_ISC- Stress & Stress Management 2025 (3)

Page 1

Introduction to Stress Management

• Course Title: Stress & Stress Management

• Faculty: Vidhi Agarwal

Page 2

Chapter Overview

• Chapter at a Glance:

  • Nature of Stress

  • Causes of Stress

  • Effects of Stress

  • Stress Reduction Strategies

Page 3

Learning Objectives

• At the end of the chapter, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

  • Personality

  • Attitude

  • Psychological Disorders

  • Psychology in relation to environment and social concerns

Page 4

Glossary of Stress-Related Terms

• Stress: Subject to various definitions, it refers to both the situation that imposes demands on an organism and its responses to such demands.

• Eustress: Positive stress that enhances performance.

• Distress: Negative stress that results from challenges exceeding coping abilities.

• Stressors: Events or situations causing stress.

• Lifestyle: Overall decisions and behaviors influencing health and quality of life.

• Hassles: Minor everyday events affecting well-being.

Stress Models

• GAS Model:

  • Alarm Phase: Emergency reaction mobilizing energy.

  • Resistance Phase: Coping with threat.

  • Exhaustion Phase: Depletion of resources leading to health issues.

Defense Mechanisms

• Definition: Methods used by the ego to manage unacceptable impulses (e.g., repression, projection).

Stress Management Strategies

• Assertiveness: Communicating feelings confidently.

• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Sequential muscle relaxation technique.

• Hardy Personality: Traits that enable stress resistance: commitment, control, challenge.

Page 5

Glossary Continued

• Cognitive Appraisal Model: Involves assessing a situation and personal resources to cope.

• Primary Appraisal: Initial assessment of a situation's threat level.

• Secondary Appraisal: Judgment of available coping resources.

• Wellness & Distress Cycle: Distress cycle impacts short-long term effects, wellness cycle focuses on stress coping strategies.

Page 6

Defining Stress

• Exploring various definitions and dimensions of stress, linking it to psychological responses.

Page 7

Definitions of Stress

• Different researchers define stress in various ways, emphasizing physiological responses and interpretations of threats.

• Key Studies: Cannon (homeostasis), Selye (non-specific response), Lazarus (resource assessment).

Deep Learning Note

• Link different stress definitions to emotional theories.

Page 8

Reflective Questions

• Compare definitions by Cannon and Selye.

• Reflect on personal appraisals of stress in similar situations.

Page 9

Stress Terminologies

• Stress: Response to events disrupting functioning.

• Distinction between Eustress and Distress clarified.

Page 10

Distress vs Eustress

• Eustress: Positive and motivating; Distress: Negative, overwhelming.

Page 11

Distress-Eustress Activity

• Reflect on personal experiences of distress and eustress.

Page 12

Questions for Discussion

• Explore individual perceptions of stress and the implications for coping.

Page 13

Causes of Stress (Stressors)

• Categories: Physical, Psychological, Social, Environmental.

• Internal vs External pressures.

Page 14

Life Events & Hassles

• Life Events: Major transitions (e.g., graduation).

• Hassles: Cumulative daily stressors.

Page 15

Nature of Stress

• Duration: Chronic vs Acute.

• Intensity: Low vs High.

• Controllability & Predictability: Determines stress perception.

Page 16

Complexity of Stressors

• Stressors can be predictable or unexpected, influencing stress levels.

Page 17

Effects of Stress

• Physiological: Digestive slow down, increased heart rate.

• Emotional: Mood swings, anxiety.

• Behavioral: Poor performance, unhealthy eating.

Page 18

Physiology 101

• Understanding the basic structure of the nervous system.

Page 19

The Nervous System

• Overview of the body's nervous systems: Central and Peripheral.

Page 20

Autonomic Nervous System

• Parasympathetic: Rest and digest.

• Sympathetic: Fight or flight.

Page 21

Human Stress Response

• Activation of HPA axis and stress hormone release in response to perceived threats.

Page 22

Stress Model #1: General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

• Describes the body's psychological stress response in three stages.

Page 23

General Adaptation Syndrome

• Stages: Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion.

• Hormonal responses during these stages and their effects on health.

Page 24

Exam Stress Case

• GAS Application: Stages of stress during exams illustrated.

Page 25

Stress Model #2: Cognitive Appraisal

• Introduction to the cognitive appraisal of stress and coping mechanisms.

Page 26

Cognitive Appraisal

• Stress perception as a result of interpreting circumstances.

Page 27

Cognitive Appraisal Model

• Primary Appraisal: Determining the threat of an event.

• Secondary Appraisal: Evaluating coping resources.

Page 28

Cognitive Appraisal Process

• Insights on distinct appraisal stages and outcomes.

Page 29

Detailed Appraisal Model

• Examining the differences in perceived stress and coping mechanisms.

Page 30

Exam Stress Case Using CA

• Example illustrating stress response via cognitive appraisal.

Page 31

More Exam Stress Cases

• Additional scenarios applying the cognitive appraisal model to exam stress.

Page 32

General Adaptation vs Cognitive Appraisal

• Comparison: How two models explain stress reactions differently.

Page 33

Critiques of Stress Models

• Limitations of the GAS and Cognitive Appraisal Models discussed.

Page 34

Anxiety vs Stress

• Definition and comparison of stress and anxiety as emotional-cognitive-physiological responses.

Page 35

Symptoms of Anxiety vs Stress

• Highlighting key emotional and physical symptoms.

Page 36

Examples of Anxiety and Stress Situations

• Illustrating anxiety and stressful events clearly.

Page 37

Stress and Health

• Relationship between stress levels and health outcomes.

Page 38

Long-Term Effects of Stress

• Various body systems significantly impacted by prolonged stress.

Page 39

Chronic Stress Research

• Overview of psychoneuroimmunology and stress's biological impact on health.

Page 40

Adverse Health Effects from Stress

• Specific conditions linked to prolonged stress exposure discussed.

Page 41

Various Physical Health Issues Due to Stress

• Further details on stress-related health complications .

Page 42

Stress and Immune Function

• Explanation of stress-related disruption of immune responses.

Page 43

Burnout Symptoms

• Indicators of burnout due to high stress, including emotional exhaustion.

Page 44

Types of Burnout

• Differentiate overload burnout from other forms; details stress reactions.

Page 45

Work-Related Stress Solutions

• Strategies for improving person-environment fit and targeting specific stressors.

Page 46

Stress & Performance Relationship

• Discussing optimal stress levels for improved performance.

Page 47

Task Performance Under Stress

• Insights into how stress affects performance quality under different conditions.

Page 48

Stress Continuum

• Describing different states of stress from optimal functioning to clinical disorders.

Page 49

Determining Stress Disorder Levels

• Criteria for when normal stress transitions into psychological disorder.

Page 50

Internal Causes of Stress

• Identifying personality-related stressors and their impacts.

Page 51

Frustration & Conflicts

• Understanding how frustration can increase stress.

Page 52

Type A vs Type B Personality

• Description and characteristics of personality types related to stress susceptibility.

Page 53

Stress Resistant Personality

• Characteristics of hardy personality as a defense against stress.

Page 54

Coping with Adversity

• Metaphors illustrating different responses to life's challenges among personalities.

Page 55

Optimism vs Pessimism

• Comparisons of stress responses linked with attitude types.

Page 56

Locus of Control Theory

• Discussing personality-related expectations concerning control over life outcomes.

Page 57

Types of Coping

• Classification of coping strategies; healthy vs unhealthy.

Page 58

Coping Techniques

• Overview of various effective techniques for managing stress.

Page 59

Defense Mechanisms Overview

• Concept of unconscious defense mechanisms in managing stress.

Page 60

Breathing Techniques

• Importance of breath control in stress management discussed.

Page 61

Muscle Relaxation and Biofeedback

• Techniques for reducing stress through physical relaxation and feedback mechanisms.

Page 62

Self-Inoculation Training

• CBT methods to manage stress through cognitive restructuring.

Page 63

Time Management

• Strategies for effectively managing time to reduce stress.

Page 64

Healthy Self-Care Strategies

• Promoting good habits to maintain overall well-being and mitigate stress.

Page 65

Exploring Yoga

• Overview of yoga components contributing to stress reduction.

Page 66

Levels of Stress Analysis

• Multilevel perspective on stress responses and coping factors.

Page 67

Conclusion

• Summary of the importance of stress awareness and management.

Page 68

References

• Included textbook references for further reading on psychology and stress management.