PSYC 104 Chapter 13- Stress, Lifestyle, & Happiness

Stress

Any situation (real or perceived) that threatens a person’s well-being, potentially causing physical illness.

Stress Response

Triggers a fight-or-flight response, releasing adrenaline and norepinephrine, increasing heart rate, respiration, and energy mobilization.

Adaptive Stress

Helps in life-threatening situations by enhancing survival instincts.

Maladaptive Stress

Chronic stress that can lead to health issues such as cardiovascular diseases.

Chronic Stress Impact

Prolonged stress can lead to elevated blood pressure and coronary heart disease.

Coronary Artery Blockage

Restricts oxygen and nutrient supply to the heart muscle, leading to health complications.

Type A Personality

Characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and aggression, leading to a higher risk of heart disease.

Type B Personality

Easygoing and relaxed, less likely to suffer from stress-related illnesses.

Problem-Focused Coping

Addresses the stressor directly by changing the situation or response.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Manages emotional reactions when one cannot change the stressful situation.

Aerobic Exercise

Regular physical activity that boosts mood, improves self-confidence, and reduces anxiety and depression.

Biofeedback

Uses electronic devices to inform individuals about their physiological responses to control them for better health.

Relaxation and Meditation

Techniques to reduce tension and anxiety by promoting calmness.

Subjective Well-Being

Self-perceived happiness and life satisfaction; a key focus of positive psychology.

Happiness Mindset

Happy individuals perceive the world as safer and are more cooperative and satisfied.

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon

Happiness can lead to greater altruism, with happy people more likely to help others.

Wealth and Happiness

Wealth prevents misery but does not guarantee happiness; happiness plateaus after an income of about $75,000.

International Happiness Data

Countries like Puerto Rico and Mexico rank high in life satisfaction despite lower economic status.

Love vs. Money

Valuing love over money correlates with higher life satisfaction.

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon

People adapt to new income levels; material wealth satisfaction is often short-lived.

Relative Deprivation

Perception of being worse off than others negatively affects happiness, worsened by social comparisons.

Predictors of Happiness

Factors influencing happiness include personality, values, and external circumstances like wealth and relationships.