Stress: Definitions
Stress Physiology
Effects of Stress
Stress Management Strategies
More Stress Management Strategies
100
A biological and psychological response to a perceived threat.
What is stress?
100
The body's automatic response to danger.
What is the Fight or Flight response?
100
Heart rate and blood pressure increase; breathing becomes more rapid; blood flow increases throughout the body; skin gets cool and clammy; digestion slows down.
What are the physiological effects of acute stress?
100
A stress management strategy that includes: learning to say "no"; limiting exposure to stressful people and situations; paring down your "to do" list; and staying away from "hot button" topics.
What is avoiding the stressor?
100
A method of stress reduction in which one takes slow, deep, "belly" breaths.
What is deep breathing?
200
A stimulus that causes stress.
What is stressor?
200
The part of the nervous system that controls bodily functions over which we have no conscious control.
What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
200
Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder
What are psychological effects of stress?
200
A stress management strategy that includes:expressing your feelings instead of bottling them up; being willing to compromise; being more assertive; and managing your time better.
What is altering the stressor?
200
A method of stress reduction in which one sequentially tightens all the muscles in the body and then voluntarily relaxes them.
What is progressive muscle relaxation?
300
A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses
What is a neuron?
300
The part of the nervous system responsible for the stress response.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
300

Older age; being female, especially a working mother; less education; being divorced or widowed; experiencing financial strain; being isolated or lonely; being a target of racial or sexual discrimination; living in a city

What are individuals at higher risk for stress?

300
A stress management strategy that includes:trying to view a situation from a different perspective; looking at the big picture ("how important will this be in the long run?"); adjusting your standards to be more reasonable (not expecting perfection); and focusing on the positive.
What is adapting to the stressor?
300
A method of stress reduction in which one visualizes images that are calming and relaxing.
What is guided imagery?
400
The uncomfortable mental and physical sensation of the mind and/or body to an isolated challenging event or anticipated undesirable change.
What is acute stress?
400
The area in the brain that control the body's response to stress
What is the hypothalamus?
400
Decreased immune system functioning; heart disease; hypertension (high blood pressure) and risk of stroke; gastrointestinal problems; weight gain or loss; headaches; sleep disturbances; loss of concentration and problems learning.
What are the effects of chronic stress?
400
A stress management strategy that includes:letting go of control; connecting with others and sharing your feelings; learning to forgive; recognizing uncontrollable challenges as opportunities for personal growth.
What is accepting the stressor?
400
An intentional and self-regulated focusing of attention, whose purpose is to relax and calm the mind and body.
What is mindfulness meditation?
500
The stress of unrelenting demands and pressures for seemingly interminable periods of time.
What is chronic stress?
500
The hormones that are released by the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex in response to stress.
What is adrenaline (or epinephrine) and corticosteroids?
500
The effect of a level of stress that is neither too low, resulting in boredom, or too high, resulting in exhaustion, ill health and burnout.
What is optimal performance?
500
A stress management strategy that includes: exercising regularly; eating a healthy diet; reducing caffeine and sugar; avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs; and getting enough sleep.
What is adopting a healthy lifestyle?
500
A system of exercises which includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, and is widely practiced for health and relaxation.
What is yoga?
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