This document discusses stress, including its causes and effects on health. It defines stress as a physical, social, or mental event or condition that requires coping. There are two types of stress: eustress, which are positive stressors that allow personal growth; and distress, which are negative stressors that cause strain. In response to stress, the body enters a fight-or-flight state where heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and blood sugar increase, giving a burst of energy. Long-term stress can increase risks of heart disease and decrease immunity. The document recommends reducing stress through assessing stressors, changing reactions, learning to cope, exercise, relaxation, diet, time management and support groups.

1. Handling StressHandling Stress
© Lisa Michalek

2. StressStress
 AA physical, social, or mentalphysical, social, or mental event orevent or
condition that requires us to cope with acondition that requires us to cope with a
given situation.given situation.
 Stressor: the “thing” that caused theStressor: the “thing” that caused the
reaction.reaction.

3. Eustress vs DistressEustress vs Distress
 EustressEustress –– positive stressorspositive stressors that allowsthat allows
for personal growth and satisfactionfor personal growth and satisfaction
 GettingGetting marriedmarried
 StartingStarting schoolschool
 Beginning aBeginning a jobjob
 Making newMaking new friendsfriends
 Learning a newLearning a new skillskill

4. Eustress vs DistressEustress vs Distress
 Distress – negative stressDistress – negative stress that is causedthat is caused
by events that cause stress and strainby events that cause stress and strain
 FinancialFinancial problemsproblems
 DeathDeath of a loved oneof a loved one
 AcademicAcademic difficultiesdifficulties
 BreakupBreakup of a relationshipof a relationship

5. Response to StressResponse to Stress
 Fight-or-FlightFight-or-Flight
 when our bodies go on the alert to eitherwhen our bodies go on the alert to either
fight or escapefight or escape
 A sudden burst ofA sudden burst of
energyenergy andand strengthstrength
 The heartThe heart speedsspeeds up,up,
breathingbreathing increasesincreases,,
bloodblood pressurepressure
elevates,elevates, sugarsugar isis
released intoreleased into
the blood.the blood.

6. Stress and Your HealthStress and Your Health
 Greater risk forGreater risk for heart diseaseheart disease
 Can decreaseCan decrease immunityimmunity to diseaseto disease
 Can cause negativeCan cause negative mentalmental reactionsreactions

7. Stress ReducersStress Reducers
 AssessAssess stressorsstressors
 ChangeChange reactionsreactions toto
stressstress
 Learn toLearn to copecope
 ExerciseExercise
 RelaxRelax
 EatEat HealthyHealthy
 ManageManage timetime
 Reduce stressesReduce stresses

8. Other TechniquesOther Techniques
 HypnosisHypnosis – focus on one– focus on one
thought, object, or voicethought, object, or voice
 MassageMassage TherapyTherapy
 MeditationMeditation – focus on deep– focus on deep breathingbreathing
 BiofeedbackBiofeedback – monitoring of– monitoring of
physicalphysical responses to stressresponses to stress
 SupportSupport GroupsGroups