Chapter 1:Chapter 1:The Nature of StressThe Nature of Stress

I cannot and should not be cured I cannot and should not be cured of by stress, but merely taught of by stress, but merely taught to enjoy itto enjoy it..

- Hans - Hans SelyeSelye

Hans SelyeHans Selye argued that argued that stressstress is a is a a way of life. a way of life.

However, only recently has the However, only recently has the term stress become a common term stress become a common word in our everyday language.word in our everyday language.

Why do you believe this is true?Why do you believe this is true?

Factors that have drawn attention Factors that have drawn attention to stress in modern times:to stress in modern times:

research has shown a relationship research has shown a relationship between lifestyle and stress-between lifestyle and stress-

related related diseases;diseases; research has indicated that perhaps 70 research has indicated that perhaps 70

to 80 percent of all diseases and to 80 percent of all diseases and illnesses are stress-related;illnesses are stress-related;

Factors that have drawn attention Factors that have drawn attention to stress in modern times:to stress in modern times:

rapid change is very much a part of rapid change is very much a part of modern society; modern society;

the number of stressors in our lives is the number of stressors in our lives is increasing; increasing;

leisure time is decreasing; andleisure time is decreasing; and others?others?

1. In your own words, define the 1. In your own words, define the term stress.term stress.

2. From your own observations and 2. From your own observations and analysis, explain why you analysis, explain why you believe there is more or less believe there is more or less stress present in today’s society.stress present in today’s society.

DictionaryWebste

r’s

More stressed or less stress?More stressed or less stress? Before the 19th century, parents witnessed Before the 19th century, parents witnessed

the likelihood that only about 3 out of 10 the likelihood that only about 3 out of 10 newborn infants lived beyond the age of 25.newborn infants lived beyond the age of 25.

Today, fewer than 1 in 20 children die Today, fewer than 1 in 20 children die before they reach adulthood. However, the before they reach adulthood. However, the rates of suicide and homicides for youths rates of suicide and homicides for youths have dramatically increased. have dramatically increased.

Which generation experienced more stress?Which generation experienced more stress?

Definitions of stressDefinitions of stress

Stress is both an intricate phenomenon Stress is both an intricate phenomenon and a culturally defined concept and a culturally defined concept based on various perspectives of the based on various perspectives of the human condition.human condition.

As a result, there exists many different As a result, there exists many different interpretations of stress.interpretations of stress.

Popular views of stress.Popular views of stress.

Eastern philosophies have viewed Eastern philosophies have viewed stress as an absence of inner peace. stress as an absence of inner peace.

Western culture has more recently Western culture has more recently viewed stress as a loss of control.viewed stress as a loss of control.

Stress

is...

Richard Lazarus’ view of stressRichard Lazarus’ view of stress

Stress is a state of anxiety Stress is a state of anxiety produced when events and produced when events and responsibilities exceed one’s responsibilities exceed one’s coping abilities.coping abilities.

Hans Selye’s view of stressHans Selye’s view of stress

Stress is the nonspecific response Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand of the body to any demand placed upon it to adapt, whether placed upon it to adapt, whether that demand produces pleasure that demand produces pleasure or pain.or pain.

A holistic medicine view of A holistic medicine view of stressstress

Stress is the inability to cope with a Stress is the inability to cope with a real or real or perceivedperceived (or imagined) (or imagined) threat to one’s mental, physical, threat to one’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being emotional, and spiritual well-being which results in a series of which results in a series of physiological responses and physiological responses and adaptations. (FEAR)adaptations. (FEAR)

The Stress ResponseThe Stress Response(fight or flight response)(fight or flight response)

Introduced by Walter Cannon in Introduced by Walter Cannon in 1914.1914.

A survival instinct to fight or run.A survival instinct to fight or run. Meant for physical stressorsMeant for physical stressors..

The Stress ResponseThe Stress Response(fight or flight response)(fight or flight response)

Arousal also happens for non-physical stressors Arousal also happens for non-physical stressors (mental, emotional, & spiritual).(mental, emotional, & spiritual).

No matter if the threat is real (car accident) or No matter if the threat is real (car accident) or perceived (a noise at night), the stress perceived (a noise at night), the stress

response occurs.response occurs. The stress response occurs in proportion to the The stress response occurs in proportion to the

perceived danger.perceived danger.

Stages of the stress responseStages of the stress response

Stage 1: Stimuli received by brain through one Stage 1: Stimuli received by brain through one or or more of 5 senses.more of 5 senses.

Stage 2: Brain deciphers stimuli (either a threat or Stage 2: Brain deciphers stimuli (either a threat or as a non-threat)as a non-threat)

Stage 3: Body stays aroused until threat is over.Stage 3: Body stays aroused until threat is over. Stage 4: Body returns to homeostasis once the Stage 4: Body returns to homeostasis once the

threat is gone.threat is gone.

Symptoms of fight or flightSymptoms of fight or flight

increased heart rateincreased heart rate increased blood rateincreased blood rate increased ventilationincreased ventilation vasodilatation of arteries to body’s vasodilatation of arteries to body’s

periphery (arm and legs)periphery (arm and legs) increased serum glucose levelsincreased serum glucose levels

Symptoms of fight or flightSymptoms of fight or flight

increased free fatty acid mobilizationincreased free fatty acid mobilization increased blood coagulation and increased blood coagulation and

decreased clottingdecreased clotting increased muscular strengthincreased muscular strength decreased gastric movementdecreased gastric movement increased perspiration to cool body core increased perspiration to cool body core

temperaturetemperature

Three types of stressThree types of stress

Eustress Eustress “good”“good”

NeustressNeustressno consequential effectno consequential effect

DistressDistressAcute (intense); Chronic (prolonged)Acute (intense); Chronic (prolonged)

Eustress Distress

Maximum Performance

Poor High

LowGood

perf

orm

ance

illn

ess

poor performance poor performance

lowunderaroused-

bored

moderateoptimallyaroused

highoveraroused-overwhelmed

The Yerkes-Dodson Curve

Three types of stressorsThree types of stressors

BioecologicalBioecologicalNatural elements – sunlight, gravity etc.Natural elements – sunlight, gravity etc.

PsychointrapersonalPsychointrapersonalGreatest % of stressors – perceptions, Greatest % of stressors – perceptions,

ego & identity defenseego & identity defense

Social Social

Environment - overcrowding, hasslesEnvironment - overcrowding, hassles

General Adaptation SyndromeGeneral Adaptation Syndrome

Stage 1:Stage 1:

Alarm ReactionAlarm Reaction

Stage 2:Stage 2:

ResistanceResistance

Stage 3:Stage 3:

Exhaustion Exhaustion

TechnostressTechnostress

Information OverloadInformation Overload BoundariesBoundaries PrivacyPrivacy EthicsEthics Less Family TimeLess Family Time Computer DatingComputer Dating Outdated TechnologyOutdated Technology The Ever-widening “Digital Divide”The Ever-widening “Digital Divide”

College StressCollege Stress

Roommate dynamicsRoommate dynamics Professional pursuits and career pathProfessional pursuits and career path Academic deadlinesAcademic deadlines Financial aid and school loansFinancial aid and school loans Budgeting moneyBudgeting money Lifestyle behaviorsLifestyle behaviors Peer groups and peer pressurePeer groups and peer pressure Exploring sexualityExploring sexuality Friendships/intimate relationshipsFriendships/intimate relationships

Occupational StressOccupational Stress

Too much responsibility w/ no authorityToo much responsibility w/ no authority Unrealistic expectationsUnrealistic expectations Corporate downsizingCorporate downsizing Inadequate trainingInadequate training Lack of appreciationLack of appreciation Too much to do with too little time/resourcesToo much to do with too little time/resources CommutingCommuting Keeping pace w/technologyKeeping pace w/technology Poor working conditionsPoor working conditions

Wellness paradigmWellness paradigm

The integration, balance, and The integration, balance, and harmony of the mind, body, harmony of the mind, body, spirit, and emotions for optimal spirit, and emotions for optimal well-being, where the whole is well-being, where the whole is considered greater than the sum considered greater than the sum of the parts.of the parts.

Wellness paradigmWellness paradigm

Spiritual well-being

Emotionalwell-being

Mental(intellectual)well-being

Physicalwell-being

An effective holistic approach to An effective holistic approach to stress management includes:stress management includes:

Mental well-being: ability to gather, Mental well-being: ability to gather, process, recall, and process, recall, and

communicate communicate informationinformation Physical well-being: the ability of all Physical well-being: the ability of all

body’s physiological systems to body’s physiological systems to function optimallyfunction optimally

An effective holistic approach to An effective holistic approach to stress management includes:stress management includes:

Emotional well-being: ability to Emotional well-being: ability to recognize, feel, and control the recognize, feel, and control the entire range of human emotionsentire range of human emotions

Spiritual well-being: the evolution of Spiritual well-being: the evolution of higher consciousness through higher consciousness through relationships, values, and purpose in relationships, values, and purpose in lifelife

A holistic approach to A holistic approach to stress managementstress management

To deal effectively with stress all To deal effectively with stress all areas must be addressed equally areas must be addressed equally to integrate, balance, and give to integrate, balance, and give harmony for optimal well-beingharmony for optimal well-being