Feeling A Little Stressed Out Lately?

The body and mind’s reaction to everyday demands or threats. Stress can be useful or harmful, energizing or exhausting. How each person reacts to the stressful situation, will often determine the effect it will have on the person

Stress: Stress: neutral stress which often challenges people in their day to day tasks School Work Athletics Obligations Deadlines Expectations

Eustress: Eustress: positive stress which helps people to meet their goals Scoring the winning points in a game Getting a new job Going on a date Getting a promotion Getting a good grade Being recognized for a job well done

Distress: Distress: negative stress which can cause too much pressure and trauma in ones life Overworked Failing a class Parents divorce Getting fired from a job Death of a loved one

Stressors: The source of stress in each persons life; people, places, and things that cause stress in day to day life Biological Environmental Cognitive Personal Behavior Life Situations

Common Stressors:

Identify Stressors in Your Life

Stress Response: Alarm-Initial Reaction: the 1st stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the body and mind are on high alert and the stress response is initiated.

Stress Response: Resistance Response: the 2nd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the body is attempting to repair any damage that has been done by the stress.

Stress Response: Fatigue-Exhaustion: the 3rd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the stress is not adequately dealt with, the body breaks down and health problems result.

Reacting & Responding to Stressors: confront the stressor Fight: run from the stressor Flight: don't respond to the stressor Freeze: work out a solution with the stressor Compromise:

Stress Tolerance: The amount of stress that someone can handle before they reach a state of too much stress and they experience fatigue and breakdown

Warning Signs of Overstressed: Severe Headaches or Migraines Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Constipation Chronic Fatigue-Lack of Energy Insomnia (Sleeplessness) Lack of Memory-Unable to Concentrate Irregular Menstruation Decreased Sex Drive Lack of Appetite Emotional Mood Swings

Impact of Stress Stress can significantly affect many of the body's immune systems, as can an individual's perceptions of, and reactions to, stress.

Stress Can Relate to Health Problems Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse Loneliness and Depression Suicide Attempts Psychological Problems Ulcers Stroke Heart Attack Emotional or Mental Illness Weakened Immune System-Frequent Illness

Avoid Self-Pity

Stress and Personalities: Type A: competitive, high achieving; thrives on high stress lifestyle Type B: laid back, non-competitive; avoids stressful situations Passive: wimpy, crumbles under pressure, easily influenced by others Assertive: firm and positive, stands up for personal beliefs, takes control of situations, influences others in a positive way Aggressive: hostile, forceful, intimidating, bully’s beliefs on others

Ego Defense Mechanism reduce stress levels when Self DEFENSE: Protection MECHANISM: Strategies used to help reduce stress levels when stressful situations occur

Common Ego Defense Mechanisms: Rationalization: making excuses and justifying behavior to cover up the stressful situation Denial: pretending that the stressful situation never occurred Ex. An older person you know is ill, but you do not believe the person may die. Projection: blaming someone else to avoid being stressed by the situation Ex. If you are angry with your brother, you may project your anger on him by saying “What are you so mad about?” Displacement: taking out frustration on someone or something that had nothing to do with the stressful situation Ex. Your boss made you stay late for work. You are angry, but afraid to say anything. When your mother calls, you yell at her for asking a simple question. You displaced the anger.

Common Ego Defense Mechanisms: Substitution: replacing one action for another to conceal the stressful situation Compensation: settling for something less than what was expected to relieve stress Regression: resorting to child-like behaviors to relieve the stress

Interpersonal Conflicts: Stress caused by conflicts between two people or groups of people Arguments or disagreements with other people

Stress caused by conflicts that occur within the person themselves Internal Conflicts: Stress caused by conflicts that occur within the person themselves Being torn between doing what is right for the moment, and what is right in the long run

Conflict Resolution Strategy: T: Take a Time Out (at least 30 minutes) A: Allow Each Person To Present Their Point of View L: Let Each Person Ask Questions K: Keep Brainstorming to Find the Best Solution for Both Parties

Just Checking To See How Stress Test Don't Worry, We Are Just Checking To See How You Will Respond When You Are Under Stress

Stress Management Skills: Set & Prioritize Goals Budget Your Time Learn to Say No Slow Down Take a Time Out Relax & Have Fun Get Regular Exercise Eat Healthy Get 7-10 hrs. of Sleep per Night Have a Support System

Coping Strategies: Be flexible when plan A doesn’t work out Take a “Power Nap” when needed Talk your problems out with a friend or a professional If your Lost, stop and ask for directions Laugh and Have Fun

Just Be