Term1

• Stress


  The feeling of being overwhelmed and under pressure
• Body's response to stress

  1. Pituitary gland sends chemical messages to nervous system and adrenal glands

  2. Adrenal glands produce stress hormones

  3. Prepare body for emergency action
• Symptoms of positive stress


  • Slight change in appetite
  • Slight change in sleeping habits
• Psychological symptoms of negative stress

  • Memory problems
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Poor judgment
  • Seeing only the negative
  • Anxious or racing thoughts
  • Constant worrying
  • Irritability or short temper
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Depression or general unhappiness
• Physical symptoms of negative stress

  • Headaches
  • Stiff muscles, especially around neck and shoulders
  • Nausea, dizziness
  • Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
  • Frequent cold
• Emotional symptoms of negative stress

  • Low productivity and neglecting responsibilities
  • Using alcohol, cigarettes or drugs to relax
  • Nervous habits such as biting your nails
  • Uncertainty about your life choices
  • Loneliness
• Stressors


  Any situation or persons that can cause stress
• Physical stressors


  • Heat
  • Sitting in the same position for hours
  • Straining the eyes by staring at computer screen
  • Too much physical work or exercise
  • Hunger or overeating
  • Obesity
  • Sickness
  • Disability
  • Physical impairment
• Emotional/psychological stressors


  • Being criticised and belittled
  • Having a low self-esteem
• Social stressors


  • Pressure to look and act like peers
  • Bullying
  • Discrimination
• Environmental stressors


  • Living in polluted areas
  • Living in unhygienic or unsafe surroundings
  • Being close to a dumping area
  • Being near a river that tends to flood
  • Trying to work in a noisy place
• Positive stress


  A small amount of stress that motivates you to act
• Negative stress


  Feeling unable to cope with the pressure of the stressor
• Unhealthy ways of dealing with stress

  • Using alcohol or drugs
  • Smoking
  • Eating a lot
  • Watching TV for hours
  • Taking frustrations out on others
• Healthy ways of managing stress

  • Avoid unnecessary stress
  • Manage your time well
  • Do breathing exercises
  • Change your ways
  • Be assertive
  • Adjust your attitude
  • Accept things you cannot change
  • Make time for fun, relaxation and exercise
• Communication


  The way we interact with one another
• Types of communication


  • Verbal
  • Nonverbal (body language, physical appearance, proximity, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, tone)
• Personality types (Myers-Briggs)


  • Driver-Leaders
  • Analyser-Investigators
  • Initiator-Cheerleaders
  • Relater-Supporters
• Understanding others


  Never assume you completely understand what another person is thinking or feeling, or why they are doing something
• Communicating feelings


  When we communicate with others we interact with their feelings as well as their thoughts
• Attitudes for building and sustaining relationships

  • Be a good listener
  • Ask questions if unsure
  • Choose words carefully
  • Be polite, patient and flexible
  • Respect other people's feelings and convictions
  • Be helpful and offer assistance
  • Show genuine interest in the person's goals
• Harmful attitudes that cause breakdown in communication

  • Using sarcasm
  • Making fun of people and their ideas
  • Being critical
  • Blaming others
  • Being dominant
• Guidelines for effective communication

  • Listen attentively
  • Keep eye contact
  • Express yourself clearly
  • Deal with issues promptly
  • Pay attention to body language and tone
• Appropriate expression of views and feelings

  • Use 'I' statements to explain feelings
  • Choose words carefully
  • Have empathy and try to see things from others' point of view
• Conflict


  A serious argument or disagreement that is not generally quickly resolved
• Types of conflicts


  • Intrapersonal (within the person)
  • Interpersonal (with other people)
• Sources of interpersonal conflict


  • Differences in values
  • Misunderstanding
  • Differences in method
  • Differences in priorities
  • Bias or prejudice
• Styles of dealing with conflict

  • Avoidance or denial
  • Accommodating
  • Competing
  • Compromising
  • Collaborating
• Steps in resolving interpersonal conflicts

  1. Listen to the other person's side

  2. Clarify the disagreement

  3. Brainstorm solutions

  4. Select mutually acceptable solutions

  5. Agree on responsibilities

  6. Implement and evaluate
• Change


  Transition out of your comfort zone into the unknown
• Negative aspects of change

  • Uncertainty
  • Fear of failure
  • Fear of the unknown
  • Fear of discomfort
  • Fear of missing the familiar
  • Fear of new routines
• Positive aspects of change

  • Anticipating new opportunities
  • Possibility of great success
  • Excitement of new horizons
  • Growth and maturity
  • Discovering new things
  • Interesting activities
• Negative assumptions about change

  • Change is bad
  • I can never adjust to it
  • It is unfair
  • If I ignore it, it will go away
  • I can continue living normally without change
• Comfort zone


  The familiar, known environment
• Transition


  Moving from the comfort zone into the unknown
• Negative aspects of change

  • Uncertainty
  • Fear of failure
  • Fear of the unknown
  • Fear of discomfort
  • Fear of missing the familiar
  • Fear of new routines
• Positive aspects of change

  • Anticipating new opportunities
  • Possibility of great success
  • Excitement of new horizons
  • Growth and maturity
  • Discovering new things
  • Interesting activities
• Negative feelings towards change show how we view the change and suggest that we don't feel competent to cope with it
• Negative assumptions about change

  • Change is bad
  • I can never adjust to it
  • It is unfair
  • If I ignore it, it will go away
  • I can continue living normally without change
• If you change as a positive aspect you will go through changes more readily and with better control