Week4 - Fr

Week 4: Managing Stress

• Dr. Qiwei Li

• Department of Public Health, California State University, Fresno

• Course: PH90 Contemporary Health Issues

Four Common Health Issues Among College Students

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Stress

• Sleep

Understanding Stress

Stress Is Always Present

• Stress is an inherent part of life due to:

  • Inability to satisfy all demands

  • Perceived weaknesses in facing challenges

The Root of Stress

• Factors contributing to stress:

  • Natural competition with wildlife

  • Harsh environmental conditions

  • Competition among humans with limited resources

Science of Stress

What Is Stress?

• Definition:

  • Mental and physical responses to real or perceived changes and challenges.

  • A stressor is any event that triggers this response.

Types of Stress

• Eustress: Positive stress that leads to personal growth.

• Distress: Negative stress that adversely affects health.

Distress vs. Eustress

• Distress:

  • Characterized by extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

• Stress:

  • A general feeling of pressure or anxiety.

• Eustress:

  • Positive stress that can motivate and foster growth.

Types of Stress Responses

Acute Stress

• Short-term physiological response to an immediate threat.

Episodic Acute Stress

• Frequent occurrences of acute stress.

Chronic Stress

• Ongoing physiological arousal due to multiple perceived threats.

Traumatic Stress

• Long-lasting effects after experiencing a major stressful event that could have involved harm.

Stress Levels Across Generations

Stress Levels Distribution

• Gen Z Adults: 34%

• Millennials: 19%

• Gen X: 21%

• Boomers: 12%

• Older Adults: 8%

Hope Levels Distribution

• Gen Z Adults: 64%

• Millennials: 76%

• Gen X: 71%

• Boomers: 72%

• Older Adults: 69%

Stress Levels by Generations

• All Americans: 4.9 (reported stress level)

• Millennials: 5.8

• Gen Xers: 4.3

• Boomers: 3.5

Factors Contributing to Stress

• Burnout, weather, anxiety, financial matters, family issues, social withdrawal.

• Symptoms include:

  • Memory problems

  • Panic

  • Chronic stress

  • Lack of focus

  • Weight gain, tobacco use, overeating, and sleep problems.

Physiological Responses to Stress

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Parasympathetic Division:

  • Conserves energy, promotes relaxation (rest-and-digest).

• Sympathetic Division:

  • Prepares body for emergency responses (fight or flight).

Functions of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems

• Sympathetic Nervous System:

  • Stimulates: accelerates heart rate, dilates bronchi, inhibits saliva production.

• Parasympathetic Nervous System:

  • Stimulates: stimulates saliva production, slows heart rate, promotes digestion.

Stress Signaling and Hormonal Responses

Hormonal Release During Stress

• Adrenaline/Epinephrine: Increases heart rate and energy supply.

• Cortisol: Elevates blood pressure and energy supplies.

• Role of the Pituitary Gland and Adrenal Gland in stress response regulation.

Hypothalamus Functions related to Stress

• Control over:

  • Autonomic nervous system

  • Emotional responses

  • Sleep-wake cycles

  • Hunger and thirst sensation

  • Body temperature regulation

  • Memory formation

Summary of Nervous Systems

• Interaction between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems regulates bodily stress responses and homeostasis.

Week 4: Managing Stress

Dr. Qiwei LiDepartment of Public Health, California State University, FresnoCourse: PH90 Contemporary Health Issues

Four Common Health Issues Among College Students

• Depression: A condition marked by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and a lack of motivation, often accompanied by physical symptoms.

• Anxiety: Includes excessive worry and fear that can interfere with daily activities, leading to both psychological and physical symptoms.

• Stress: A response to the pressures of personal, academic, and social responsibilities that can influence mental and physical health.

• Sleep: Quality and quantity of sleep can be severely affected by stress, anxiety, and lifestyle choices among students.

Understanding Stress

Stress Is Always Present

Stress is an inherent part of life due to a variety of factors such as:

• Inability to satisfy all demands: Balancing academic responsibilities, social life, and personal commitments can create overwhelming pressure.

• Perceived weaknesses in facing challenges: Feelings of inadequacy can lead to increased stress levels when faced with challenges.

The Root of Stress

Factors contributing to stress include:

• Natural competition with wildlife: Evolutionarily, humans have always faced competition for survival and resources.

• Harsh environmental conditions: Living in environments with extreme weather or physical dangers contributes to stress.

• Competition among humans with limited resources: Economic strain and job competition heighten stress levels.

Science of Stress

What Is Stress?

Definition: Stress is defined as the mental and physical responses to real or perceived changes and challenges that life presents. A stressor is any event or circumstance that triggers this response.

Types of Stress

• Eustress: This is positive stress that can lead to personal growth and motivation. Examples include starting a new job or planning a wedding.

• Distress: This negative stress adversely affects health and well-being, leading to anxiety and other health issues

Distress vs. Eustress

• Distress: Characterized by extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain, often leading to detrimental effects on health.

• Stress: A general feeling of pressure or anxiety that can be short-lived but still troubling.

• Eustress: Positive stress that can motivate individuals, leading to growth and achievement.

Types of Stress Responses

1. Acute Stress: This is a short-term physiological response to an immediate threat, often manifesting as a fight-or-flight reaction.

2. Episodic Acute Stress: Involves frequent occurrences of acute stress, often affecting people prone to anxiety or overcommitment.

3. Chronic Stress: This involves ongoing physiological arousal due to multiple perceived threats that can compromise health.

4. Traumatic Stress: Long-lasting effects that come after experiencing a major stressful event, often related to trauma or harm.

Stress Levels Across Generations

Stress Levels Distribution

• Gen Z Adults: 34%

• Millennials: 19%

• Gen X: 21%

• Boomers: 12%

• Older Adults: 8%

Hope Levels Distribution

• Gen Z Adults: 64%

• Millennials: 76%

• Gen X: 71%

• Boomers: 72%

• Older Adults: 69%

Stress Levels by Generations

• All Americans: 4.9 (reported stress level)

• Millennials: 5.8

• Gen Xers: 4.3

• Boomers: 3.5

Factors Contributing to Stress

Factors such as burnout, weather changes, anxiety, financial issues, family problems, and social withdrawal significantly contribute to stress levels.

Symptoms Include:

• Memory problems

• Panic attacks

• Difficulty concentrating

• Chronic stress leading to lifestyle issues like weight gain, increased tobacco use, overeating, and disrupted sleep patterns.

Physiological Responses to Stress

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Parasympathetic Division: Conserves energy and promotes relaxation through 'rest-and-digest' functions.

• Sympathetic Division: Prepares the body for emergency responses through a 'fight or flight' mechanism.

Functions of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems

• Sympathetic Nervous System: Stimulates functions such as accelerated heart rate, bronchodilation, and inhibition of saliva production.

• Parasympathetic Nervous System: Stimulates functions such as saliva production, slowed heart rate, and digestion promotion.

Stress Signaling and Hormonal Responses

Hormonal Release During Stress

• Adrenaline/Epinephrine: Increases heart rate and boosts energy supply, preparing the body for immediate action.

• Cortisol: Elevates blood pressure and increases energy supplies during prolonged stress responses.

Role of the Pituitary Gland and Adrenal Gland in Stress Response Regulation

The pituitary gland orchestrates the release of stress hormones while the adrenal glands produce these hormones, ensuring a coordinated response to stress.

Hypothalamus Functions Related to Stress

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in controlling:

• Autonomic nervous system responses

• Emotional responses and regulation

• Sleep-wake cycles

• Hunger and thirst sensations

• Body temperature regulation

• Memory formation

Summary of Nervous Systems

The interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems is vital for regulating bodily stress responses and maintaining homeostasis, ensuring that the body can effectively deal with stressors while maintaining overall health and wellness.