stress and eustress tutorial

stress

any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain

acute stress

symptoms don’t persist

chronic stress

symptoms persist

stress can be measured in a variety of ways:

• muscle tension

• rapid breathing or increased heart rate

• production of epinephrine and cortisol

• reproductive system functioning

negative stress - long term health outcomes

• insomnia

• illness

• depression

• anxiety

• cardiovascular disease

positive stress - long term health outcomes

acute stress has been linked to:

• increased immune system functioning

• improved cognitive functioning

distress

a negative discrepancy between an individual’s perceived state and desired state, as long as the discrepancy is considered important

characteristics of distress

• short or long term

• causes anxiety or concern

• perceived as outside our coping abilities

• feels unpleasant

• decreases/impedes performance

estress

a positive discrepancy between an individual’s perceived state and desired state, as long as the discrepancy is considered important

characteristics of eustress

• short term

• motivational, encourages focus

• perceived to be within our coping abilities

• feels exciting or energizing

• improves performance

examples of distress

• natural disaster

• sleep issues

• financial stress

• illness/injury

examples of eustress

• promotion at work

• having a child

• starting a new job

• going to the gym

difference between distress and eustress

when we have resources to deal with an event, we may perceive it differently than if we lack resources

two factors of stress appraisal

threats and challenges

stress appraisal - threats

associated with negative health outcomes and increased anxiety

stress appraisal - challenges

associated with positive effect, better task performance, lower pain levels, higher cardiovascular activity

how we appraise situations determines:

how we feel and act