Psych 1 - Stress and Health

Stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging

distress

negative stress

Eustress

positive stress

approach-approach conflict

Conflict that results from having to choose between two attractive alternatives

approach-avoidance conflict

A conflict in which there are both appealing and negative aspects to the decision to be made.

avoidance-avoidance conflict

conflict occurring when a person must choose between two undesirable goals

acute stress

short term stress

chronic stress

long term stress

Major life event stressors

Significant life experiences or changes

Catastrophic stressor

Sudden, unexpected potentially life-threatening experience or traumas

daily stressors/hassles

routine challenges that you have in your daily life

Cortisol

stress hormone

fight or flight

a reaction caused by adrenaline that prepares one to either fight the stressor or take flight and escape.

appraisal-focused coping

Attempts to reframe the stressors-changing one's perceptions and assumptions about the stressors

problem-focused coping

a type of coping in which people take direct steps to confront or minimize a stressor

emotion-focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to one's stress reaction

Adaptive Coping

Things such as exercise, sleep, nutrition, mindfulness, meditation, and gratitude that can alleviate symptoms of stress