stress and its effects class in our life1.pptx

Effects of stress

1. Stress & its Effects By Shahnaz Qayyum

2. Objectives At the end of this unit students will be able to: Identify major sources of psychological stress Identify factors influencing stress intolerance Develop understanding about achieving self-control through self -modification

3. What is stress? STRESS “Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation”.(WHO) Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being.

4. Principal Categories of Stress Physical stressors and Psychological stressors

5. Principal Categories of Stress Physical stressors : Those stressors that impinge upon the five senses and pertain to the domain of the tangible and concrete. These are stress triggers that we can see, hear, touch, smell or taste. For Example: A car coming straight at us on the sidewalk is a real, tangible and imminent physical threat, which must and does trigger an immediate stress reaction.  We respond to this physical threat by stepping out of the way, instinctively and without giving it much thought. Included in the physical stressors is pain, which is the body’s reaction to a harmful agent that attacks its structure.

6. Psychological stressors Psychological stressors are events or situations that challenge an individual’s mental or emotional equilibrium. They are often subjective, varying significantly from person to person depending on their experiences, coping mechanisms, and personal resilience. Examples of psychological stressors include: Academic pressures Caring for others Dealing with loss Family conflicts Life transitions Perfectionism or self-imposed pressures Personal health concerns Traumatic events Isolation

7. psychological Stressor 2 ) Psychological stressors: To understand psychological stressors it is important to remember that they can fall into two distinct categories: a. Real Psychological Stressors b. Perceived psychological Stressors Real psychological stressors are produced by the perception of an emotional danger or threat, in other words by a concern over something that is based on reality and does or may objectively occur. An example of this may be an impending relationship breakup.   Perceived psychological stressors are produced by the same mechanism, and are a concern over events or situations that are often based on reality but may be exaggerated or may in fact never occur. An example of the latter may be a worry or concern over an unnamed threat

8. Types of psychological stress 1) Crises/catastrophes 2) Major life events 3) Daily hassles/micro stressors 4) Ambient stressors.

9. 1) Crises/Catastrophes/Disaster This type of stressor is unforeseen and unpredictable and, as such, is completely out of the control of the individual. Examples of crises and catastrophes include: devastating natural disasters, such as major floods or earthquakes, wars, pandemics, etc.

10. 2. Major life events Common examples of major life events include: marriage, going to college, death of a loved one, birth of a child, divorce, moving houses, etc. These events, either positive or negative, can create a sense of uncertainty and fear, which will ultimately lead to stress.

11. 3. Daily hassles/micro stressors This category includes daily annoyances and minor hassles. Examples include: making decisions, meeting deadlines at work or school, traffic jams, encounters with irritating personalities, etc. Often, this type of stressor includes conflicts with other people. Daily stressors, however, are different for each individual, as not everyone perceives a certain event as stressful. For example, most people find public speaking to be stressful, but someone who has experience with it will not.

12. Types of conflicts that can cause stress. The approach-approach conflict, occurs when a person is choosing between two equally attractive options, i.e. whether to go see a movie or to go see a concert. The avoidance-avoidance conflict, occurs where a person has to choose between two equally unattractive options. For Examples of this include choosing between surgery or radiation treatments for cancer, or choosing between a lower salary at work or unemployment. The approach-avoidance conflict, occurs when a person is forced to choose whether or not to partake in something that has both attractive and unattractive traits – such as whether or not to attend an expensive college (meaning taking out loans now, but also meaning a quality education and employment after graduation).

13. 4. Ambient stressors As the name implies, these are global (as opposed to individual) low-grade stressors that are a part of the background environment. They are defined as stressors that are "chronic, negatively valued, non-urgent, physically perceptible, and intractable to the efforts of individuals to change them". Typical examples of environment stressors are pollution, noise, crowding, and traffic. Unlike the other three types of stressor, ambient stressors can (but do not necessarily have to) negatively impact stress without conscious awareness .

14. Major Sources of stress

15. Major Sources of Stress Major sources includes: Environmental Social Physiological Cognitive- Emotional Occupational stressors Life change stressors

16. 1) Environmental: Includes physical stressors that impinge upon the five senses, such as weather, traffic, noise, pollution, and disturbing images. 2) Social/psychological Includes psychological stressors triggered when demands are made on our time, attention and skills, such as in job interviews, public speaking, work presentations, interpersonal conflict, competing priorities, financial problems, and loss of relationships and loved ones.

17. Social Stressors cont. Cyberbullying or online harassment Discrimination and stigma Life transitions leading to social role changes Parenting challenges Peer pressure Relationship issues Social expectations and roles Social isolation Workplace social dynamics

18. 3. Physiological: Includes physical stressors that are produced at various stages in our life, such as during growth spurts in adolescence, menopause, lack of exercise, poor nutrition  insufficient sleep, illness, injuries, and aging. 4. Cognitive-emotional: Th e principal source of this type of stress is our own thoughts. Our brain interprets changes in our environment and body and conducts an automatic “threat assessment” to decide whether a danger is present and thus mobilize the body’s defenses. The good functioning, or poor functioning of our threat assessment mechanism determines whether we become alarmed appropriately or inappropriately, and whether to remain stressed or relax. Note: All these are the sources of psychological stress

19. Occupational Stressors Occupational stressors are stress-inducing factors associated with one’s job or career. They can arise from various aspects of the work environment, job responsibilities, interpersonal relationships at work, or organizational culture. Examples may include: Career development concerns Pay rates Challenging work environment High workload or overwork Inadequate rewards, promotion opportunities, or recognition Job insecurity

20. Occupational Stressors Lack of control or autonomy Poor interpersonal relationships at work Poor work-life balance Poor leadership Unclear job expectations Workplace bullying or harassment Workplace discrimination or inequality

21. Life change stressors Life change stressors are significant events or transitions in a person’s life that require considerable adjustment, adaptation, or coping. These changes can be both positive and negative, but regardless of their nature, they often bring about stress due to the disruption of familiar routines, roles, and environments. Examples of life changes that can cause stress include: Children leaving home Divorce or relationship breakup

22. Life change stressors Marriage or the start of a relationship Birth of a child Illness Loss of a job or unemployment Loss of a loved one Move to a new city or country Retirement a new job or career change

23. THANK YOU