Healthful Living – Lesson 3.1: Understanding Stress and Other Adverse Events

Stress

The body's physical and psychological reactions to situations perceived as threatening or challenging.

Stressor

1.  Any event, situation, or factor that causes a person to experience stress.

Eustress

1. Positive stress that encourages growth, improves performance, and increases motivation.

Distress

1. Negative stress that causes unpleasant feelings and can have harmful effects on physical and mental health.

Acute Stress

1. Short-term stress that occurs in response to an immediate challenge or stressful event.

Chronic Stress

1.  Stress that continues over a long period of time and may negatively affect overall health.

Technostress

1. Stress caused by technology, including constant notifications, social media, and digital demands.

Inner Conflict:

Stress that occurs when a person experiences opposing thoughts, feelings, desires, or values.

Trauma

 Extreme psychological or emotional stress resulting from a deeply disturbing or frightening even

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

1. Potentially traumatic experiences that occur during childhood or adolescence.

Toxic Stress

1. Stress caused by repeated or prolonged exposure to severe stressors.

Fight-Flight-Freeze-Fawn Response

 The body's automatic reaction to a perceived threat, preparing a person to fight, escape, freeze, or appease.

Relaxation Response

1. The physiological process through which the body returns to its normal resting state after experiencing stress.

Alarm Stage:

1. The first stage of the stress response, during which the body recognizes a threat and activates its defense mechanisms.

Resistance Stage

1. The second stage of the stress response, when the body continues attempting to manage an ongoing stressor.

Exhaustion Stage

The final stage of prolonged stress, when the body's resources become depleted and the risk of illness increases.

Endocrine System

1. The body system responsible for producing and releasing hormones that regulate various functions, including the stress response.

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

1. A hormone released during stress that increases heart rate, breathing, and energy availability.

Norepinephrine

1. A hormone and neurotransmitter that increases alertness, attention, and the body's readiness to respond to stress.

Cortisol

1. A hormone released during stress that helps regulate metabolism, blood sugar, and the body's stress response.

Nervous System

The body system that processes information, detects threats, and coordinates physical and mental responses to stress.

Cardiovascular System

1. The body system consisting of the heart and blood vessels that circulates blood throughout the body.

Blood Pressure

1. The force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels, which can increase during stressful situations.

Glucose

 A type of sugar that provides energy to the body's cells and becomes more available during the stress response.

Immune System

The body's defense system against infections and diseases, which can become less effective during prolonged stress.

Digestive System

1. The body system responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, which can be negatively affected by stress.

Cognitive Effects

1. Changes in thinking, memory, concentration, learning, and decision-making that may occur because of stress.

Acute Stress Disorder:

1. A mental health condition that develops after a traumatic event, with symptoms lasting from three days to one month.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition characterized by persistent psychological and emotional reactions following a traumatic experience.

Burnout

1. A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion associated with prolonged or overwhelming stress.