The body and minds reaction to everyday demands or threats. Stress can be useful or harmful, energizing or exhausting.

. How each person reacts to the stressful situation, will often determine the effect it will have on the person

Stress:
Stress:

neutral stress which often challenges people in their day to day tasks
School Work

Athletics
Obligations Deadlines Expectations

Eustress:

Eustress: positive
stress which helps people to meet their goals
Scoring the winning

points in a game Getting a new job Going on a date Getting a promotion Getting a good grade Being recognized for a job well done

Distress:

Distress: negative stress which can cause too much pressure and trauma in ones life

Overworked Failing a class Parents divorce Getting fired from a job Death of a loved one

Stressors:

The source of stress in each persons life; people, places, and things that cause stress in day to day life

Biological Environmental Cognitive Personal Behavior Life Situations

Identify Stressors in Your Life

Common Stressors:
School
Health Problems

Family

Drugs/ Alcohol

Jobs

YOU
Girlfriend/ Boyfriend

Finances

Future Plans Activities

Sports

Peers

Stress Response:

Alarm-Initial Reaction: the 1st stage of

the response to the stressful situation; when the body and mind are on high alert and the stress response is initiated Resistance Response: the 2nd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the body is attempting to repair any damage that has been done by the stress Fatigue-Exhaustion: the 3rd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the stress is not adequately dealt with, the body breaks down and health problems result

Reacting & Responding to Stressors:

Stress Tolerance:

The amount of stress that someone can handle before they reach a state of too much stress and they experience fatigue and breakdown

Warning Signs of Overstressed:

Severe Headaches or Migraines Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Constipation Chronic Fatigue-Lack of Energy Insomnia (Sleeplessness) Lack of Memory-Unable to Concentrate Irregular Menstruation Decreased Sex Drive Lack of Appetite Emotional Mood Swings

Stress and Health Problems

Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse Loneliness and Depression Suicide Attempts Psychological Problems Ulcers Stroke Heart Attack Emotional or Mental Illness Weakened Immune System-Frequent Illness

Stress and Personalities:

Type A: Type B: Passive: Assertive:

competitive, high achieving; thrives on high stress lifestyle laid back, non-competitive; avoids stressful situations wimpy, crumbles under pressure, easily influenced by others firm and positive, stands up for personal beliefs, takes control of situations, influences others in a positive way hostile, forceful, intimidating, bullys beliefs on others

Aggressive:

Ego Defense Mechanism

EGO:

Self

DEFENSE:

Protection

MECHANISM:

Strategies used to help reduce stress levels when stressful situations occur

Common Ego Defense Mechanisms:

Rationalization: making excuses and justifying

behavior to cover up the stressful situation Denial: pretending that the stressful situation never occurred Projection: blaming someone else to avoid being stressed by the situation Displacement: taking out frustration on someone or something that had nothing to do with the stressful situation Substitution: replacing one action for another to conceal the stressful situation Compensation: settling for something less than what was expected to relieve stress Regression: resorting to child-like behaviors to relieve the stress

Interpersonal Conflicts: stress caused

by conflicts between two people or groups of people
Arguments or disagreements with other people

Internal Conflicts: stress caused by

conflicts that occur within the person themselves
Being torn between doing what is right for the

moment, and what is right in the long run

Conflict Resolution Strategy:

T: Take a Time Out (at

least 30 minutes)

A: Allow Each Person

To Present Their Point of View

L: Let Each Person Ask

Questions

K: Keep Brainstorming
to Find the Best Solution for Both Parties

Stress Management Skills:

Set & Prioritize Goals Budget Your Time Learn to Say No Slow Down Take a Time Out Relax & Have Fun Get Regular Exercise Eat Healthy Get 7-10 hrs. of Sleep per Night Have a Support System

Coping Strategies:

Have Plans B, C, D, E ready to go when plan A doesnt work out Take a Power Nap when needed Talk your problems out with a friend or a professional If your Lost, stop and ask for directions Laugh and Have Fun