Mental and Physical Health Flashcards

Flashcards for Mental and Physical Health - Introduction to Health Psychology and Positive Psychology

Health Psychology

The study of how biological, psychological, and social factors influence a person’s physical health and well-being.

Behavior (in Health Psychology)

Factors such as smoking, diet, exercise, and substance use that strongly affect physical outcomes.

Mental Processes (in Health Psychology)

Factors such as stress, emotional states, coping styles, and mindset that can enhance or weaken the immune system.

Social Context (in Health Psychology)

Family attitudes, peer pressure, and cultural beliefs about illness and wellness.

Stress

Your body’s and mind’s response to stressors; can be real or perceived, acute or chronic.

Eustress

Stress that motivates you to achieve goals or rise to a challenge.

Distress

Stress that overwhelms your ability to cope, feeling unpleasant or harmful.

Stressors

Sources of stress, including traumatic events, daily hassles, and adverse childhood experiences.

Traumatic Events

Natural disasters, severe accidents, assault.

Daily Hassles

Minor frustrations (traffic jams, arguments, constant noise) that accumulate.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Stressful/traumatic events in childhood (abuse, neglect, household dysfunction).

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage model describing how the body responds to prolonged stress (alarm, resistance, exhaustion).

Alarm Reaction (GAS Phase 1)

Encounter the stressor → Body sounds the alarm, activating the fight-flight-freeze response. Adrenaline and cortisol surge; heart rate and breathing quicken.

Resistance (GAS Phase 2)

If stress persists, you enter a stage of coping with the stressor. You may feel energized by adrenaline, staying up late or working extra hard. However, maintaining this high alert eventually wears down the body.

Exhaustion (GAS Phase 3)

If the stressor ends or your resources run out, you crash. The body is depleted, weak immunity → vulnerability to illness is highest.

Fight Response

Act aggressively to eliminate the threat.

Flight Response

Escape or avoid the stressor.

Freeze Response

Shut down, become immobile.

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

Instead of confrontation or escape, one might tend to personal needs (self-care) or care for others, and befriend by seeking social support and bonding.

Problem-Focused Coping

Treating stress as a problem to be solved; focusing on tackling the source of stress directly.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Managing emotional reactions to stress rather than altering the stressor itself.

Positive Psychology

The scientific study of factors that promote well-being, resilience, positive emotions, and psychological health.

Well-Being (Positive Psychology)

True happiness doesn’t come from temporary pleasures but from lasting sources.

Resilience

The ability to adapt and recover from difficulties.

Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)

a positive subjective experience that may result after the experience of trauma or stress.

Positive Emotions

Experiencing joy, gratitude, and awe improves mental and physical health.

Gratitude

An appreciative state of thankfulness for what one has (tangible or intangible).

Virtues

The big broad qualities that define a good life.

Strengths

The specific personality traits and actions that allow people to embody those virtues.

Wisdom

Thinking deeply, making sound decisions, and learning from experiences.

Courage

Pushing through challenges, standing up for what is right, and persisting even when things get tough.

Humanity

Forming strong, compassionate relationships.

Justice

Fairness, teamwork, and leadership.

Temperance

Managing impulses, emotions, and behaviors in a way that promotes long-term happiness and stability.

Transcendence

Feeling connected to something greater than oneself, whether through spirituality, nature, art, or gratitude.

Example of Eustress

Feeling nervous about moving away from home but also excited about new opportunities.

Example of Distress

Forgetting to submit a project on time and feeling overwhelmed by the penalty.

Example of Eustress

Feeling heart racing before a competition but using the adrenaline rush to perform better.

Example of Distress

Feeling tense and struggling to focus during an important job interview.

Example of Eustress

Feeling pressured about an upcoming exam but this stress pushes one to study harder.

Example of Distress

Dreading presenting a project, losing sleep, and considering skipping school to avoid it.

Example of Eustress

Feeling slightly overwhelmed but enjoying making a surprise birthday party perfect.

Example of Distress

Feeling drained and unable to focus after a heated argument with parents.

Example of Eustress

Feeling nervous but mostly thrilled about getting married in two days.

Example of Distress

Panicking when the car breaks down on the way to an exam, fearing it will ruin hard work.

Example of Freeze Response

When giving a presentation, the mind goes completely blank and one is unable to speak.

Example of Fight Response

Raising one's voice and aggressively defending an opinion during a heated debate.

Example of Flight Response

Deciding to binge-watch Netflix instead of studying for an important test.

Example of Freeze Response

Just sitting there and staring at the steering wheel when the car breaks down.

Example of Tend-and-Befriend Response

Texting a best friend and calling mom for reassurance after a disappointing grade.

Example of Fight Response

Pushing harder and becoming more aggressive to motivate teammates when losing a game.

Example of Flight Response

Suddenly stopping responding to texts and avoiding seeing a friend after a disagreement.

Example of Tend-and-Befriend Response

Offering emotional support and reassuring a friend going through a difficult breakup.

Example of Problem-Focused Coping

Making a study schedule, prioritizing topics, and systematically reviewing notes for exams.

Example of Emotion-Focused Coping

Journaling, meditating, and talking to a friend about emotions after the loss of a grandmother.

Example of Problem-Focused Coping

Scheduling a meeting with the teacher and joining a study group to better understand psychology concepts.

Example of Emotion-Focused Coping

Spending time with friends, watching movies, and allowing oneself to cry after a breakup.

Wisdom Strength

Challenge ideas, explore different perspectives, and use knowledge to solve problems.

Courage Strength

Don’t let fear stop them from achieving their goals

Humanity Strength

Build deep, meaningful relationships and genuinely care for others.

Temperance Strength

Prevents self-destructive behavior which reduces stress and improves emotional well-being.

Transcendence Strength

Leads to deeper fulfillment by helping people find joy in small moments and giving them a sense of purpose.

Wisdom People

They love thinking, asking questions, and discovering new things.

Courage People

They don’t let fear stop them from achieving their goals

Humanity People

Build deep, meaningful relationships and genuinely care for others.

Temperance People

Don’t let emotions or bad habits control them and they practice self-control.

Well-Being Truth

True happiness doesn’t come from temporary pleasures but from lasting sources.

Resilience Truth

Some people don’t just recover from setbacks, they grow stronger.

Positive Emotions Truth

Experiencing joy, gratitude, and awe improves mental and physical health.

Psychological Strengths

Traits that lead to a fulfilling life

Justice Strength

Enables people to feel connected to their community and contributing to it.

Justice Happiness

When people feel like they are part of a supportive community and working toward something meaningful by contributing to society, they experience greater well-being.

Wisdom Allowance

Allows us to understand ourselves and the world around us.

Courage Happiness

Helps people develop resilience, build confidence, and create a sense of accomplishment, which leads to long-term fulfillment.

Humanity Happiness

Since strong relationships are one of the biggest predictors of happiness, those who cultivate humanity experience deeper life satisfaction.

Martin Seligman Belief

Psychology should not just fix mental illness but also promote well-being.

Shift in Perspective

Instead of asking What is Wrong with people, Positive Psychology asks What makes life meaningful, fulfilling and joyful?

Positive Psychology Focus

Focuses on human strengths and flourishing.

Problem Focused Strategy

Good for situations where you have some control, often a more long-term solution as you address the root cause.

Emotion Focused Strategy

Effective when you cannot control or solve the external problem easily, often used short-term to reduce overwhelming feelings.