Stress

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

• 
• self actualization — realizing one’s fullest potential; what do you want to be?
• esteem — also includes achievement

stress

• stress: the body’s response to a demand
  • stressor: the demand put on the body
• eustress: manageable stress that can lead to growth
• distress: uncontrolled, overwhelming stress that is destructive and negative
• general adaptation syndrome (GAS)
  • alarm = fight or flight response
  • also includes tertiary “freeze” response
  • resistance = body attempts to return to normal
  • exhaustion = “wear and tear,” illness may occur
• physical symptoms of stress
  • headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of appetite, increase in appetite, dry mouth, heartburn
• positive ways to handle stress (examples, not a conclusive list)
  • hobbies
  • exercise
  • deep breathing
  • taking breaks
  • relaxation and meditation
  • talking through problems
• negative ways to handle stress (examples, not a conclusive list)
  • violence
  • procrastination
  • destruction
  • addiction
  • taking anger out on others
  • denial
  • over eating
  • under eating
• defense mechanism: a strategy used to cope with a stressful situation
  • can be positive or negative, or dependent on the situation
  • positive mechanisms relieve stress whereas negative mechanisms add to stress
  • most mechanisms can be both
  • sublimation: positive; the direction of energy into a useful rather than unacceptable goal
  • identification: may be positive or negative; assuming the qualities of someone you admire
  • compensation: positive; making up for weakness in one area by excelling in another area
  • rationalization: negative; making excuses for actions or feelings
  • daydreaming: may be positive or negative; fantasizing to escape unpleasant realities
  • displacement: negative; transforming emotions or thoughts from the original source to another
  • regression: negative; reverting to immature behavior to express emotions
  • projection: negative; putting your own faults onto someone else
  • denial: negative; refusing to recognize or otherwise acknowledge an emotion or problem