 Personal Balance Stanley Teacher Prep Lynne Forstot

 Michele Forstot, Psy. D. Professional Consultant Insights and Options, LLC (303)

Objectives  Understand the nature of stress  Recognize the 3 areas that impact stress  Identify how the mind plays a role in stress  Identify how to effectively manage stress

What is stress?  The body’s response to a demand  Physical  Emotional  Psychological

How the body responds to stress  Physiological release of adrenalin and hydrocortisone (cortisol)  Short term – some biological mechanisms are shut down to conserve energy for fight or flight  Long term – impacts physiological, psychological & emotional areas negatively (i.e., suppression of immune system)

Types of Stress Positive  Short term  Motivates  May feel exciting  Improves productivity  Improves performance  Sharpens the mind/focuses energy

Types of Stress Negative  Drains energy reserves  Causes emotional depression  Suppresses the immune system  Can change the way a person thinks  Can lead to mental and physical problems

Where stress comes from  Too many changes  Too high of expectations  Too much responsibility  Too much information provided

Stress Factor 1  Individual perception of stress  Determines the effects on a person

Stress Factor 2  Personal and family resources  Time  Skill  Financial resources  Family resources

Stress Factor 3  Social Support  Relationship with family, friends, community  Access to professional resources

Stress Defined Ordinary Life Stressors  Regular daily schedule  Manage by: setting priorities, following a schedule, having reasonable expectations, delegating Developmental Stresses  Stage of life issues  Learning new things/changing old habits

Exercise:  What excites you?  What stresses you?  What can you do?

Personal Balance Goals  Complete Personal Balance/Self Care Plan