Managing Stress Chapter 8 Freshman Health Mr. Martin

Effects of Stress Chapter 8 Lesson 1 Mr. Martin

You’ll Learn To Examine the causes of stress. Describe the effects of stress on body systems Analyze how stress can affect physical, mental/emotional, and social health. Discuss how substances abuse harms mental and emotional health.

Vocabulary Stress Perception Stressor Psychosomatic response Chronic Stress

Stress Stress is the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed or stressed at school? 1.Yes 2.No

Have you ever felt stress before taking a big test? 1.Yes 2.No

Do you feel nervous or stressed when you have to speak in front of people? 1.Yes 2.No

If you participate in sports do you ever feel stressed before competition? 1.Yes 2.No

Stress Everyone experiences stress – it’s a natural part of life.

Perception Perception is the act of becoming aware through the senses. People perceive stress differently. Higher the perception the more stress one will feel.

Stress Can be Good? Stress can help you perform better Act as a motivator Provide extra energy

The Body’s Stress Response When you perceive a situation to be a threat your body begins the stress response. The response occurs in three stages – Alarm – Resistance – Fatigue

What Causes Stress? Stressor is anything that causes stress.

Perception

Did any of these images increase your alarm level.? 1.Yes 2.No

Alarm Alarm is the first stage in the stress response. The mind and body go into high alert. Fight or Flight response is when the body defends itself or flees from a threat. This is the fight or flight stage. Your body is able to react at greater levels. Fight you may be able to defend yourself better Flight run faster than ever or though possible. Fight or Flight

Resistance If exposure to the stressor continues the next stage of the response is called, Resistance. Your body adapts to the rush created by the “Fight or Flight Response”. You have increased energy to stay and fight or flee.

Fatigue Fatigue is the third stage of the stress response. When exposure to stress is prolonged the body loses its ability to adapt to the situation and fatigue may set in. Your ability to manage stressors becomes low. Both the body and mind become exhausted.

Fatigue Fatigue can affect the body in several ways: – Physical Fatigue – Soreness and pain in the muscles. Muscles tire quickly. – Psychological Fatigue – Occurs from contact worrying, overwork, depression, boredom, isolation, or feeling overwhelmed by to many responsibilities. – Pathological Fatigue – Tiredness brought on by overworking the body’s defense in fighting illnesses and disease.

Stress Related Illnesses Minor illnesses include headaches, stomach ache, sleeplessness. Life threatening illnesses include high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Psychosomatic Response This is a physical reaction that results from stress rather than an injury or illness. Psycho means mind Somatic means body

Psychosomatic Responses Include Headaches, muscle tension, migraines Asthma High Blood Pressure, increases cholesterol in arteries and can block arteries and cause heart disease and stroke. Weakened immune system, you can disease, colds, flu or sever infections more often.

Mental/Emotional and Social Effects Difficulty concentrating Mood swings - teens and hormones can put strain on relationships with family and peers. Risks of substance abuse are increased. Looking for an out to reduce stress. THIS ACTUALLY CAUSES MORE STRESS.

Five Categories of Stress Biological stressors – illnesses, disability, injury Environmental stressors– poverty, pollution, crowding, noise, or natural disasters Cognitive (thinking stressors) – such as the way you perceive a situation or how it affects you and the world around you. Personal behavior stressors – negative reactions in the body or mind caused by using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs, lack of physical activity. Life situation stressors – death, separation of parents, divorce, trouble with peers.

Chronic Stress Chronic stress is associated with long-term problems that are beyond a person’s control. This type of stress is not the fight or flight response type of stress. Symptoms can sometimes last a month or longer.

Taking Control of Chronic Stress Engage in physical activity. Look for support with friends and family. Find a hobby or activity that relaxes you. Avoid using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.