Chap 3: Stress management

Question 1

What are stressors? Explain the 2 types.

Answer 1

Stressors are things that upset or excite us

• Tangible (e.g., dealing with an angry friend)
• Intangible (e.g., emotions that arise when you are participating in an athletic competition)

Question 2

What are the categories of stressors?

Answer 2

• Acute time-limited stressors
• Brief stressors
• Life-change events
• Chronic stressors
• Distant stressors

Question 3

What are the 3 types of stress?

Answer 3

• Eustress: positive stress that challenges us to grow, adapt, and find creative solutions
  e.g., births, reunions, weddings
• Distress: negative effects of stress that can deplete or destroy life energy
• Neustress: neutral stress – neither good nor bad

Question 4

Explain the GAS model stages.

Answer 4

• Alarm: The body temporarily lowers resistance; the body makes internal adjustments to cope with the stressor and returns to normal activity
• Resistance: body mobilizes its internal resources to try to sustain homeostasis
• Exhaustion: inability to keep up normal functioning; small amount of additional stress can cause a breakdown

Question 5

Explain how the autonomic nervous system is stimulated.

Answer 5

• Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) “speeds things up”
• Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) “slows things down,” restoring homeostasis

Question 6

What are the effects of stress on the body?

Answer 6

1. Heart rate increases and blood pressure rises.

*Persistently elevated blood pressure and
heart rate can increase the potential for blood clotting and risk of stroke or heart attack.

2. Breathing quickens.
   *Increased susceptibility to colds and
   respiratory infections
3. The digestive system slows down.
   *Upset stomach

Question 7

How to manage stress?

Answer 7

Relaxation Techniques include:

• Breathing exercises
• Biofeedback
• Meditation or guided imagery
• Mindfulness
• Progressive relaxation
• Visualization