10/31/11 - Health Notes

What is Stress?
-Stress is your body's response to changes around you

What Causes Stress?
-Stressors cause stress

Common Stressors (for teens)
1. school - tests, homework
2. starting a new school year
3. going to a new school
4. getting braces or glasses
5. serious illness of a family member or friend
6. death of a family member or friend
7. divorce or separation of paraents
8. boyfriends/girlfriends
9. relocating/moving
10. appearance/looks
11. death of a pet

Common Stressors (for adults)
1. job responsibilities
2. loss of a job
3. job commutes
4. traffic
5. money/bills
6. children
7. spouse/marital issues

The Stress Response
-the process whereby the body responds to stressors by activating the nervous system and
hormones

Steps in the Stress Response
1. adrenal glands release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream
- these hormones speed up heart rate, breathing rate, and BP
- blood vessels open wider to let more blood flow to large muscles
- pupils dialate (get bigger)
2. the liver releases glucose (sugar) to increase the body's energy
3. sweat is produced to cool the body
***the stress response prepares a person to handle the pressure of the moment

Types of Stress

A. Sometimes your body's response to change can be negative.
ex: getting a stomach ache because you are worried about a test
This negative stress is called distress.
Distress can prevent you from doing what you need to do or cause you discomfort.
B. Sometimes your body's response to change can be positive.
ex: getting excited or motivated before a big game or competition
This positive strress is called eustress.
Eustress can help you to accomplish goals.

Important Facts About Stress:
*Different people have different sources of stress
*Different people react differently to the same stressors