Stress Flashcards
Define Stress and its subtypes
Stress is a state of disharmony or threatened homeostasis that occurs when we face challenges
– can be external (environmental) or internal (physiological)
– can produce distress (negative) or eustress (positive)
Define Homeostasis
the ability to change and stabilize one’s internal environment despite constant changes to the external environment
Define allostasis
achieving stability through change; the balance of essential coping/adaptation systems
– “cost of coping”
What are the three phases of General Adaptation Syndrome?
- Arousal and Alarm
- Resistance
- Exhaustion
What is the role of perception in the stress response?
2 levels of appraisal:
1. Initial appraisal – assess importance and potential demand of the situation
2. Secondary appraisal – assess one’s resources to cope with the situation
– may result in revision of the IA
Differing perceptions of control can elicit different neuroendocrine responses
– high perception of control = active coping mechanisms
– low perception of control = passive coping mechanisms
What is the Cross-Stressor Adaptation Hypothesis?
Exposure to a stressor of sufficient intensity/duration will cause an adaptation to stress responses systems and decrease their sensitivity
How does exercise develop cross-stressor tolerance? (2)
- Habituation
– decreased magnitude of response to some familiar challenge - Sensitization
– desensitization
What are common stressor tasks used in research?
– Active stressors – control over the outcome
1. Stroop test 2. Mental Arithmetic 3. Reaction time
– Passive Stressors – no control of the outcome
1. movie that elicits emotional reaction 2. Exposure to unpleasant/aversive sounds
What are common measurements of stress? (3)
- Subjective measurements of perceived stress include self-reported measures such as the perceived stress scale’
- Heart rate and blood pressure
- Hormonal measurements such as catecholalines and cortisol
What are the general findings linking physical activity and stress? (4)
- Cardiovascular fitness
- HPA Cortical Axis response
- Immunity
- Reactivity vs. recovery
Human Exercise-Stress Research – Cardiovascular fitness
–inconsistencies on stress-buffering effects
– Aerobic fitness may lead to stress-buffering effects to psychosocial stressors
– Absolute Reactivity
– Relative reactivity
– Lower RHR increases amount of time you spend in the stable zone
Human Exercise-Stress Research – HPA Cortical Axis Response
Physical activity appears to have faster effects on the SNS – reduced production of cortisol
Human Exercise-Stress Research –Immunity
As fitness increased, stress-related inflammatory responses decreased
Reactivity vs. recovery
faster recovery once the stressor is remvoed
What is the Physiologic Toughness Model
Intermittent, but regular, exposure to stressors result in various physiological changes
– If event is perceived as a challenge = enhancement of catecholamine response
– More energy, confidence
– If event is perceived as a threat = enhancement of cortisol response
– More tension, anxiety and stress
How Kelly McGonigal has changed her viewpoint on stress
- How we perceive stress is important
- Mechanism for stress resilience
– Pituitary gland releases oxytocin during stress response, which …
– acts as a vasodilator, anti-inflammatory
– pushes you to find social support
What is Yoga? What has it been reported as beneficial for? (4)
Yoga is an ancient science and philosophy that entails physical and mental practices that strengthen and harmonize the body, mind and spirit and has been reported to be beneficial for:
– Enhancing self-esteem
– Reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and anger
– eating disorders, post-tramautic stress and attention deficit
– supportive for patients with cancer, chronic pain, digestive disorders and hypertension
Brems (2015)
Purpose was to…
1. Examine the feasibility of yoga in the academic workplace as a regular practice 2. Assess whether yoga can reduce perceived stress
Methods
– reflection on the yoga and application of it
– perceived stress scale – measured self-reported stress
– psychological and physical stress indicator – how often experienced symptoms in last 30 days
– Perceptions of yoga practice – importance and confidence
Results
– Significant reductions in perceived stress and their associated physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms
– provided stress management and coping skills
What were the recommendations Brems (2015) made for his yoga study? (3)
- Bing yoga to the people
- make it a group event
- facilitate instructor that provides verbal and physical connection and guidance
