1. American Medical Association Definition:
What is Stress?
American Medical Association Definition:  
"Any interference that disturbs a person's mental or physical   well-being."

2. What is Stress?
The release of chemicals called cortisol and   epinephrine (adrenaline) increases heart rate, metabolism, breathing, muscle tension, and blood pressure.  (Fight or Flight)
  Releases 1,400 chemical reactions in your body, some continuing for hours after the stressor that caused it has passed.

3. Physiological Effects of Stress
Too much stress inhibits digestion, growth, tissue repair, and response of your immune system and inflammatory systems.
Studies show that:
People with high stress are twice as likely to develop colds than those with low-stress
70-80% of doctor visits are stress-related illnesses
high blood pressure, headaches, backaches, indigestion, ulcers, diarrhea, fatigue, insomnia, physical weakness

4. Emotional Effects of Stress
Anger
Hostility
Irritability
Anxiety
Sadness
Depression
Powerlessness
Total overwhelm

5. Healthy Reduction Techniques “Choose New Behaviors”
Separate from an external stressor
Resolve incompletes; take care of it now!
Keep your finances organized
Delegate
Say "no“; understand your boundaries
Exercise
Relax
Breathe deeply
Get a massage
Do something (anything!) towards your goals
Exercise
Listen to uplifting music
Laugh

6. Healthy Reduction Techniques “Choose New Thoughts”
Visualize problems and troubles shrinking to a manageable size
Take a mental vacation
Challenge pessimistic beliefs
Focus on the positive
Find the opportunity in the problem
Elevate; will this matter one year from now?
Trust a positive outcome
Detach
Reframe
Visualize success with safety
Assume the best
Face the fear
Identify your hurt
Forgive

7. Evaluation What did you learn/get out of this activity?
What did you like about this activity? Dislike?
How would you improve this activity?
Where did you post your card?
Did you look at it?
What impact, if any, did it have?