Study Notes on Stress, Illness, Coping, and Happiness

Psychophysiological Disorders:
- Definition: Physical disorders influenced or worsened by stress and emotions.
- Examples: Illnesses where stress and emotions contribute to physical symptoms.

Definition: Disorders involving the heart and blood circulation.
Types of Cardiovascular Conditions:
  - Heart Disease:
    - Conditions that affect heart arteries, valves, or the heart's pumping ability.
    - Includes: Heart attack and stroke.
  - Hypertension:
    - Definition: High blood pressure.
  - Coronary Heart Disease:
    - Definition: Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries.
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disorders:
  - Sedentary lifestyle
  - Obesity
  - High cholesterol
  - Family history
  - Stress
  - Poor coping mechanisms

Type A Personality:
- Characteristics: Competitive, impatient, and hostile.
Type B Personality:
- Characteristics: Relaxed and easygoing.
Negative Affectivity:
- Definition: Tendency toward negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, guilt, and fear.
Hostility:
- Relationship with Heart Disease: Increases the risk of heart disease due to the effect of stress-related chemicals on arteries.
Depression:
- Association with Cardiovascular Disease: Significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Asthma:
- Definition: A condition where airways become obstructed, leading to breathing difficulties.
- Connection: Linked to increased stress and anxiety levels.
Tension Headache:
- Definition: A type of headache characterized by continuous pain in the head or neck.

Coping:
- Definition: Efforts made to manage stress.
Types of Coping:
  - Problem-Focused Coping:
    - Definition: Efforts to change or remove the stressor causing distress.
  - Emotion-Focused Coping:
    - Definition: Efforts to manage one's emotional response to a stressor.
Perceived Control:
- Definition: The belief in one's ability to influence outcomes in life.
Learned Helplessness:
- Definition: A condition where individuals give up trying after repeated failures or lack of control.
Predictability:
- Definition: Known stressors are perceived as less stressful than unpredictable stressors.
Social Support:
  - Definition: Emotional, informational, or practical help received from others.
  - Impact:
    - Low support increases risk of illness.
    - High support improves overall health and well-being.

Exercise:
- Definition: A physical activity that reduces stress.
- Health Benefits: Improves mental health through the release of serotonin and endorphins.
Religion and Health:
- Observation: Active participation in religious activities is associated with longer life and greater happiness.

Happiness:
- Definition: Long-term experience of joy, contentment, and meaning in life.
Three Aspects of Happiness:
  - Pleasant Life:
    - Definition: Involves experiencing daily pleasures.
  - Good Life:
    - Definition: Incorporates using personal strengths and virtues.
  - Meaningful Life:
    - Definition: Characterized by a purpose-driven approach to living.
Economic Factors:
- Note: Money contributes to happiness only up to approximately $75,000 per year.

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon:
- Definition: The tendency for individuals to return to a baseline level of happiness after experiencing significant life events.
Relative Deprivation:
- Definition: The psychological phenomenon where individuals feel worse by comparing their situation to that of others.
Positive Psychology:
- Definition: The study of happiness, strengths, and optimal living.
Flow:
- Definition: A state of deep immersion and engagement in activities, often leading to improved well-being.