| What is stress? | A situation “in which environmental demands, internal demands, or both, tax or exceed the adaptive resources of an individual, social system, or tissue system.” |
| What are some symptoms of stress | Chest pain
Sweating
Faintness
Palpitations
Anxiety/Difficulty sleeping or anger/confusion
Smoking, Drinking alcohol and drug use |
| What is the fast stress response | There is a physiological, psychological, and behavioural response to stress.
Fight or flight response ( Adrenaline and noradrenaline )
Part of the autonomic nervous system → fast response
Triggered by catecholamines
This leads to :
Increase heart rate, reduce digestion to save energy |
| What is the slow stress response | Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis – slow response
Release of cortisol – stress hormone
Increased blood sugar, inflammatory response
Short-term changes to mobilize for activity |
| What are some adverse effects of chronic stress | Cortisol can depress the immune system --> increased vulnerability to infection
Unhealthy behaviors are expressed as a coping mechanism --> alcohol consumption/smoking
Mental health can also be affected |
| What are the stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome ( GAS ) | Alarm --> The event happens causing mobilization in order to meet and resist the stressor ( flight or fight response )
Resistance --> The body attempts to resolve the problem however if the stressor continues, cortisol levels remain high
Exhaustion --> Defensive resources are depleted and the physical strain will cause the body to become exhausted which can lead to illness and death |
| What are some stress management strategies | Mindfulness
Pharmaceutical
Exercise, Relaxation
Counselling, social support
Skills training , time-management
Cognitive restructuring, hypothesis testing , meditating |
