Stress Management

What is Stress?
Stress is the body's reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. The factors that cause stress are called stressors. Common examples of stressors are:

Financial Problems Major life changes

Being too busy

Children and Family Relationship Difficulties

Work

General Adaptation Syndrome

The first stage is called alarm, and this is the common fight or flight response most people experience when a stressor first occurs If stress continues, the body goes into the second stage, which is resistance The third stage of general adaptation syndrome is caused exhaustion. When stress is constant and extremely serious it may lead to death.

Alarm

Resistance

Exhaustion

Levels of Stress
Stress and Performance

Eustress And Distress

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 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

Individual
Type A personality Temperament characterized by excessive ambitiousness, aggressiveness, competitiveness, drive, impatience, need for control, focus on quantity over quality and unrealistic sense of urgency. It is commonly associated with heart diseases & ulcers. Type B personality Temperament characterized by moderate ambitiousness and drive, accommodating attitude, cooperativeness, focus on quality over quantity and, in general, an easy going approach to life.

Stress Management

Basic Definition of Stress Management.

Recognizing the symptoms of stress Identifying the causes Taking action to address the causes and thereby reduce the symptoms Where necessary, taking interim steps to relieve the symptoms until the underlying causes have been addressed

Approaches to Managing Stress

The first approach is to Avoid Stress all together Another approach is Symptom Reduction which includes formal relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation and Yoga. These techniques help reduce the intensity of the stress reaction. Problem Solving is another approach that can be used to eliminate the source of stress. It is a skill which can be developed and strengthened with practice.

Avoid Stress

Symptom Reduction

Problem Solving

1. Problem Solving Techniques TARP Method

T is for "Tune in" - Get into the habit of noticing early signs of stress. A is for "Analyze" - Think about the source or causes of your stress. R is for "Respond" - Deal with the cause of your stress, and its effects on you. P is for "Prevent" - Develop good stressreduction habits for a healthier lifestyle.