Managing Stress & Anxiety

Managing Stress & Anxiety Chapter 8 Standard: 1.1.2 Students will apply and justify effective strategies for responding to stress.

Essential Question-I Can

What is stress? I Can Statement: I can learn more about stress and how important it is to deal with stress in a healthy way.

Lesson 1 Effects of Stress  

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List situations that cause you stress. When you are stressed, what thoughts and emotions do you have? What physical symptoms do you have when stressed?

Vocabulary 

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Stress: the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands Perception: the act of becoming aware through the senses. Stressor: anything that causes stress. (people, objects, places, events)

Vocabulary - continued 

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Psychosomatic Response: physical reaction that results from stress rather than from an injury or illness. Psycho: means of the mind. Somatic: means of the body. (sleep disorders, skin disorders, stomach & digestive disorders.

Vocabulary - continued 

Chronic Stress: associated with long term problems that are beyond a person’s control. Chronic stress can last for months; upset stomach, headache, insomnia, appetite change, feeling anxious.

Reacting To Stress  

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Not necessarily good or bad. Can have positive or negative effects. Can motivate you to do your best. Give you extra energy to reach goals.

What Causes Stress? 

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Stressors – 5 General Categories of Stressors: Biological: illness, disabilities or injuries. Environmental: poverty, pollution, crowding, noise, disasters. Cognitive or Thinking: they way you perceive a situation. How it effects you and the world around you.

Stressors - continued  

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Personal Behaviors: 1. Negative reactions in the mind and body. 2. Caused by tobacco, alcohol and drugs. 3. Physical inactivity.

Stressors - continued Life Situations  1. death 2. separation 3. trouble with relationships Complete the following: When I am at the doctor’s office, I feel.... During a test, I feel……………… Having a disagreement with a friend makes me feel……………………………… 

The Body’s Stress Response 

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When threatened your body will respond. Two Body Systems Involved: 1. Nervous System 2. Endocrine System Both are reactive to stress, mostly involuntary or automatic.

3 Stages Regardless of Stressor 

1. Alarm: 1st stage of stress response. Go to a higher alert, fight or flight/run response. A. Physical Symptoms: pupil dilation, perspire, faster heart rate & pulse, rise in blood pressure, faster breathing, increase in muscle tension.

Alarm Stage - continued Body Responses 1. Hypothalamus: releases a hormone that acts on the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain, receives danger signals. 2. Pituitary: stimulates adrenal gland. 3. Adrenal Glands: secrete adrenaline, emergency hormone.

Stage 2 – Stage 3 

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Resistance: People have been known to accomplish incredible feats in this stage. Fatigue: A tired feeling takes over and lowers level of activity, the body and mind become exhausted.

Symptoms of Stress 

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Physical Signs: headache, upset stomach Emotional Signs: edginess, crying Mental Signs: can’t think, losing sense of humor Behavioral Signs: not eating, over eating, talking

Strategies for Handling Stress  

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Take a deep breath & think it through Redirect the stress response (physical activity) Stop and think Give yourself breaks

Physical Effects   

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Headache Asthma High Blood Pressure Weakened Immune System

Mental-Emotional & Social Effects   

Difficulty In Concentration Mood Swings Risks of Substance Abuse

Taking Control of Chronic Stress  

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Engage in Physical Activity Look for Support Among Your Friends & Family Find a Hobby to Relax Avoid Using Drugs