Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Objectives  Define Stress.  Explain the three phases of the general adaptation syndrome, and describe what happens physiologically.  Examine the health risks that may occur with chronic stress.  Discuss psychosocial, environmental and self-imposed sources of stress.  Examine special stressors that affect college students and strategies for reducing risk.  Explore techniques for coping with unavoidable stress.

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings What Is Stress?  The mental and physical response of our bodies to the changes and challenges in our lives  Stressor – any physical, social, or psychological event or condition that causes the body to adjust to that situation  Eustress – positive stress that presents the opportunity for personal growth and satisfaction  Distress – negative stress that results in debilitative stress and strain

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings ABC News: Stress Management Play Video Play Video | Stress Management

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings ABC News: Stress Management Discussion Questions:  In what situations has school, family and friends, or work caused you to eat when you are not hungry?  How is “ cortisol induced stress fat ” different than the storage of fat caused by nonstress-related excessive eating? What are the health risks for both types of fat accumulation?  How does the perception of hopelessness, helplessness, and defeat influence cortisol levels in the body?  What does “ chronic restrained eating ” refer to in the video?

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings The Body ’ s Response To Stress  “ Fight or Flight ” Response  General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) – characterized by Hans Seyle 1936; three distinct phases: 1.Alarm Phase 2.Resistance Phase 3.Exhaustion Phase

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings General Adaptation Syndrome Figure 3.1

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings The General Adaptation Syndrome: Alarm Phase Figure 3.2

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Stress And Your Health  Highly stressed individuals are at greater risks for: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) Impaired immunity Diabetes Cancer Headaches Ulcers Depression Low back pain

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Stress And The Mind  Stress may contribute to mental disability and emotional dysfunction  These effects may be manifested as: Lost work productivity Difficulties in relationships Abuse of drugs and other substances Displaced anger Aggressive behavior

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Sources Of Stress  Psychosocial sources of stress: Change Hassles Pressure Inconsistent goals and behaviors Conflict Overload Burnout Other (overcrowding, discrimination, unemployment, poverty)

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Stress And “ Isms ”  When different viewpoints and backgrounds cause stress: Race Ethnicity Religious affiliation Age Sexual orientation Other

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Environmental Stress  Stress that results from events occurring in the physical environment Floods Hurricanes Earthquakes Fires Industrial disasters  Background distressors – noise, air and water pollution

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Stress And The College Student  Away from home  Pressure to make new friends  Large classes  Academic pressures  National College Health Assessments reported that stress was the number one factor affecting individual academic performance

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings The Student Stress Scale Table 3.2

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Managing Your Stress  Building Skills to Reduce Stress Assessing your stressors Changing your responses Learning to cope Downshifting  Managing Emotional Responses Learn to laugh and cry Manage hostility and anger

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Managing Social Interactions  Making the Most of Support Groups Important part of stress management Members include: friends, family members, and co- workers If no close support group exists for you, there are alternatives: counseling services, clergy, instructors, mental health clinics

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Fighting The Anger Urge  5 main sources of anger are related to threats to: Safety and well-being Power Perfectionism and pride Self-sufficiency and autonomy Self-esteem and status  What to do? Understand what anger is and how you tend to express it Develop an awareness and acceptance of your own tendency to anger Recognize your anger patterns Learn and practice good communication Respect others and yourself

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Stress Management  Changing the way you think  Taking physical action Exercise Relaxation Eating right  Managing your time  Managing your finances

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alternative Stress Management Techniques  Visualization  Hypnosis  Massage therapy  Meditation  Biofeedback