1. Effects of Stress Top 3 things to live longer: Include one exercise
Eat well
Manage Stress

2. Stress in your life…
Stress – the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands in everyday life
Running late
Can’t find your keys
Exam
Athletic events
Arguments with friends

3. Reacting to Stress Can have positive and negative effects
Positive - motivate you to do your best and give you the extra energy you need
Negative – Losing sleep after arguing with a friend, being so worried about a test

4. What Causes Stress? Stressor – anything that causes stress
Potential stressors – people, places, objects, events, and situations
5 general categories of stressors
Biological stressors – illness, disabilities, injuries
Environmental stressors – poverty, pollution, crowding, noise, natural disasters
Cognitive, or thinking, stressors – ways you perceive a situation or how it effects you and the world around you
Personal Behavior Stressors – negative reactions in the body and mind caused by using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs or by lack of physical activity
Life Situation Stressors – death, separation, divorce, relationships

5. The Body’s Stress Response
Nervous system and endocrine system are activated during the body’s response to stress
Response is largely involuntary, or automatic
Cortisol and Adrenaline – free drugs the body produces in stressful situations
Happens in 3 stages

6. The Alarm Response First stage in the stress response
Fight or Flight response – body prepares body to either defend itself or flee from a threat
Physical symptoms:
Pupil dilation
Increase in perspiration
Faster heart rate and pulse
Rise in blood pressure
Increased blood flow

7. Resistance 2nd stage in stress response, if stressor continues
Body has adapted to the rush created by the alarm and reacts to the stressor
Decide to “Fight” or take “flight”
Choose fight – your ability to resist a physical challenge or attack may be enhanced
Choose flight – may be able to run farther and faster than normal in order to escape from danger
Body performs at a higher level of endurance
High-stress situations have been known to accomplish incredible feats during the resistance stage

8. Fatigue 3rd stage of the stress response
When stressor is prolonged, body is unable to adapt to the situation
Cannot manage other stressors
Mind and body become exhausted

9. Stress and Your Health Physical Effects
Headache – most common, 70% of people world wide will experience at least one stress headache/year
Asthma – Stress will trigger asthma attacks
High blood pressure – increased cholesterol – fatty substance that blocks arteries
Weakened immune system – Results in extended exposure to stress, more prone to colds and the flu

10. Effects of Stress Emotional Signs Mental Signs Nervousness Frustration
Crying
Mental Signs
Trouble concentrating
Lack if creativity
Lose sense of humor

11. Effects of Stress Behavioral Signs Not eating Overeating
Compulsive talking
Tapping feet
Drumming fingers
Change in sleep pattern

12. Stress and the Eating Cycle
Under stress
Craving for sugars/proceed foods
Temporary energy surge
Insulin levels elevated
Easier to store fat
Sugar levels drop
Feel low, body repeats steps

13. Stress and Your Health Mental/Emotional and Social Effects
Difficulty concentrating – lead to failure
Mood swings
Risks of substance abuse – increase person’s risk of drug use

14. Taking Control of Chronic Stress
Chronic Stress – stress associated with long-term problems that are beyond a person’s control
Strategies for controlling the effects of stress
Engage in physical activity
Look for support among your friends and family
Find a hobby or activity that relaxes you
Avoid using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs