(1) 5.1 Stress and Health

Health Psychology

• Studies the impact of psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors on health and wellness

Stress

• Response to certain events that we appraise as threatening or challenging

Eustress

• Positive stress that enhances motivation, performance, and emotional well-being

Distress

• Negative stress that decreases motivation

3 Main Stressors

• Catastrophes

  • Unexpected disasters that we cannot control

• Significant Life Changes

  • Large-scale events that change your course

• Daily Hassle

  • Small annoyances

Flight or Flight or Freeze Response

• The sympathetic nervous system’s response to stress

Cortisol

• A stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland

Negative Effects of Stress

• Hypertension

  • High blood pressure

• Immune Suppression

  • Weaker immune system

• Coronary Heart Disease

  • Clogging of the vessels that nourish the heart

General Adaptation Syndrome

• Phase 1 Alarm

  • The sympathetic nervous system is activated, and our body is mobilizing resources

• Phase 2 Resistance

  • Attempt to cope → body is on high alert w/ stress hormones

• Phase 3 Exhaustion

  • Reserves depleted → body is vulnerable

Tend and Befriend

• Communicating with others and supporting others

Problem-Focused Coping

• Directly managing or solving the source

Emotional-Focused Coping

• Managing the emotional response to stress rather than changing the stressful situation itself

Two “types” of People

• Type A People

  • Competitive, impatient, aggressive, & anger-prone

• Type B People

  • Easy going & relaxed