WHAT
IS STRESS?
l Stress is your mind and body’s response or reaction to a real or imagined threat, event or change.
l The threat, event or change are commonly called stressors. Stressors can be internal (thoughts, beliefs, attitudes or external (loss, tragedy, change).
LEVELS OF STRESS
EUSTRESS
Eustress or positive stress occurs when your level of stress is high enough to motivate you to move into action to get things accomplished
DISTRESS
Distress or negative stress occurs when your level of stress is either too high or too low and your body and/or mind begin to respond negatively to the stressors.
STAGES OF STRESS
1. ALARM STAGE
As you begin to experience a stressful event or perceive something to be stressful psychological changes occur in your body. This experience or perception disrupts your body’s normal balance and immediately your body begins to respond to the stressor(s) as effectively as possible.
EXAMPLES
l Cardiac - increased heart rate
l Respiratory - increased respiration
l Skin - decreased temperature
l Hormonal - increased stimulation of adrenal genes which produce an adrenal rush.
2. RESISTANCE STAGE
During this stage your body tries to cope or adapt to the stressors by beginning a process of repairing any damage the stressor has caused. Your friends, family or co-workers may notice changes in you before you do so it is important to examine their feedback to make sure you do not reach overload.
EXAMPLES
l Behaviour indicators include: lack of enthusiasm for family, school, work or life in general, withdrawal, change in eating habits, insomnia, hypersomnia, anger, fatigue.
l Cognitive Indicators include: poor problem solving, confusion, nightmares, hyper-vigilance.
RESISTANCE STAGE
MORE EXAMPLES
Emotional indicators include:
l tearfulness
l fear
l anxiety
l panic
l guilt
l agitation
l depression
l overwhelmed.
3. EXHAUSTION STAGE
During this stage the stressor is not being managed effectively and the body and mind are not able to repair the damage.
EXAMPLES
Digestive disorders, withdrawal, headaches, tension, insomnia, loss of temper.
STUDENT STRESS RATING SCALE
The following are events that occur in
the life of a college student. Place a
check in the left-hand column for each of those events that has
happened to you during the last 12 months.
___ Death of a close family member - 100 points
____ Jail term - 80 points
____ Final year or first year in college - 63 points
____ Pregnancy (to you or caused by your) - 60 points
____ Severe personal illness or injury - 53 points
____ Marriage - 50 points
____ Any interpersonal problems - 45 points
____ Financial difficulties - 40 points
____ Death of a close friend - 40 points
____ Arguments with your roommate (more than every other day) - 40 points
____ Major disagreements with your family - 40 points’
Score: _________________
STUDENT STRESS RATING SCALE
The following are events that occur in
the life of a college student. Place a
check in the left-hand column for each of those events that has
happened to you during the last 12 months.
____ Major change in personal habits - 30 points
____ Change in living environment - 30 points
____ Beginning or ending a job - 30 points
____Problems with your boss or professor - 25 points
____ Outstanding personal achievement - 25 points
____ Failure in some course - 25 points
____ Final exams - 20 points
Score: _________________
STUDENT STRESS RATING SCALE
The following are events that occur in
the life of a college student. Place a
check in the left-hand column for each of those events that has
happened to you during the last 12 months.
____ Increased or decreased dating - 20
points
____ Changes in working conditions - 20 points
____ Change in your major
____ Change in your sleeping habits - 18 points
____ Several-day vacation - 15 points
____ Change in eating habits - 15 points
____ Family reunion - 15 points
____ Change in recreational activities - 15 points
____ Minor illness or injury - 15 points
____ Minor violations of the law - 11 points
Score: _________________
INTERPRETING YOUR SCORE
l Less than 150 points : relatively low stress level in relation to life events
l 150 - 300 points : borderline range
l Greater than 300 points : high stress in relation to life events
I’M IN CONTROL - DISTRESS RELIEF
STRATEGIES
Feeling good about yourselves
can be an effective buffer against stress. Eliminate unnecessary worries.
Most worries are either passed on to us
by another or conjured up in our imagination.
GET PHYSICAL
1.
Relax neck and shoulders
2.
Take a stretch
3.
Get a massage
4.
Exercise
I’M IN CONTROL - DISTRESS RELIEF
STRATEGIES
GET MENTAL
5.
Count to 10
6.
Control your thoughts
7.
Fantasize
8.
Congratulate yourself
9.
Ignore the problem if appropriate, after evaluation
10.
Perform self maintenance
11.
Talk to a counsellor
GET SPIRITUAL
12.
Meditate
13.
Pray
14.
Remember your purpose
USE YOUR BODY AND MIND TOGETHER
15.
Take a break
16.
Get hug therapy
17.
Try progressive relaxation
18.
Try yoga
19.
Try aroma therapy
20.
Laugh
DEVELOP NEW SKILLS
21.
Prioritize daily tasks
22.
Learn something
23.
Practice a hobby
MORE STRATEGIES
l “What is Stress” Web Site. http//www.teachhealth.com
l How to reduce and relieve stress “Web Site. http//www.family.com
l “Stress Relievers” Web Site.
http//www.residentassistant.com
l “Massage” Downing, G. (1972). Massage
Book. New York: Random House.
l “Aromatherapy” Web Site.
http//www/aromaweb.com/articles/wharoma.as
l “Yoga” Web Site. http//www.kevala.co.uk/yoga/overview.htr