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UNDERSTANDING STRESS
Stress- refers to body’s reaction to perceived threats or tension that affects our body’s balance – Dr. Hans Selye.
Balance (Homeostasis) - refers to our normal, healthy, steady state.
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) - a model that explains the individual’s bodily response whenever facing a
stressful situation. Its three phases are:
1. Alarm Phase- Stressor has been recognized. It could be a problem, a difficulty, or threat stirring reactions in
your body. The nervous system is activated. Your hormones act up, producing a surge of energy intended to
allow you to handle the stressful situation.
2. Resistance Phase- Being able to handle stress or adapt to the situation, you are able to restore a sense of
balance once again. Your defences may still be up, though. Your body is still in a state of arousal to resist any
effects of stress in you.
3. Exhaustion Phase- If the stressful situation persists and you are no longer able to neither adjust nor hold up,
exhaustion sets in that can seriously affect your body. Burnout, fatigue, dysfunction, or health problems can
occur.
The body sets to the stage of “fight or flight” reaction. It is the body’s way of dealing with the perceived danger or threat
that terrifies or creates stress for the individual. Basically, it mobilizes the body to face the stress or run away from it.
Stress can be understand in a two-way process involving the environment (stressor) and the person’s way looking at
the situation (appraisal). Stress essentially depends on how the person sees the situation and his/her ability to deal
with it.
Richard Lazarus- developed the theory of cognitive appraisal which explains how an individual responds to stress.
According to him, the appraisal or the assessment of the situation involves:
1. Primary Appraisal- at the onset of the stressful event, you think about its meaning or importance.
2. Secondary Appraisal- this involves how you cope with the stressful situation.
UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONS
Emotion- conscious mental reaction subjectively experienced as a strong feeling usually directed toward a specific
object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioural changes in the body (Merriam-Webster).
- a natural instinctive state of mind derived from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others
(Oxford).
Components of Emotions
1. Cognitive aspect- refers to your evaluation of the event or situation. It is your personal interpretation. Hence,
subjective.
2. Physical / Physiological aspect- it is what goes on inside your body or the autonomic arousal and response.
3. Behavioral aspect- outward expression of emotion
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
-handling emotions is its key aspect
Emotional Quotient- awareness of one’s emotion and ability to understand the emotions of others. It involves managing
emotions and applying them to enhance good thinking processes like reasoning , solving problems, and even handling
stress
Key skills to raise EQ level are: heightened awareness; effective management, and positive application of emotions.
*Good EQ has positive effects on mental health and you are well aware of your feelings and are open to experiences.