A challenge Can we challenge it? STRESS A challenge Can we challenge it? Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli.

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. What’s stress An adaptive response to an internal & external situation that results in physical, psychological and behavioural deviations Adaptation – a coping up mechanism

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. Two kinds of stress Eustress & Distress Eustress: Pushes you to achieve more. Moderate quantum of stress - a driving force for many achievements. Distress: Depletes our energy stores and causes damage

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. Is stress natural? Appears to be a natural part of evolution. Look at what happens on our planet Population explodes; resources crunch; man exploits nature; the forests are shrinking; snow peaks melt away; ozone depletes in the sky; sea level inches up submerging islands – many such changes. Change is inevitable But man’s survival instinct pushes him to face the changing scenario

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. STRESS IS NATURAL If stress is natural……. The capacity to challenge stressful situation and convert it to an opportunity is the real progress

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. The challenge The changing scenario makes competition inevitable. Competition challenges us Man’s ever increasing needs & wants further adds up to the challenge of competition There, man develops General Adaptive Syndrome

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. General Adaptive Syndrome Three stages Alarm: Alarm: Outside stressor mobilizes the internal stress system of our body Resistance: Resistance: The body calls upon the needed system (or organ) to deal with the stressor Exhaustion: Exhaustion: if the stressor persists the reserves of the adaptive mechanism drains out

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. PHYSIOLOGY OF STRESS HYPERACTIVITY OF ADRENAL GLAND ACTIVATION OF SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM VASOCONSTRICTION INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. Personality & stress Findings of Friedman & Rosenman Type A personalities aggressively involve in a prolonged incessant struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time, at times, against the opposing efforts of environment. They succumb to stress as they allow distress to seep in

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. Personality & Stress Type B personalities relax well without feeling guilt; they do not have pressing deadlines and are not in a hurry; they are mild mannered; they play for fun and not to win. They don’t succumb to stress as they don’t allow stress to seep in. They don’t succumb to stress as they don’t allow stress to seep in.

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. STRESS TRIANGLE Psychological Physical behavioural

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. STRESS MANAGEMENT MANAGE AT ALL THE THREE LEVEL –PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL: MEDITATION, REASSESSING OUR THOUGHTS & FEELINGS –PHYSICAL LEVEL: EXERCISES, YOGA, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES –BEHAVIOURAL LEVEL: RESPONDING WITH EQUANIMITY AND CALMNESS IF the distress crosses the threshold level medical problems like Depression, Anxiety disorders, Hypertension etc. sets in. seek medical help from a qualified medical practitioner

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. STRESS RELATED DISORDERS Sleep disturbance Easy fatigability Loss of appetite Nervousness, tension, irritability, restlessness Depression Abdominal disturbances Migraine headache And many such conditions

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. STRESS RELATED DISORDERS A high level of stress is accompanied by high blood pressure and high cholesterol and can result in heart diseases*

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. SUGGESTED COPING STRATEGIES Take life the way it comes Stop blaming others Develop your own inherent potential Live in the present & Work for the future Maintain harmonious relation with others Learn to be happy & cheerful

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. SUGGESTED COPING STRATEGIES Respond to situations with equanimity, detachment, courage, determination Avoid negative emotional reactions like anger, grumbling, worrying and apprehensions.

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. SUGGESTED COPING STRATEGIES Create a supportive climate Redesign and enrich the job content* Reduce conflict & clarify roles Seek professional counseling

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. Meichenbaum’s approach to stress management 1.Teaching individuals that negative self-evaluation increase stress 2.Monitoring one’s own self-defeating strategies – teaching new cognitive strategies 3.Teaching new skills like relaxation 4.Providing real life homework assignment that become increasingly difficult to carry out

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. CONCLUSION Stress is manageable -It needs efforts Engage truthful thinking Modulate your behavioural pattern

Dr. A. Umesh Samuel, Associate Professor is Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. CONCLUSION Lead a well balanced life of satisfaction. Assert control on self in terms of thinking & action ADAPTABILITY IS THE “MOTHER KEY” TO CONVERT DISTRESS TO EUSTRESS.