achievement-oriented, have a high degree of time urgency
Personality & Stress Type B: Behavior pattern characteristic of a calm, casual, relaxed, and easy-going individual Type B people take one thing at a time, do not feel pressured or hurried, seldom set their own deadlines
Personality & Stress Type C: Behavior pattern of individuals who are just as highly stressed as Type A’s but do not seem to be at higher risk for disease than Type B’s Type C’s are highly committed to what they are doing, have a great amount of confidence in their ability to do their work, are in constant control of their actions, and enjoy their work
Anger and hostility can increase the risk for disease Studies indicate that hostile people who get angry often, more intensely, and for longer periods of time have up to a threefold increased risk for CHD and are seven times more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack by age 50
Exercise & Stress During vigorous aerobic exercise lasting 30 minutes or longer, endorphins (morphine-like substances) are thought to be released from the pituitary gland Endorphins not only act as painkillers but also seem to induce the calming effect often associated with aerobic exercise & improve mood Physical activity: An excellent tool to control stress
Attitude “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It will make or break you.
Attitude The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We can’t change our past…or the fact that people will act in a certain way. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me & 90% how I react to it.” Chuck Swindoll
Ch 10: Stress Management Stress = Stressor = “Fight or Flight” Distress vs. Eustress Personality & Stress (Type A, Type B & Type C) 6. Exercise & Stress
Labs: 10A, 10B & 10C Pages: 371 - 376