CHAPTER 1 – What is CHAPTER 1 – What is Stress?Stress?

Who Experiences Stress?Who Experiences Stress?

• EVERYONE!!EVERYONE!!

• Even…Even…

• The key…The key…

WALTER CANNONWALTER CANNON

• What did he do?What did he do?

• He first described the body’s reaction He first described the body’s reaction to stress, which is called what?to stress, which is called what?

Fight or Flight ResponseFight or Flight Response

WALTER CANNON (cont.)WALTER CANNON (cont.)

• What happens to the body during the What happens to the body during the Fight or Flight Response?Fight or Flight Response?

• Increased heart rate (pounding & faster)Increased heart rate (pounding & faster)

• Increased respirationIncreased respiration

• PerspirationPerspiration

• Muscle tensionMuscle tension

What is a stressor?What is a stressor?

ANYTHING with the potential to cause a ANYTHING with the potential to cause a stress reaction (Fight or Flight stress reaction (Fight or Flight Response)Response)

• Will vary…Will vary…

• Eustress?Eustress?

• Distress?Distress?

HANS SELYEHANS SELYE

• What did he learn about stress What did he learn about stress reactivity (Fight or Flight Response)?reactivity (Fight or Flight Response)?

• Discovered that regardless of the Discovered that regardless of the source of the stressor, the BODY source of the stressor, the BODY REACTS IN THE SAME MANNER.REACTS IN THE SAME MANNER.

• In other words…In other words…

HANS SELYE (cont.)HANS SELYE (cont.)

• General Adaptation Syndrome (3 phases of General Adaptation Syndrome (3 phases of stress reactivity):stress reactivity):

• Alarm Reaction (body experiences…)Alarm Reaction (body experiences…)

• Stage of Resistance (body adapts &…)Stage of Resistance (body adapts &…)

• Stage of Exhaustion (if stressor is not…)Stage of Exhaustion (if stressor is not…)

• Rest of the names…Rest of the names…

• Will cover disease…Will cover disease…

WHAT IS A SYMBOLIC WHAT IS A SYMBOLIC STRESSOR?STRESSOR?

• A stressor for which the Fight or A stressor for which the Fight or Flight Response would be Flight Response would be INAPPROPRIATE.INAPPROPRIATE.

• Example?Example?

• Most stressors in today’s society…Most stressors in today’s society…

STRESS REACTIVITYSTRESS REACTIVITY

• This is another name for the Fight or This is another name for the Fight or Flight ResponseFlight Response

• 2 Important facts:2 Important facts:

• 1. Everyday stressors vs. Major Life…1. Everyday stressors vs. Major Life…

• 2. Duration vs. Degree…2. Duration vs. Degree…

STRESS DEFINEDSTRESS DEFINED

• The combination of a stressor and…The combination of a stressor and…

• Without both… (again, key is…)Without both… (again, key is…)

• Something to think about: Something to think about:

Stress=Pressure – AdaptabilityStress=Pressure – Adaptability

MANAGING STRESSMANAGING STRESS

• Should we strive to eliminate ALL Should we strive to eliminate ALL STRESS?STRESS?

• Would it be desirable to eliminate Would it be desirable to eliminate ALL STRESS?ALL STRESS?

• Examples…Examples…

ACTIVITY (groups of 6-8)ACTIVITY (groups of 6-8)

• Members list their PERSONAL Members list their PERSONAL STRESSORSSTRESSORS

• Next, members list ways they may Next, members list ways they may CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERS’ STRESSCONTRIBUTE TO OTHERS’ STRESS