stress and happiness

Stress:The process by which we appraise and cope with environmental threats and challenges. It includes stressors (life events) and stress reactions (how we respond).

SRRS (Social Readjustment Rating Scale): Measures stress through Life Change Units (LCU). High scores indicate a higher likelihood of stress-related diseases.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS):Hans Selye’s model describes the body’s response to stress in three stages;Alarm reaction, resistance, exhaustion.

Alarm Reaction: Activation of the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate.

Resistance: The body maintains readiness by releasing hormones.

Exhaustion: Resources deplete, increasing vulnerability to disease.

Criticisms of GAS:The model assumes all humans respond to stress similarly, ignoring individual differences in perception and reaction.

Stress Response Pathways

Adrenal Medulla: Releases adrenaline and noradrenaline for immediate response.

Hypothalamus & Pituitary Gland: Signal the adrenal cortex to release cortisol for longer-term stress management.

Locus Coeruleus: A brainstem region that controls arousal and stress responses by releasing norepinephrine.

Limbic System: Processes emotions and memories to appraise stress as manageable, harmless, or dangerous.

Catastrophes: Large-scale events like natural disasters.

Significant Life Changes: Major personal events like marriage or job loss.

Daily Hassles: Minor, frequent stressors like traffic or work deadlines.

Appraisal Theory of Stress:Our perception of stress determines its impact:

Primary Appraisal: Evaluating if an event is a threat, challenge, or harmless.

Secondary Appraisal: Assessing our ability to cope, based on past experiences and available resources.

Type A Personality: Competitive, impatient, and aggressive. More prone to heart disease.

Type B Personality: Relaxed and easy-going. Less susceptible to heart issues.

Psychophysiological Illness:Physical diseases caused or worsened by stress, including hypertension and heart disease.

Exercise: Reduces stress hormones and promotes brain health.

Faith and Community Involvement: Religious practices and supportive communities decrease stress.

Social Support: Provides emotional comfort and practical help.

Relaxation and Meditation: Calms the nervous system and reduces stress.

Biofeedback: Monitors physiological responses to help control stress.

Loss of Control and Stress:Perceived lack of control increases stress, weakens immune function, and heightens illness vulnerability.

Health Belief Model (Shelley Taylor): People seek medical care based on perceived threat severity and belief in treatment effectiveness. Other factors include interpersonal crises, social interference, or external pressure.

Fight or Flight Response (Walter Cannon):A physiological reaction to a perceived threat, involving adrenaline and norepinephrine release to prepare for action.

Positive Psychology (Martin Seligman):The study of human flourishing, focusing on positive emotions, character strengths, and well-being.

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon:People are more likely to help others when they are in a positive mood.

Adaptation Level Phenomenon:We judge experiences based on prior events, leading to temporary happiness that returns to a baseline.

Relative Deprivation:Feeling worse off when comparing oneself to others, leading to frustration and envy.

Predictors of Happiness:High self-esteem, optimism, strong relationships, meaningful work, and spirituality are linked to greater happiness.

Happiness Formula (Seligman):H = S + C + V

H: Happiness

S: Set point (genetic baseline happiness)

C: Circumstances (external factors)

V: Voluntary variables (actions we choose, like gratitude and kindness)

Elevation (Jonathan Haidt):A positive emotional response when witnessing acts of kindness, inspiring optimism and prosocial behavior.

Optimistic Style: Attributing successes to personal abilities and failures to external factors.

Pessimistic Style: Blaming oneself for failures and believing negative events will last forever.

Executive Monkey Study (Flawed Experiment):Monkeys were subjected to electric shocks; one could stop the shocks by pressing a lever (the "executive monkey"). The executive monkey developed ulcers, but further research showed the experiment was flawed. Subsequent studies indicated helpless monkeys experienced the most physical damage, supporting the idea that perceived lack of control is most harmful.