Chapter 6

Body scan

Relaxation technique that involves paying careful attention to the body, scanning it for signs of tension, and then releasing that tension.

Burnout

State of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion; occurs due to prolonged stress.

Cardiovascular system

Body system that transports blood throughout the body; consists of the heart and blood vessels.

Cognition

Ability to think, reason, and remember.

Digestive system

Body system consisting of organs that take in foods, pass nutrients from these sources into the bloodstream, and then expel waste out of the body.

Distress

Stress that causes negative feelings and harmful health effects.

Endocrine system

Body system that consists of glands, which secrete hormones to regulate body processes.

Eustress

Positive stress that encourages growth and motivation.

Fight or flight response

Physiological stress reaction in which the body mobilizes its resources to fight off or escape from a perceived threat; also called the stress response.

Immune system

Body system consisting of organs, tissues, and cells that defend against infection.

mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

Act of using relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization, focused attention, and guided movements, while focusing intensely on the present.

Nervous system

Body system that consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that trade information throughout the body.

Positive reappraisal

Act of thinking about the good aspects of stressful events.

PTSD

Stress-related disorder characterized by flashbacks, feelings of numbness, and difficulty sleeping after an extremely stressful event.

Progressive muscle relaxation

Relaxation technique that involves tensing and then relaxing each part of the body until the whole body feels relaxed.

Relaxation response

Physiological reaction in which the body returns to its resting state after a stressful event.

Reproductive system

Body system consisting of organs that work together to create new human life; is different between males and females.

Stress

Body’s physical and psychological reactions to situations people perceive as threats.

Stress hormones

Chemicals that coordinate the fight-or-flight response; include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol.

Stress management

Process of using strategies to reduce the impact of the stress response and handle threatening situations in positive ways.

Stress related disorder

Mental illness that develops as a result of stressful events; examples include acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Stressors

Factors that lead to stress.

Technostress

Type of stress caused by the constant presence of technology.

Time management

Practice of devoting the appropriate amount of time to each task, only committing to tasks you have time for, and prioritizing tasks; helps people reach goals and reduce stress.

Toxic stress

Stress caused by repeated, long-lasting exposure to severe stressors, such as neglect and abuse, violence, or loss of a loved one.

Trauma

Extreme stress due to deeply disturbing events, such as disasters, sexual assault, or violence.

Visualization

Relaxation technique that involves imagining one’s self in a pleasant environment.