Download stress - West Morris Mendham High School

DEALING WITH STRESS
Senior Health-Bauberger
What is stress?
• Stress is the response of the body and
mind to being challenged or threatened.
• Stress is experienced when situations,
events, or people make demands on the
body and mind.
• 2 types:
– Eustress = positive stress
– Distress = negative stress
Stressors
• Stressors are events or situations that cause
stress
• Four general types:
– Major life changes (death in a family, graduating
from high school…)
– Catastrophes (natural disasters, violent crimes…)
– Everyday problems (missing the bus, losing your
keys…)
– Environmental problems (overcrowded bus, poor
air quality, freezing temperatures…)
3 Stages of Stress
• Alarm Stage
• Resistance Stage
• Exhaustion Stage
Alarm Stage
• Adrenaline released into your blood, heart beats
faster, breathing speeds up, muscles tighten
• Experience the “Fight or Flight Response”
– Prepares your body to fight/flee the stressor:
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Breathing rate increases
More sugar released into blood
Flow of blood to skin reduced, sweating increases
Flow of blood to brain increases
Pupil open wide
Heart rate and blood pressure increases
Flow of blood to digestive system reduced, more stomach acid
produced
• Muscles tense, more energy produced by cells
Resistance Stage
• Body adapts to the continued presence
of the stressor
• As the symptoms from the alarm stage
disappear and the body uses up energy
resisting the stressor you become tired,
irritable, and less able to handle the
stress
Exhaustion Stage
• This stage is only experienced when
extreme stress is experienced over a
long period of time
• Body can no longer keep up with the
demands places on it, resources
depleted
Warning Signs of Stress
• Behavioral Changes
– Overeating, sleep problems, withdrawing from
relationships, reckless behavior
• Changes in Thinking
– Unable to concentrate, negative thinking, excessive
worrying, self-criticism
• Physical Changes
– Muscle tension, headache, upset stomach, pounding
heart, shortness of breath, increased sweating
• Emotional Changes
– Irritable, angry, impatient, nervous, increased crying
Stress and Illness
• 57% of female teens and 36% of male
teens report having at least 1 headache
each week
• Stress can trigger illness, reduce the
body’s ability to fight illness, and make
diseases harder to control
• Prolonged stress can lead to
stomachaches, asthma, and headaches
Stress and Illness
• During the alarm stage, immune system
functions better than usual… after prolonged
stress, however, immune system weakens and
the body is unable to control diseases or fight
off illnesses
• Also during the alarm stage, the heart beats
faster, blood vessels narrow, and blood
pressure rises… prolonged stress can damage
the heart, the linings of blood vessels, and
cause high blood pressure (increases risk of
heart disease)
How to Deal with Stress
• Take control of the stressor
– Time management, mental rehearsal
• Reduce tension
– Physical activity, relaxation, biofeedback
• Change mindset
– Avoid negative thinking, humor
• Build resilience
– Take action, build support system, develop a routine
• Ask for help
– Share the problem, professional or family and friends