Fact vs Fiction
Stress can be eliminated
Fiction!
Stress cannot be eliminated, it can be reduced with the proper tools and coping skills learned.
What are some of the most common stressors?
1. Work
2. School
3. Relationship
4. Family Responsibilities
5. Health concerns
Good stress is the type of stress you feel when you're excited
Eustress
Definition: Stress that is negative. Examples of common negative stressors are relationship problems, unemployment and injury.
What is Distress?
What are 3 effective strategies to handle stress and reduce its effects?
1. Exercise regularly
2. Eat well
3. Mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
Stress can be controlled with medication.
Fiction!
There is no medication that can control stress, only medication that can temporarily relieve some of the symptoms caused by stress.
All of the following are effective coping skills except:
exercise, talking to a friend, frantically calling your therapist, sleeping, watching TV
What are some examples of positive stress?
Having a baby, getting a promotion, graduation, moving, getting a new car, finding a significant other, etc.
This can put you at increased risk for a variety of physical and mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, digestive issues, headaches, muscle tension and pain, heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep problems, weight gain, and memory and concentration impairment.
What is the first step in handling stress?
Step 1: Identify whether you are stressed.
You always know when you’re under stress.
People can be very good at ignoring daily stresses. Often we do not know we are under stress until we get headaches, stomach problems, or blow up with anger.
Definition: Coping is defined as the thoughts and behaviors mobilized to manage internal and external stressful situations.
What are coping skills?
Working toward challenging goals at work
What is an example of positive stress?
What are three examples of negative stress?
Losing your job, getting a separation, getting sick, death of a loved one, abuse or neglect, etc.
How do you create a stress management plan?
1. Identify your stressor and your responses to it.
2. A list of what you can and cannot control.
3. Realistic thoughts that replace unrealistic thoughts.
4. A list of self-care activities.
FACT!
CBT alone is 50-75% effective for overcoming stressors after 5 – 15 sessions.
Definition: Finding practical ways to reduce or solve the issue that’s causing you stress.
What are Problem focused coping skill?
Resiliency, confidence in your ability to succeed, hopefulness, optimism
What are examples of positive stress?
What is the first stage of negative stress?
The Alarm Stage
The alarm stage is when the central nervous system is awakened, causing your body's defenses to assemble. This results in a fight-or-flight response.
What are some emotional signs that you are stressed?
Stress contributes to digestive problems.
FACT!
Many symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowl Syndrome) are related to high levels of stress.
Yes or No
Coping skills cannot be taught; they are already within you.
No, sometimes we need help finding out what are our coping skills and how they can help us.
“I am nervous about presenting in a meeting, but last time I presented, I did well and got high praise. I worked hard on this presentation."
What is this an example of?
What is positive thinking?
How long does it take to recover from stress?
The recovery can take several months and you may be sensitive to stress for many years ahead.
What is the single most important thing you can do for stress?
Change your thinking style!