Managing Stress

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

the response of your body and mind to being challenged or threatened

Question 2

Eustress-Positive

Answer 2

Positive Stress is also known as Eustress. When Stress helps you escape from a dangerous situation, promotes personal growth, or helps you accomplish your goals it is Eustress.

Question 3

Stressor

Answer 3

an event or situation that causes stress

Question 4

4 General types of stressors

Answer 4

Major life Changes
Catastrophes
Every day Problems
Environmental Problems

Question 5

Stages of stress

Answer 5

The body’s response to stress occurs in 3 stages.
Alarm Stage – body releases Adrenaline (heart beats faster, breathing speeds up, muscles tense). This stage is also known as the “fight or flight” response or stage.
Resistance Stage – body adapts to the continued presence of the stressor – lots of energy exerted. May cause irritability, decrease ability to handle added stress.
Exhaustion Stage – body can no longer keep up with the demands placed on it. Physical/emotional resources depleted. Note: Does not occur with each stress response, only is stressor occurs for a long time.

Question 6

Recognizing Signs of Stress

Answer 6

Changes in Thinking –over/under eating, sleep problems, withdrawing from relationships, reckless

Behavioral Changes – inability to concentrate, excessive worrying, self-criticism, critical of others

Physical Changes – Muscle tension, headache, upset stomach, increased sweating

Emotional Changes – Irritable, angry, impatient, nervous, crying

Question 7

Stress can…

Answer 7

Trigger certain illnesses
Reduce the body’s ability to fight an illness
Make some diseases harder to control
Stomachaches, Headaches, and Asthma attacks can all be triggered by Stress

Question 8

Why does one person remain calm when faced with a stressor while another become anxious and tense?

Answer 8

It is a highly personal experience

Question 9

. As you assess, you are answering 2 important questions

Answer 9

Is this situation a threat to my well being?

Do I have the necessary resources to meet the challenge

Question 10

Your personality influences your assessment of a situation.

Answer 10

Optimism – the tendency to focus on the positive aspects of a situation.
Pessimism – the tendency to focus on the negative and expect the worst.
Perfectionist – a person who accepts nothing less than excellence.
Resilient – ability to recover or “bounce back” from extreme or prolonged stress

Question 11

Distress

Answer 11

Negative stress