Stress and Coping

Risk factors for altered stress and coping

Problems with interpersonal relationships, strained family relationships, financial stress, occupational stress, food insecurity, significant injury or illness.

Sympathetic nervous system response

The body's fight or flight response that shifts resources to the musculoskeletal system, putting other functions like digestion and immune response on hold.

Positive stress responses/coping methods

Art therapy, counseling, distraction, education, massage, meditation, praying, relaxation techniques, music theory, physical activity, social support, spiritual resources, yoga.

Maladaptive coping

Coping strategies that hinder personal adjustment, such as avoidance, denial, excessive eating, substance use, etc.

Primary prevention strategies for stress management

Promoting effective coping, health and wellbeing through maintaining health, proper nutrition, regular exercise, positive relationships, self-esteem, and learning preventative coping strategies.

Secondary prevention strategies

Involves screening and behavioral assessments, along with therapeutic communication to identify effective stress management techniques.

Therapeutic communication in stress management

Communicate with the patient to determine effective stress relief strategies based on past experiences.

Emotion focused coping

Managing emotions in response to a stressful event, particularly in unchangeable situations, aimed at decreasing negative emotions.

Problem focused coping

Finding solutions to resolve the stress-causing problems in controllable situations, allowing objective action to reduce stress.

Meaning focused coping

Finding meaning in stress experiences to lessen their impact.

Guided imagery

A technique in which a person generates calming images to reduce stress, often led by another individual.