What is stress? How can someone like Shawn, the soccer player, like stress? Stress is the physical and mental response to a perceived threat or challenge.
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Stress Stress
As we’ll discuss in this lesson, there are good stressors and bad stressors. Although there are some standard responses to stress, everyone tends to exhibit different signs and symptoms.
Stress Fight-or-Flight Response
A standard physical response to stress is known as the fight-or-flight response. The fight-or-flight response is the activation of the sympathetic nervous system that prepares the body to challenge or flee from a perceived threat.
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Stress Fight-or-Flight Response
Effects of the Fight-or-Flight Response include: Increased blood flow to the muscles Decreased blood flow to the digestive system Increased heart rate Increased breathing Adrenalin released into the bloodstream
Stress Fight-or-Flight Response
Stress and the fight-or-flight response can lead to various physical, emotional, mental, and behavioral symptoms. Individuals differ as to which signs they typically experience during stress.
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Stress Emotional Signs
Emotional signs of stress include:
Crying Frustration A short temper Nervousness Boredom Worrying Lessened confidence
Stress Mental Stress
Mental signs of stress include:
Difficulty making a decision Trouble concentrating Forgetfulness Loss of one’s sense of humor Lack of creativity
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Stress Behavioral Signs
Behavioral signs of stress include:
Not eating or overeating Substance abuse Tapping feet Hurrying Nervous ticks Changes in social interaction Changes in activity level
Stress Stressor
Knowing the possible signs of stress can help you recognize when you are stressed, so that you can identify the source, or stressor.
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Stress Stressor
A stressor is any event that is perceived by the individual to be stressful. Stressors are subjective; this means that they differ from person to person. What one person thinks is stressful may not be stressful to another.
Stress Categories of Stressors
There are five categories of stressors:
Biological Stressors Environmental Stressors Cognitive (or Thinking) Stressors Personal Behavior Stressors Life Situations
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Stress Biological Stressors
Biological stressors are sources of stress caused by problems originating with the body. Examples include:
Chemical imbalances Mental disorders Physical illnesses Disabilities Injuries
Stress Environmental Stressors
Environmental stressors are sources of stress caused by the world in which you live. Examples include: Crowding Long lines Pollution Poverty Noise Natural disasters Weather
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Stress Cognitive Stressors
Cognitive (or thinking) stressors are sources of stress caused by the way you think. Examples include: Your expectations of a given situation Your outlook The inability to say “no” Feelings of guilt Negative self-talk Sensitivity to criticism
Stress Personal Behavior Stressors
Personal behavior stressors are sources of stress caused by actions you take. Examples include: Substance abuse Not exercising Starting a fight with a sibling
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Stress Life Situations
Life situations are sources of stress caused by changes in your life. Examples include: The death of a pet Your parents getting a divorce Moving Problems with friends
Stress Stress
Some of these stressors are experienced daily and are minor hassles, whereas other stressors are the result of major changes. Stress is a normal aspect of life; in fact, not all stress has negative consequences.
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Stress Yerkes-Dodson Law
Psychologists Yerkes and Dodson studied the effects of stress on performance. The results are now known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law.
Stress Yerkes-Dodson Law
Performance Level
High
The Yerkes-Dodson Law states that stress increases performance up to a certain point, but too much stress decreases performance.
Low
High
Stress Level
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Stress Eustress
Stress that increases performance is known as eustress, or positive stress. Eustress is why Shawn, the soccer player, likes stress. Eustress can help you perform better on tests or become physically stronger. It occurs when there are positive changes in your life, such as getting married.
Stress Distress
Distress is negative stress. Distress occurs when we have more stress than we are able to cope with.
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Stress Distress
For Shawn’s teammates, getting so stressed before a game could be more than they can handle. Therefore, although it is eustress for Shawn, it would be distress for his teammates.
