Stress can be caused by environmental threats or challenges that disrupt equilibrium. Short term stress triggers the fight or flight response through increased heart rate and blood pressure, but prolonged stress can lead to health issues. Stress management techniques like relaxation breathing, muscle relaxation, imagery, and distraction can help control stress and related illnesses by reducing anxiety. Managing stress involves identifying stressors and improving coping behaviors by avoiding negative strategies and embracing relaxation and social support.

1. Relaxation and Stress Management
Reynel Dan L. Galicinao, BSN, RN

2. STRESS

3. Stress
• A change in the environment that is
perceived as a threat, challenge, or harm to
the person's dynamic equilibrium.
• In times of stress, the SNS is activated to
produce immediate changes of increased HR,
peripheral vasoconstriction, and increased
BP.

4. “Fight-or-flight” Reaction
• This response is prolonged by adrenal
stimulation and secretion of epinephrine and
norepinephrine

5. • A limited amount of stress can be a positive
motivator to take action
• Excessive or prolonged stress can cause
emotional discomfort, anxiety, possible
panic, and illness

6. • Prolonged sympathetic-adrenal stimulation
may lead to:
– High BP
– Arteriosclerotic changes
– Cardiovascular disease
– Acute asthma attack
– Peptic ulcer disease
– Irritable bowel syndrome
– Migraine headaches

7. STRESS MANAGEMENT

8. Stress Management
• Can help patients:
– Control illnesses
– Improve self-esteem
– Gain control
– Enjoy life more fully

9. Stress Management
• Involves the identification of physiologic and
psychosocial stressors
• Assess the following:
– the patient's education, finances, job, family,
habits, activities, personal and family health
history, and responsibilities.

10. • Positive and negative coping methods should
also be identified.

11. RELAXATION THERAPY

12. Relaxation Therapy
• One of the first steps in stress management
• Can be used to reduce anxiety brought on by
stress

13. RELAXATION
TECHNIQUES

14. Relaxation breathing
• The simplest technique that can be
performed at any time
• The patient breathes slowly and deeply until
relaxation is achieved
• Can lead to hyperventilation if done
incorrectly

15. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Relieves muscle tension related to stress
• The patient alternately tenses, then relaxes
muscle groups until the entire body feels
relaxed

16. Autogenic training
• Can help relieve pain and induce sleep
• The patient replaces painful or unpleasant
sensations with pleasant ones through self-
suggestions
• May require extensive coaching at first

17. Imagery
• Uses imagination and concentration to take a
“mental vacation”
• The patient imagines a peaceful, pleasant
scene involving multiple senses
• Can last as long as the patient decides

18. Distraction
• Uses the patient's own interests and
activities to divert attention from pain or
anxiety
• Includes listening to music, watching
television, reading a book, singing, knitting,
doing crafts or projects, or physical activities

19. STRESS MANAGEMENT

20. Stress Management
• Dealing with the stressors or problem areas
and increasing coping behaviors

21. • Help the patient to recognize specific
stressors and determine if they can be altered
• Then develop a plan for managing that
stressor

22. • Teach the patient to avoid negative coping
behaviors:
• Smoking
• Drinking
• Using drugs
• Overeating
• Cursing
• Using abusive behavior toward others.

23. • Teach positive coping mechanisms:
– continued use of relaxation techniques
– fostering of support systems
• family, friends, church groups, social groups,
or professional support groups