stress

• Dr. Hans Selye (1907-1982): 'Stress refers to the body's response to perceived threats or tension that affects our body's homeostasis'
• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)


  When faced with a stressful situation, our body reacts in an attempt to adjust
• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

  Three stages: Alarm syndrome, Resistance phase, Exhaustion phase
• Alarm syndrome


  Recognizing the source of stress, initial reactions in the body, activation of the nervous system and hormones
• Resistance phase


  Being able to handle stress or adapt to the situation, aiming to restore a sense of balance
• Exhaustion phase


  If the stressful situation persists, the body may be unable to adjust, leading to negative effects of stress
• Stress and your way of thinking
• Understanding stress as a two-way process

  Involving the stressor and the appraisal (way of looking at the situation)
• Richard Lazarus (1922-2002): 'Stress is considered as the way emotions interact with behavior theory of cognitive appraisal, how an individual perceives and responds to stress'
• Primary appraisal


  How you interpret an event, what meaning you give to it
• Secondary appraisal


  How you cope with a stressful event, dealing with common stressors like work, school, money, relationships, adapting to change, time constraints, unexpected events