ppt: Comprehensive Notes on Stress and Health Interaction

Stress and Health Interaction

• Definition of Stress

• Stress is both a mental and physical dual process

• Involves dealing with threatening or challenging events (health, safety, etc.)

• Examples of stressors include challenging college courses

Categories of Stressors

• Stressors can be classified into three categories:

1. Catastrophes

   • Rare but impactful events (natural disasters, significant loss)

2. Life Changes

   • Sudden changes that can be challenging (changing jobs, moving)

3. Daily Hassles

   • Routine stressors like traffic, difficult coworkers

• Ranked from high to low in stress potential

Good Stress vs Bad Stress

• Good Stress (Eustress):

• Challenges that motivate and improve performance

• Bad Stress (Distress):

• Threats that may lead to negative physical or mental health outcomes

Response to Stress

• Bad Behaviors in Response to Stress

• Poor health choices (nutrition, sleep) can exacerbate stress effects

• Short-term vs Long-term Stress

• Acute stress engages the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response)

• Long-term stress can lead to immune system issues (decreased lymphocytes)

• Increased vulnerability to illnesses

Psychoneuroimmunology

• A new field exploring the interaction of psychology, health, and the immune system

• Notable link between stress and heart disease; introduced Type A and Type B personality theories

Type A vs Type B Personalities

• Type A Characteristics

• Time urgency, competitiveness, easily angered, hostility

• Associated with higher stress and heart disease risk

• Type B Characteristics

• Relaxed, easygoing, good listeners

• Detail-oriented but not overly dramatic

Anger Management and Catharsis Hypothesis

• Anger can be motivating or destructive

• Catharsis Hypothesis

• Expression of anger can be temporarily relieving but may escalate future aggression

• Negative reinforcement makes regular expression more likely

Coping Mechanisms for Stress

• Manage Stress Effectively

• Aim to increase internal locus of control (you control outcomes)

• Regular Aerobic Exercise

  • At least five days a week, reduces stress and improves health

  • Choose enjoyable activities

• Relaxation Techniques

  • Build relaxation into routines (i.e., deep breaths, mindfulness)

• Social Support

  • Engage with 2-3 close supportive individuals; contributes to better stress management

  • Positive mood enhances willingness to help others (feel-good do-good phenomenon)

The Role of Money and Happiness

• Money increases happiness mainly when basic needs are unmet (shelter, food)

• Lottery winners return to baseline happiness after initial excitement; happiness is adaptive

• Relative Deprivation

• Comparing oneself to those better off can lead to feelings of inadequacy

• Evaluate based on personal growth rather than social comparison

Predictors of Happiness

• Key factors for happiness include:

• Close relationships, satisfying intimate relationships, high self-esteem, meaningful faith

• Reference to additional information found on page 449 for further insights on increasing happiness.