1. Chapter Ten
Handling Stress

2. A nonspecific response of the body to any demand upon it.
What is Stress?
A nonspecific response of the body to any demand upon it.
The body will react in a similar manner whether the stress is good (positive) or bad (negative).

3. What Causes Stress? Stressors cause stress.
Positive stress is eustress.
Negative stress is distress.
Response to stress varies from individual to individual.

4. Types of Stressors Psychological - love, fear, anxiety
Environment - excessive heat, cold, noise, overcrowding
Social - personal relationships, family problems, loneliness, discrimination
Physiological - illness, injuries, fatigue, drugs, foods such as caffeine, salt, sugar and alcohol

5. Body’s Reaction to Stress
Level 1 - The Alarm Stage - Body prepares for “fight or flight”
Increase in heart rate and respiration rate
Increase in blood pressure
Elevation in blood sugar level
Increase in muscular tension
Increase in perspiration
Sharpening of senses
Digestion slows down

6. Body’s Reaction to Stress
Level 2 - The Resistance Stage - Body attempts to adjust to the stressor and return to normal
Heart rate and respiration rate decrease
Hormones secreted which give the body the energy to cope with the stressor
If intense or long-term stress exhausts the amount of energy available and the problem persists, the body enters the third stage of stress.

7. Body’s Reaction to Stress
Level 3 - The Exhaustion Stage - potential for disease
If stress continues long enough, and your body cannot cope with it, you may suffer short term or long term effects of stress.

8. Effects of Stress
Short Term Stress: headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue
Long Term Stress: severe headaches, depression, fatigue, weight control problems, may affect the heart, blood pressure, stomach, muscles, and joints

9. Preventing & Coping with Stress
Keep things in perspective
Practice assertive behavior
Establish challenging and attainable goals
Learn time management
Limit certain foods
Share your stress

10. Coping with Stress Learn stress diversion activities
Use exercise to reduce stress
Meditation
Deep breathing
Imagery
Progressive muscle relaxation

11. Avoiding Negative Coping Strategies
Too much alcohol
Too much television
Dependence on chemicals or drugs
Tobacco use
Withdrawal or avoidance
Excessive gambling
Overspending

12. Handling stress also involves:
Controlling your anger
Dealing with peer pressure
Make good choices

13. Handling Stress
You experience stress everyday. The key is to learn to handle or cope with the stressors in your life to avoid negative affects on your health.
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