T H E B RA I N ' S R E S P O N S E T O A N Y D E M A N D .

STRESS

A state of mental or emotional strain resulting from very demanding circumstances.

TYPES OF STRESS

• Eustress- This is good stress, stress that gives you motivation and fulfillment.

examples: new puppy, packing for vacation, getting ready to graduate

• Distress- This is negative stress. Anxiety, suffering, or pain caused to mind and body.

• examples: loss of a loved one, abuse or neglect, unemployment

• Stressor- An activity, event, or other stimulus that causes stress.

• examples: weddings, funerals, upcoming tests

Any other examples of these you would like to share?

COPING SKILLS TO DEAL WITH STRESS

• Coping Skills- Efforts and strategies used to tolerate, reduce, or minimize stressful events

• GROUP ACTIVITY*I will put you into groups of 3 or 4. I will give you a sheet of paper, divide your paper in half. On one side of the paper you and your group will come up with negative coping skills and ways that will not reduce stress, and on the other side you and your group will come up with positive coping skills and ways to reduce stress. We will share after a few minutes.

Positive ways to deal with stress

Negative ways to deal with stress

Hobbies (yoga, dancing, running, etc.)

Over eating

Exercise Seeking revenge

Writing Worrying

Relaxing Spending money

Setting goals Denial

Time management Drugs/alcohol

Taking care of yourself Complaining

How does your chart compare to mine?

ADRENALINE/FIGHT OR FLIGHT

• Adrenaline- Adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands when the body believes it is involved in a stressful situation. When adrenaline is released our body is preparing us for fight or flight. With a rush of adrenaline, your heart rate and breathing rate increases and your senses become more acute. Our bodies stay like this until it feels no longer threatened.• The term "fight or flight" describes a mechanism

in the body that enables humans and animals to mobilize a lot of energy rapidly in order to cope with threats to survival.

ADRENALINE FIGHT/FLIGHT

• Your body acts differently in situations, how do you think you would react, either fight or flight in the following situations?• 1. A big angry bear comes into the classroom • 2. Someone challenges you to a race• 3. You find a roach in your bed

*Role Playing Activity**When are other times that you feel an adrenaline rush?

GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME

• The General Adaptation Syndromeis a theory presented by Hans Selye in 1936 to represent how the body reacts to stress in any given time.

STRESS RELATED ILLNESSES

• Muscle Spasms- muscle contractions that come on suddenly that are usually quite painful• Hypothyroidism- hypothyroidism is any state in

which thyroid hormone production is below normal• Insomnia- insomnia is the complaint of poor-

quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep • Fibromyalgia- fibromyalgia is a chronic pain

condition characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points. • Bruxism- bruxism is the medical term for teeth

grinding

MORE STRESS RELATED ILLNESSES

• Anxiety• Headaches• Panic Attacks • High blood pressure• Cough• Hair loss• Heart attack• Acne• Alcoholism • Depression

FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE MENTAL ILLNESS

• Stress related illnesses can predispose and individual to developing a mental illness• Mental illnesses come from a complex group of

genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.• Some mental illnesses that can develop from

stress related illnesses are: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many others

Yoga Poses

Closing Activity