Chapter 10- Stress, health, and human flourishing

Define stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events that we appraise as threating or challenging

Define stressors

specific events or challenges that triggers stress

Define stress reactions

Physical and emotional responses to stressors

How does our appraisal of an event affects our stress reactions?

once an event is appraised as a stressor (the primary appraisal), we then assess our ability to respond to it (the secondary appraisal)

What type of stressor is a large scale disaster?

Catastrophe

What are some examples of significant life changes?

Leaving home, someone dying, taking on student debt, losing a job, getting divorced, graduating from college, or marrying

What are some examples of daily hassle that leads to stress

Lost keys, irritating housemates, social media interruptions, overwhelming to-do list, chronic workplace stress can lead to burnout

What is the fight or flight response?

an emergency response, including activity of the sympathetic nervous system, that mobilizes energy and activity for attack or escaping a threat

What was Walter Cannon’s idea of the fight or flight response?

extreme cold, lack of oxygen, and emotion arousing events all trigger an outpouring of stress hormones from adrenal glands

What was the sequence of fight or flight response in our bodies?

brain sounds an alarm → sympathetic nervous system response → body reacts

What is phase one of Hans Seyle’s general adaption syndrome?

The alarm reaction, where the body detects stress and prepares to respond.

What is phase two of Hans Seyle’s general adaption syndrome?

The resistance stage, where the body adapts to the stressor and attempts to restore balance.

What is phase three of Hans Seyle’s general adaption syndrome?

The exhaustion stage, where prolonged stress leads to decreased function and potential health issues.

How does stress influence our immune system?

Stress can weaken the immune system, making it less effective in fighting off infections and diseases.

What is emotion-focused coping?

Attempting to reduce stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to our stress reaction

Which way of coping is, not get along with a family member we may relieve stress by confiding in friends and reaching out for support and comfort?

Emotional-focused coping

What is problem-focused coping?

Attempting to reduce stress directly by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor

Which way of coping is, when our impatience leads to family fight we may directly go to that family member to work things out?

problem-focused coping

What is personal control?

Our sense of controlling our environment rather than feeling helpless  

How does personal control influence stress and health?

Lost of control leads to levels of stress hormones and blood pressure increasing weakening our immune responses

What type of people are optimists and how does it affect their health?

People who expect the best and expect their efforts to lead to good things and leads to better moods and stronger immune systems

What type of people are pessimists and how does it affect their health?

People who expect the worst, often leading to increased stress levels and negative health outcomes

Why is it important to have social support and how does it affect our health?

Social support provides emotional and practical assistance, which can reduce stress levels, enhance coping strategies, and improve overall health outcomes.

Why is it important to find meaning in life and how does it affect our health?

Finding meaning in life can enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve mental health by providing a sense of purpose and direction.

What are some stress management strategies?

Aerobic excercises, relaxation and meditation, faith communities and health

What do happy people typically do?

Complete self-less acts

What are the 7 feelings happiness is related to?

Connection, Appreciation, Acceptance, Small pleasures, Love, Growth, Modest aspirations

What is the adaptation level phenomenon?

describes the tendency for people to judge the pleasantness or unpleasantness of new experiences based on their prior levels of adaptation

What is the relative deprivation phenomenon?

the feeling of being worse off or disadvantaged when comparing oneself to others, a reference group, or one's own past