1. STRESS

2. OUTLINE
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• Stress
• Levels of stress
• Stages of stress
• Causes of stress
• Effects of stress
• Stress Management

3. DEFINITION
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• The mind or body’s response to real/imagined
threats/changes/events.
• Stress stimulants: stressors
1) Internal: nutrition, health and fitness levels,
emotional well-being and sleep.
2) External: physical environment, job, home and
relationships.

4. LEVELS OF STRESS
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• Eustress: positive/pleasant/curative; motivates
action for accomplishments
• Distress: negative; negative reaction to daily
activities

5. STAGES OF
STRESS

6. ALARM STAGE
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• Primary stage
• Threat encounter – nervous system sends urgent
signals to brain
• Body parts and functions coordinate to fight back or
flee
• Example: accident

7. RESISTANCE STAGE
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• No relief from alarm, energy drops
• Urge to fight – hastiness, impatience and
exasperation
• Cutting short of sleep
• Indications: weariness, exhaustion, anxiety and
forgetfulness
• Prone to colds and influenza

8. EXHAUSTION STAGE
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• Completely tired and drained
• Hatred towards life
• System breakdown and mental disequilibrium
• Result: heart diseases, blood pressure and ulcers

9. SYMPTOMS OF
STRESS

10. COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS
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• Inability to concentrate
• Memory problems
• Pessimism
• Anxiety
• Constant worrying

11. EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS
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• Irritability/moodiness
• Agitation/inability to relax
• Overwhelmed
• Loneliness/isolation
• Depression/unhappiness

12. PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
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• Aches/pains
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Nausea/dizziness
• Accelerated pulse rate
• Frequent colds

13. BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS
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• Eating more/less
• Sleeping too much/little
• Isolation
• Procrastination
• Substance abuse
• Nervousness – nail-biting, pacing

14. • Internal:
• Uncertainties
• Pessimism
• Negating self-talk
• Unrealistic
expectations
• Lack of assertiveness
• Perfectionism
• External:
• Life changes
• Work
• Relationship problems
• Financial issues
• Hectic schedule
• Illness
CAUSES OF STRESS
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15. EFFECTS OF
STRESS

16. • Eating too much/little
• Food cravings
• Sudden anger
outbursts
• Substance abuse
• Increased tobacco
consumption
• Alienation
• Frequent crying
• Relationship problems
BEHAVIOUR
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17. • Anger
• Anxiety
• Burnout
• Depression
• Insecurity
• Forgetfulness
• Irritability
• Inability to concentrate
• Restlessness
• Sadness
• Fatigue
THOUGHTS/EMOTIONS
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18. • Sweat
• Body/chest pain
• Cramps/muscle
spasms
• Fainting
• Headache
• Heart diseases
• Hypertension [High
BP]
• Immunity loss
• Muscular aches
• Nail biting
• Nervous twitches
• Pins and needles
• Sleeping difficulties
• Upset stomach
BODY
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19. • Exercise
• Assertiveness
• Caffeine/alcohol/drugs
• Nutrition
• Time management
• Talk
• Seek professional
assistance
• Practice relaxation
techniques
STRESS MANAGEMENT
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20. REFERENCES
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• http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm
• http://www.medicinenet.com/stress/article.htm
• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145855.php
• http://www.jacobgan.com/Stress/Stages-of-Stress.html