Stress occurs when events, responsibilities, or problems exceed one's ability to cope. The short-term fight or flight response can be helpful but long-term stress can negatively impact physical and mental health through increased risk of illnesses, heart disease, digestive issues, skin conditions, depression, and more. Pregnancy-related stress can also influence a baby's development and later health and behavioral outcomes. Good nutrition and coping skills are important to manage stress levels and reduce health risks.

1. Stress! What is it?

2. Stress occurs when events, responsibilities, or problems are greater than your ability to cope.

3. Stress Reaction  Fight / Flight Response Body is flooded with adrenalin.  Speed Strength Muscle Tension Sensory Acuity Heart Rate Breathing Rate Reaction Time

4. How can this help us?

5. Once the stress event is over, our body chemicals return to normal – balance, peace, relaxation. The problem occurs when we have too much stress over too long a period of time.

6. Health and Mental Health Long term stress can lead to a variety of health and mental health problems.

7. Health and Mental Health Problems Immune System Can’t fight off illnesses Symptoms of chronic illnesses worsen

8. Health and Mental Health Problems Heart High blood pressure Blood clots Hardening of the arteries Abnormal heart beat Heart disease Heart attack Heart failure

9. Health and Mental Health Problems Muscles Tension Neck, shoulder, back pain

10. Health and Mental Health Problems Stomach Heart burn Ulcers Irritable Bowel Syndrome Nausea Diarrhea Constipation

11. Health and Mental Health Problems Reproductive System Low fertility Problems during pregnancy Painful menstrual periods

12. Health and Mental Health Problems Stress and Pregnancy During the pregnancy, high levels of stress hormones increase the baby’s heart rate, decrease the oxygen getting to the baby, increase the baby’s blood pressure, and cause the baby stress. This can sometimes cause miscarriage, premature birth, and lower birth weight, which can mean more health problems and developmental problems for the baby.

13. Health and Mental Health Problems Babies, children, and adults who were exposed to too much stress and anger during pregnancy, are more likely to have: Excessive crying More health problems More developmental problems (walking, talking, learning, etc.) More behavior problems More emotional problems (depression, anxiety, anger, and sometimes even schizophrenia) More trouble calming down Lower intelligence More learning problems More sensitivity to stress More memory problems Poor social skills (don’t get along well with others)

14. Health and Mental Health Problems Lungs Worsens symptoms of asthma Worsens symptoms of COPD

15. Health and Mental Health Problems Skin Worsens symptoms of Acne Psoriasis Eczema

16. Health and Mental Health Problems Mental Health Depression Anxiety Decreased Memory Decreased Concentration Can trigger underlying mental disorders like mania, schizophrenia, psychosis

17. Health and Mental Health Problems Other Hair loss , early graying Obesity Underweight Stroke

18. Heart rate Rapid breathing Tense muscles Mad face

19. Time for a short movieReality Avenue Part 3Reality Avenue Part 4

20. Heart rate

21. Stress and Nutrition Nutrition affects our ability to deal with stress Body Brain

22. What does good nutrition look like?

23. Are you feeding your brain? 39 – 45 Outstanding! You are ready for the mental Olympics. 32 – 38 Very Good, but a few changes could improve your mental agility. 25 – 31 Caution, your diet could be causing your mental torch to burn dimly. 0 – 24 WHOA! You are adding stress to your body and brain.

24. Stress ball activity

25. Coping Skills Stress occurs when events, responsibilities, or problems are greater than your ability to cope.

26. Coping Skill Defined A behavioral tool that a person uses to deal with or overcome a problem without correcting or eliminating the problem.

27. Unhealthy Coping Skills Healthy Coping Skills