MODULE 8

• Stress is the way your body responds to challenges and gets you ready to face them with attention, energy and strength
• Stress


  A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances
• Mental Health


  Refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel, and behave
• Psychological well-being


  Consists of positive relationships with others, personal mastery, autonomy, a feeling of purpose and meaning in life, personal growth and development
• Oxytocin


  Hormone that primes your brain's social instincts, makes you crave physical contact with friends and family, enhances your empathy, and makes you more willing to help and support people you care about
• Oxytocin is a stress hormone
• Stress response


  Pituitary gland pumps out oxytocin as part of the stress response, motivating you to seek support and notice when others are struggling so you can support each other
• Oxytocin is released in the stress response


  It acts on your body to protect your cardiovascular system from the effects of stress, acting as a natural anti-inflammatory and helping blood vessels stay relaxed
• Oxytocin acts on the heart


  It helps heart cells regenerate and heal from stress-induced damage, strengthening the heart
• The physical benefits of oxytocin are enhanced by social contact and social support
• Caring for others creates resilience against the harmful effects of stress
• Viewing your stress response as helpful can create the biology of courage
• Choosing to connect with others under stress can create resilience