Healthy Psychology

Define Health Psychology

The study of factors that may influence human well-being and health in both positive and negative ways

Blue zones

So-called longevity hotspots, 95% of people live to be older than 80. Categorized by natural movement, positive life outlooks, “right three” (people they most closely surround themselves with) and mindful eating.

WHO Health Definition

Health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Positive health (define)

Health is the ability to adapt and to self-manage in the face of social, physical and emotional challenges → measured by broader “spider-web” diagram.

Biopsychosocial model

Views health as the interaction between biological characteristics (genes, viruses), psychological factors (attitudes, neuroticism) and social condition (socio-economic factors, culture, relationships).

Stress (definition)

Pattern if cognitive appraisals, physiological response and behavioral responses to perceived imbalances between situational demands and coping resources available.

Stressors (definition)

Situational component, stimuli that place demand on one’s emotional or physical state and require one to adapt through coping resources

Microstressors (daily hassles), major neg. events (personal but devastating events), catastrophic events (unexpected, wide-scale devastation)

Stress response

Adaptive response to acute stress which improves physiological and mental functioning to meet imminent demands posed by stressors.

biologically: sympathetic NS activity, increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity

Chronic stress

When the stress response is maintained for weeks or even months on end; considered in epidemic in modern society. Attributed to differences between ancestral landscape and modern society.

Consequences of Chronic Stress

Linked to:

• 6 leading causes of death

• Cognitive impairements

• Sleep disorders

• Loss of productivity

• Depression & anxiety

• Relational conflict and aggression

Cognitive Appraisals

Starting point of stress response: Divided into primary (situational) and secondary (coping resources) appraisals, followed by consequence judgement and personal meaning appraisal. Can be manipulated to battle stress → positive stress mindset decreases effects

Physiological stress responses

Induce re-appraisals of of stressors; represented by general adaptation syndrome. Divided into alarm, resistance and exhaustion.

Stress impact on psychological well-being

Catastrophic and major negative events can both cause relational and mental issues → 17% increase in anxiety/depression in victims of cat. floods. PTSD as well.

Physiological impacts of stress

• Increase in blood pressure, sometimes prolonged

• Increase risk of autoimmune disorders, cv disorders.

• Onset of sleep disorders like insomnia

• Decreased immunity (if chronic)

  • Increased susceptibility to viral infection