Stress- The body’s response to physical or mental demands or pressures.

Eustress- the positive use of stress

Distress- the negative use of stress

Stressor- An agent that causes stress

4 General Types of Stressors

1- Major Life Changes Graduation Death of a family member Failing a class Breaking up with boyfriend or girlfriend Moving (new school) Leaving home

2-Catastrophes Unexpected Threatens lives Watching on TV can also cause stress

3-Everyday Problems -School -Friends -Parents

4-Environmental Problems -Noise -Overcrowded -Weather

Stages of Stress

1-ALARM STAGE- THE IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL RESPONSE TO STRESS. YOUR HEART BEATS FASTER, YOUR BREATHING SPEEDS UP, AND YOUR MUSCLES TENSE

Adrenaline- a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to danger, excitement, or stress; the hormone that prepares the body to fight danger or to flee from it. (During alarm stage)

2-Resistance Stage- A stage of response to stress in which a person’s body works against the stress. You may think you are no longer stressed. However, your body uses up a lot of energy. As a result, you may become tired, irritable and less able to handle stress

Coping- Dealing with a problem or difficult situation.

3-Exhaustion Stage- the stage of stress in which the body’s defenses are used up. This does not happen every time you have stress. Only if the stressor continues for a long period of time. You could become ill during this stage.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- A condition resulting from a traumatic event and causing extreme distress and the need for an extended period of coping

Type A personality- An extreme personality type: competitive, tense, impatient, and aggressive.

Type B personality- An extreme personality type: relaxed, cooperative, and satisfied with lower output

Psychosomatic illness- A physical disorder caused by stress rather than disease or damage to the body

Migraine headache- A severe headache caused by changes in the blood vessels in the brain

Cholesterol- A waxy fatlike substance, part of the cell membranes and nerve tissue, that may block the arteries

Depression- A feeling of sadness, worthlessness, helplessness, or isolation

Overgeneralization- An act of drawing a broad conclusion from too little evidence

Personalization- the act of interpreting a general remark or incident as pertaining to only one person

Endorphins- Any of several pain-relieving chemicals released by the brain

Cognitive Appraisal- The use of logic and knowledge in evaluating an event

Self Fulfilling Prophecy- An outcome largely influenced, or caused, by the expectations of the person involved in bringing it about

Optimism- the tendency to focus on the positive aspects of a situation.

Pessimism- the tendency to focus on the negative and expect the worst.

Perfectionist- a person that accepts nothing less than excellence.

Resilience- The ability to recover, or “bounce back” from extreme or prolonged stress

Coping with Stress

Time Management- Many people put things off or “waste” time during the day. Make a “to do list” and stay organized during the day.

Mental Rehearsal- play the event over in your mind. Imagine yourself performing at your best.

Reduce Tension

Physical Activity- shift your focus from the problem at hand

Relaxation- Give your mind and body a rest

Biofeedback- learn to control one or more of the body’s functions (usually heart rate and blood pressure) with a monitor.

Avoid Negative Thinking Humor