Transcript Stress: The Constant Challenge

STRESS: THE CONSTANT CHALLENGE
Chapter Two
What is Stress?
2


Stress = 1) Situations that trigger physical and
emotional reactions and 2) The reactions themselves
Stressor –Anything that triggers stress
 Eustress

vs. Distress
Two Systems Oversee the Physical Responses to
stressors
 Nervous
system
 Endocrine system
Components of the Central Nervous System
3

Brain
 Receives
information from
internal & external environment &
 Integrates and makes decisions
about incoming information

Spinal Cord
 Connects

brain w/ peripheral nerves
Nerves
 Send
& receive messages (chemical
/electrical)
Divisions of the Central Nervous System
4
Central
Nervous
System
Autonomic
(Involuntary)
Parasympathetic
“Rest & Digest”
Somatic
(Voluntary)
Sympathetic
“Fight/Flight”
Components of the Endocrine System
5


Scattered glands, cells,
tissues that release
hormones into bloodstream
Hormones regulate & control
body functions
The CNS & Endocrine System Work Together to
respond to Stress
6


Nervous system operates fast, endocrine system is
slower
Both systems act simultaneously to bring about
change during a stress response
 Ex.
Release of cortisol and adrenaline during a stress
response
Physical Responses to Stress
7

Cortisol and Adrenaline cause:
 Acute
hearing and vision (pupils dilate)
 Increased HR
 Release of sugar into bloodstream (by liver)
 Digestion to halt
 The release of endorphins (pain reliever)
 Bronchi to dilate
Emotional & Behavioral Responses to
Stress
8

Behavioral responses to stress are controlled by the
Somatic N.S.
 Effective
responses to stress: Talking, laughing, exercise,
time management
 Ineffective
Frustration
responses to stress: Eating, Procrastination,
Personality and Stress
9

What determines how we respond to stress?
 Personality
 Type
A, B and C personalities
 Resilient personality
 Cultural
background
 Gender
 Past
Experiences
Return to Homeostasis
10

What is Homeostasis?
 The
body’s ability to maintain internal stability, while
our environment constantly changes.

Why is it important to return to homeostasis?
The General Adaptation Syndrome

Pattern of all stressors
 Alarm
 Sequence
of events brought on by Fight-or-Flight reaction
 May experience headaches, anxiety
 Resistance
 New
level of homeostasis where body is more resistant to disease
and injury
 Exhaustion
 Life-threatening
physiological state
 Allostatic Load: Long-term wear and tear of the stress response
 A high allostatic load is linked with heart disease, obesity
hypertension, and reduced immune function
11
General Adaptation Syndrome
(G.A.S.), a theory of Stress and Disease
12

Alarm

Resistance

Exhaustion
Stress and Disease
13

Several components interact w/ stress to increase
vulnerability to disease
 Genetic
predisposition
 Personality
 Social
environment
 Health
related behaviors
Women, Men, and Stress

Women and stress


Men and stress


Compelled to be in charge at all times
American Psychological Association’s “ Stress in
America” survey


Balancing multiple roles
82% of female and 71% of male Americans reported
stress-related health problems.
Physiological Differences
Testosterone – men
 Oxytocin – women

14
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
15


Definition: Study of complex interactions between
N.S, endocrine and immune system
Specific connections between stress & immune
system exist

Chronic high blood pressure

Atherosclerosis
Strokes
 Psychological problems brought on by hormones released
during stress response
 Colds and other infections
 Cancer

Managing Stress





Social Support
Communication
Exercise
Nutrition
Sleep
16
Managing Stress
17

How sleep works
 Two
phases: REM and NREM (4 stages of successively
deeper sleep)
 During NREM, vital signs slow and growth hormone is
released, brain wave patterns slow
 During REM dreams occur, vital signs increase

Sleep problems
 Insomnia
 Sleep
apnea
©2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.
Chapter Two
Cognitive Techniques







Think and act constructively
Take control
Problem-solve
Modify your expectations
Stay positive
Cultivate your sense of humor
Focus on what’s important
18
Relaxation Techniques
19








Progressive relaxation
Visualization
Meditation
Deep breathing
Yoga
Music
Tai chi (Taijiuan)
Biofeedback