Stress management and prevention: applications to daily life 3rd edition – ebook pdf version 2024 sc

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Welding Deformation

Ninshu Ma

and

Residual Stress

Prevention

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Concept3:SensitivitytoInitialConditionsoftheSystem

Concept4:Self-OrganizationandEmergence

Concept5:Attractors

Concept6:Bifurcation

OverviewofStressManagementandPrevention

Stage1:LifeSituations/ChronicStressors

Stage2:PerceptionandEvaluation

Stage3:StressResponse

Stage4:Consequences

Summary

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

2.TheBody’sReactionstoStress

TheBattleWithin NervousSystem

InitiationandControloftheStressResponse

TheBrainandStress

TheAutonomicNervousSystemandStress

TheEndocrineSystem

TheImmuneSystem

ImmunityandStress

TheCardiovascularSystem

TheGastrointestinalSystem

TheMusculoskeletalandSkinSystems

TheReproductiveSystem

NotAllDoomandGloom

Summary

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

3SourcesofStressacrosstheLifespan

DevelopmentalTasks

DevelopmentalStagesandMajorStressors

TransactionalModelofStress

StressinChildhood

PrenatalandInfantStress

StressinElementary-School-AgeChildren

HowChildrenCopewithStress

StressinAdolescence

PeerRelationships

AcademicsandSchool

UnusualStressors

HowTeenagersCopewithStressors

StressinYoungAdulthood

FriendshipsandTribalAffiliations

SelectingaLifePartner

CollegeandStress

WhenStressLeadstoSuicide

Sex,Drugs,RockandRoll

CareerSelectionandStress

StressduringMiddleAdulthood

TheFamilyLifeCycle

StressinLaterAdulthood

AdjustmentstoRetirement

HealthChanges

Death Summary

QuestionsforReview

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

4AdaptiveandMaladaptiveBehavior

TheoreticalModelsofCopingandAdaptation

PsychoanalyticModel

HumanisticModel

BehavioralModel

CognitiveModel

MindfulnessModel

EmotionalResponsestoStress

FearsandPhobias

AnxietyandPanicDisorders

ExistentialAngst

MonitoringAnxiety Depression

AngerandAggressiveBehavior

AngerManagement

MaladaptiveBehaviors

EatingDisorders

SubstanceAbuse

BehavioralAddictions

Workaholism

Summary

QuestionsforReview

ReviewActivity

ReferencesandResources

5IndividualandCulturalDifferences

PersonalityandStress

StatesversusTraits

TypeAPersonality

HelplessandHopelessPersonality

RepressivePersonality

CodependentPersonality

AddressingCodependencyIssues

GenderandStress

GenderDifferencesinStressResponses

GenderStereotypesandGenderRoleStressors

FeminineGenderRoleandStressors

MaleGenderRoleandStressors

GenderDifferencesinStress-RelatedDisordersandCopingStrategies

CultureandStress

CultureandtheTypesofStressorsExperienced CultureandtheAppraisalofStressors

CultureandtheChoiceofCopingStrategies

AcculturationStress

Summary

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivity

ReferencesandResources

PartII:StrategiesofStressManagementandPrevention

6.ChallengingStressfulThinking

PowerofMindsetsandCognitiveRestructuring

MostStressisSelf-Inflicted

CreatingMeaning

CognitiveTheoryinaNutshell

A:ActivatingEvent

C:EmotionalConsequence

B:IrrationalBelief

1.AbsoluteDemands

2Awfulizing

3.LowFrustrationTolerance

4.Musterbation

5AbsoluteJudgments

DisputingtheIrrationalBeliefs

ThePowerofLanguage

KeepingaThoughtJournal

Refraining

CeasingDisturbingThoughts

WhenChallengingStressfulThoughtsDoesn’tWork

Summary

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

7ProblemSolvingandTimeManagement

ProblemswithoutSolutions

DifferencesbetweenConcernandWorry,andWhyitMatters

ProblemSolvingandStress

BarrierstoEffectiveProblemSolving

DevelopingProblem-SolvingSkills

ProblemOrientation

Problem-SolvingStyle

TimeManagementandStress

TheValueofTime

SixPrinciplesforTimeManagement

Procrastination

CausesofProcrastination

OvercomingProcrastination

StrategiesforTimeManagement

DifferentiatebetweenImportantTasksandUrgentTasks

DoLess,NotMore

FigureOutWhat’sGettingintheWay

GetaCalendar

MakeaListandCheckitTwice

FigureOutWhereYouWasteTime

MaketheBestof“DownTime”

MakeSomeNecessaryCuts

FindBalance

StopComplaining

Summary

QuestionsforReview

ReferencesandResources

8.PsychologicalandSpiritualRelaxationMethods

Prevention,Treatment,andCopingwithStress

ThreeCommonElementsofRelaxationTechniques

Element1:TheMind–BodyConnection

Element2:AlteredStatesofConsciousness

Element3:EnhancedInternalLocusofControl

GuidedImagery

TypesofGuidedImagery

HowtoPerformaTherapeuticImagerySession

HowDoesGuidedImageryWork?

AutogenicTraining

MindfulnessandMindfulnessMeditation

TypesofMeditation

ElementsofMeditativePractice

BenefitsofMeditation

SeekingSerenitythroughtheSpiritualPath

ThePowerofPrayer

Summary

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivity

ReferencesandResources

9.PhysicalMethodsforStressReduction

TheCostofProgress

BenefitsofPhysicalExerciseandActivity

ExerciseandStressReduction

KindsofPhysicalActivityandExercise PrinciplesforImprovingFitnessLevels

ProgressiveMuscleRelaxation

PMRTechnique

ClinicalBenefitsandCautions

Breathing

TheProcessofBreathing

Yoga

BackgroundonYoga

FundamentalConceptsofYoga

TaiChi

FoundationsofTaiChi PrinciplesofTaiChiMovement

MetaphoricalLessonsofTaiChi

Summary

QuestionsforReview

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

10PreparingfortheFuture:CollegeandOccupationalStress

TheNatureofCollegeStress

Academics

Finances

SocialandIntimateRelationships

ChoiceofaCareer

BeingaNontraditionalStudent

BeingaMinorityCollegeStudent

DevelopingEffectiveStudyHabits

StudyHabitsforImprovedPerformance

Habit1:IdentifyClearGoalsandIntentions

Habit2:MakeitEasytoWork

Habit3:MakeLearningFun

Habit4:MaximizeYourResources

Habit5:ImproveYourMemory

Habit6:DemonstrateWhatYou’veLearned

OccupationalStress

SymptomsofOccupationalStress

SourcesofOccupationalStress

ReducingStressontheJob

Burnout:ASpecialFormofOccupationalStress

Summary

QuestionsforReview

ReviewActivity

ReferencesandResources

11.CareoftheSelf:NutritionandOtherLifestyleIssues

PortraitofaLifestyle

AssessingLifestyleDimensions

TechnologicalIntrusions

Diet,Nutrition,andStress

EatingandWeightProblemsNationwideandonCollegeCampuses

TheStressandEatingCycle

FoodsthatCanExacerbateStress

Caffeine

WardingOffStressthroughProperNutrition

UsingMyPlatetoDesignaBalancedDiet

EatingHealthfully:ASummaryofSuggestions

SmokingandTobaccoUse

WhyIsSmokingSoHarmful?

HowtoStopSmoking

ResponsibleUseofAlcohol

DealingwithAlcoholAbuse

Sleep

WhatHelpsYoutoSleepBetter?

ManagingYourFinances

SpendLessthanYouEarnandSavetheRest

StartInvestingEarly

KeepYourCreditClean

AvoidCreditCardInterest

BuyWhatYouNeedInsteadofWhatYouWant

Summary

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

12StressandConflictinRelationships

EffectsofConflictonYourBodyandMind

FunctionsofConflict

GettingYourAttention

PowerandControl

ConflictRegulatesDistance

ConflictPromotesReflectionandGrowth

BarrierstoResolvingRelationshipConflicts

WorkingthroughRelationshipConflicts

DealingwithEmotionalorInterpersonalAbuse

DealingwithSexualHarassment

DateRape

PreventingAssaults

ImprovingYourRelationshipSkills

PracticeMindfulnessinCommunication

ListeningwithFocusedAttention

NonverbalCues

HowtoListen

RespondingReflectively

PuttingitAllTogether

ExpressingYourself

StrategiesforManagingConflict

StayFlexible

TitforTat

ReframeConflict

RepeatMantras

PracticeAssertiveness

ExittheConflict

Summary

QuestionsforReview

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

PartIII:StrategiesofSynthesisandPrevention

13.ResilienceandStress

ResilienceandStress

ResilienceinAdulthoodandLaterLife

FactorsUnderlyingHumanResilience

ProtectiveFactors

TheHardyPersonality

TheTougheningFactor

LearnedOptimism

EmotionalResilience

SenseofCoherence

StrategiesforDevelopingResilience

LearningfromFailures

ProcessingFailuresEffectively

PracticethePrincipleofGivingUpandLettingGo

LetGooftheMaterialWorld

LetGoofthePast

LetGoofDysfunctionalBeliefs

BoostYourHardyPerceptionofLife

EmbraceParadoxicalTraits

DevelopHigherLevelsofEmotionalIntelligence

StrengthentheBiologicalFactorofResilience

Summary

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivities

ReferencesandResources

14.OptimalFunctioningandLastingChanges

AProactiveApproachtoStressManagementandPrevention

IdentificationofHumanStrengths

WhatAreYourSignatureStrengths?

AchievingWell-beingandMentalHealth

DeterminantsofHappiness

FlowandOptimalHumanFunctioning

TowardPeakPerformance:FromStresstoSuccess

StrategicPlanning

Self-Initiatives

MentalConditioning

RehearseunderStress

ScenarioPlanning

Perseverance,Perseverance,Perseverance

MakingChangesLast

WhatSabotagesLastingChange

SocialSupportSystem

SuggestionsforaPositiveStressManagementandPreventionProgram

AskforHelpifYouCan’tManageonYourOwn

AReviewofThingsYouLearned

AFinalSummaryandSomeHonest,RealisticPartingMessages

QuestionsforReview

SelectedAnswers

ReviewActivity ReferencesandResources

Glossary

Index

Welcometothejourneyofstressmanagementandprevention!IfeelthatImustbeone oftheluckiestguysintheworldIknowIronically,itallhastodowithbeingstressed outduringtheearlierpartofmycareer(youwillgetthestorylaterinthisintroduction).

Theusualapproachtothesubjectofstressisthatitisaltogetherabadthingthatmustbe “managed,”ifnoteliminated,atallcostsHowever,whenyoutakeaclassonstress management,learningsuchstressreductiontechniquesasdeepbreathing,mindfulness meditation,progressivemusclerelaxation,yoga,taichi,journaling,timemanagement, andvisualization,tomentionafewoftheoptions,youwillfindouthowmuchitwill transformyourlifeforthebetter.Likemanyofmystudents,theymayregretnothaving takenitatanearliertimeButIhavetogiveyouasoberingfact,namely,learningand practicingstressmanagementandpreventionskillsrequireslotsofself-discipline, significanttime,energy,andcommitmentinordertomakethechangeslastovertime

Therealityisthatmostpeopledon’tstickwithdiets,exerciseprograms,orstressreductionplansforverylong.Thatisonereasonwhythereisalwaysanewbest-selling bookonthemarketthatpromisesimmediate,dramaticresultswithlittleeffortThatis alsowhy,afewyearsafteryougraduatefromcollege,littlethatyoulearnedwillstick withyouOnereasonforthisisalackofrelevanceofthecontenttoyourpersonal interestsandgoals.Anotheristhatthematerialmaynothavebeenintroducedtoyouin awaythatwascompellingorinteresting

KeyQuestions

•Whatarethereasonsthatyouhavenotmaintainedimportantchangesinyour life,especiallythoserelatedtoyourhealth?

•Inwhichclasseshaveyoulearnedthemost?Whatcontributedtothatlearning remainingapermanentpartofyourlife?

•Whathavebeenthemostcriticalincidentsthathaveoccurredinyourlifeand howhavetheyimpactedonthechoicesyouhavemade,aswellasthoseyouare consideringinthefuture?

•Afterreadingthepersonalstoryoftheauthor,whatmightyouexpectfromwhat willfollow?

Youmayneverhavealearningexperiencethatismoredirectlyrelatedtoyoursuccess andsatisfactioninlifethanthisclassonstressmanagementandprevention.Mygoalis toassistyourinstructorsothatthisexperiencewillnotonlyteachyousomenewskills toreducethestressinyourlifeinthepresentandthefuture,butalsotohelpyou approachtheinevitablepressuresinlifeinsuchawaythatyoucanperformatpeak levelswhetherinschool,onthejob,orintherelationshipsthatmeanthemosttoyou

Youalreadyknow,frompreviousexperience,whatittakesnotonlytolearn something,buttomakeitpartofwhoyouareandthewaysyoufunction characteristically.Inorderforthemethodsinthisclasstobecomeapermanentpartof yourrepertoire,severalfactorsmustbeoperating:

1YoumustactivelyengagewiththecontentYoucan’tjustreadaboutthesubject, orlistentolecturesaboutit;youmustthinkcriticallyaboutthematerialandtry itoutforyourself.

2YoumustpersonalizeandadaptthelearningtoyourparticularneedsWith anythingthatyoureaditislegitimateforyoutoaskyourselfwhatthishastodo withyourlifeYouaretheonewhomustfigureoutwaystotaketheseideasand applytheminwaysthatmeanthemosttoyou.

3Practiceandrehearsalareanecessarypartofanysystematiclearningprogram. Atfirst,newskillsseemawkwardandtime-consuming.Overtime,with diligenceandeffort,theybecomeaseasyforyouasdrivingacar(whichonce seemedawkwardandfrustrating)Inorderforyoutobewillingtodevotethe timeandenergyintopracticingnewskills,withoutincreasingyourstresslevels, you’llneedtofeelasiftheeffortisworththeoutcome

4.Finally,youneedasupportsystemtoreinforceyourefforts.Itmaybefairly difficultforyoutoundertakenewbehaviorsunlessyouaresurroundedbythose whosupportwhatyouaredoingThatisonedistinctadvantageofhaving classmateswhoarepartofthissamejourney.

Withthesecautionsinmind,Iinviteyoutokeepanopenmindtotheideasthatwill bepresentedtoyou,aswellastothinkcriticallyandrealisticallyaboutwhatyouare preparedtodoinyourlife,andwhatyouarenot.Youcertainlyhaveenoughstressful circumstancesthatyoudon’tneedadditionalburdens,orcommitments,unlesstheycan bedemonstratedtolightenyourloadsignificantly.Iaimtoshowyouhowtodothat notjustfromsolidtheoryandresearch,butalsobasedonyourownexperiences

Atextbooksuchasthisnotonlyinvolvespresentationsofcontent,butalsoengages youinaprocess.Thisis,afterall,averypersonalsubject:Iamtalkingaboutthosetimes whenyouaremostvulnerableandmosthelplessIfIexpectyoutoreflecthonestlyon thoseinstanceswhenyoufeelmostfloodedbyanxiety(aswellaswhatyoucando aboutit),thenImustbewillingtodothesametoearnyourtrustandrespectMy expertiseintheareasofkinesiology,sportpsychology,cognitivepsychology,pedagogy, healthscience,andstress,taichi,andqigongisinformednotonlybymyresearch,

teaching,andpractice,butalsobymypersonalhistory

IfirstfeltattractedtothesubjectofstressmanagementbecauseIexperiencedsomuch stressinmylifeAtage23,IcametopursuemygraduatestudiesinAmericawithvery limitedfinancialresourcesandnorelativeshere.Ileftbehindmyfamilyandmywife whomIhadmarriedjustafewweekspriortoboardingtheplane.Iwastotallyaloneand utterlyunsureaboutmyfuture

Afterseveraldaysspentrecuperatingfromjetlagandadjustingtomynewhomein ruralFlorida,anewsemesterimmediatelystartedIwasscheduledtotakefourgraduate classesthatwereintenseanddemanding.Iworkedmyheartoutforthesecourses,each ofwhichrequiredahugetermpaper(inEnglishratherthanMandarin!).Ispentseven consecutivesleeplessnightscrankingoutthosepapersAlthoughIwaspleasedtoreceive excellentgrades,Ialsobegantoexperiencechestpains,aswellasdifficultybreathing.I medicatedmyselfwithaspirinandtriedtotakeiteasy,andnoticedsomereliefof symptoms.Later,Ibeganjoggingregularlyandplayingbasketball,whichhelped immensely.

MystressstartedtobuildagainaboutthetimeIcompletedmygraduatestudiesFirst, wefoundoutthatmywifewaspregnantwithourfirstchild.Second,Ibeganmyfirst teachingjobandhadtopreparefourconferencepresentationssimultaneouslyOnthe inside,Ifeltalmostparalyzedwithstress,butIbehavedasifIhadeverythingunder control.

Duringthistime,Istoppedexercisingandbeganeatingjunkfoodbecauseitwas cheapandconvenient.IrecognizedthesamesymptomsofbreathlessnessthatIhad experiencedearlierAfterstrollingforafewminutes,Istartedtofeellight-headedand experiencedincreasingchestpains.Ifelltotheground,clutchingmychest,inthethroes ofwhatIbelievedwasamassiveheartattack

Irecoveredthatevening,figuringithadbeenafalsealarm.Whenthesymptoms returnedthefollowingmorning,mywifedrovemeimmediatelytothehospital.Wehad nohealthinsuranceandverylittlemoney,sothethoughtofpayingthehospitalbillonly addedtomysenseofimpendingdoom.Bythetimethedoctorcameintoseeme,Iburst outsobbingIcriedsohardthatIcouldn’tspeakAfterconsultingwithseveral specialists,Ieventuallylearnedthatmyheart-attack-likesymptomswereinducedby severestress.UntilIlearnedtocontrolthesesymptoms,Iwouldremainvulnerableto bothstomachailmentsaswellasotherdistressingfeelings

Thisexperiencegotmyattentionlikenothingelsecould.Ibegantoexaminetheways Iconductedmylife,especiallymytendencytoprocrastinateandputthingsoffuntilthe lastminute.IhadbeenacompetitiveathleteinChina,buthadvirtuallygivenup exerciseafterarrivinginAmericabecauseIwassodriventosucceedacademically. Withindaysafterthehospitalvisit,Istartedpracticingtaichi,aformofmoving meditationIwillteachyoulaterinthisbook.

IwishIcouldtellyouthatIlivedhappilyeverafterthatuponembarkingonthis plantomanagethepressuresinmylife,Ihavebeenstress-freeeversince.However,life stressorsseemedtoariseinproportiontothespeedIlearnedtoadapt.

Playingbasketballorpracticingtaichididn’tseemtoputadentinthepressurethat hadnowmigratedfrommychestdowntomystomach.Ibeganexperiencingsevere stomachproblemsRatherthansurrendering,however,IdecidedtoapplywhatIhad beenlearningalltheseyearsabouthealth.Iknewthat,inordertodealwithseverestress likethis,Ihadtotakecareofmybody,mymind,andmysoul.Ilearnedthatphysical fitnessisjustonecomponentofwell-beingInordertobehealedandhealthy,Imust enhancetheotherpartsofmylifeincludingworkproductivity,interpersonal communication,andspiritualityMostofwhatyouwillreadinthisbookIhavetested personallyandhaveappliedtomyownlife.

OneofmygreatopportunitiescamewhenIwasassignedtoteachstressmanagement, ageneraleducationclassonourcampus.Myskillsandknowledgeabout stressmanagementandpreventionbegantoexpandanddeepenwithteaching.Imagine thatmystudentsonlyhearmeteachtheconceptsandskillsofstressreductiononce whileIhaveheardmyselfcountlesstimestothepointthatthesegreatideasfindtheir wayintomyfeelingsandactionsAnotherimportantskillIlearnedtomanagemystress iscountingblessingsandshowinggratitude.So,letmesincerelyshowmygratitudeto mymentorandcollaboratorDr.JeffreyKottlerwhogenerouslyletmetakeoverthe bookIamgratefultomywifeandchildrenwhoseloveandsupportsustainedmy motivationduringtherevisionofthisedition.

ForReflection

Note:Thisisthefirstofmanyreflectiveexercisesandactivitiesthatyouwillbeaskedto completethroughoutthisbook,aswellastheaccompanyingworkbookTheyare intendedtohelpyouputintopracticetheprinciplesassociatedwithlastingchange.In otherwords,ifyouwantthethingsyoulearninthisclasstostickwithyouoveryour

lifetime,ratherthanmerelymemorizeandforgetthemafterthesemesterisover,thenit iscriticalforyoutoapplytheideastoyourownlife.Thismeanstakinganactivepartin reflectingonthecontentandmakingitrelevanttoyourparticularsituation Personalizingtheconceptsandapplyingtheprinciplestoyourdailylifewillhelpyou makechangesinyourownlife.

Inthepersonalstoryofyourauthor,Idisclosedafewofthecriticalincidentsofmylife thathavemostshapedwhoIam,includingcareerandpersonallifestylechoices.Note belowseveralofyourmostsignificantlifeexperiencesthatinfluencedyou,forbetteror worse

Howhavetheseparticularincidentscontinuedtoinfluenceandaffectyou?

Summary

Inthispersonalintroductiontothetext,Ihavetriedtobehonestandrealisticregarding whatliesahead.Ican’timaginethatthereisanyclassyoucouldevertakethatcouldbe morevaluableandtransformativethanonethatteachesyoutopreventandmanage stress.Suchskillswillnotonlyhelpyoutobemoreproductiveandperformathigher levelsinallareasofyourlifebut,justasimportantly,willhelpyoutofindgreater enjoymentinwhatyouaredoingandhowyouareliving.

MypersonalintroductionwasintendedtodemonstratethatalthoughIhavesome expertiseintheareaofstress,conductingresearchinthisareaandteachingtheclassfor manyyears,Iamalsoaworkinprogress.IsoenjoystudyingthisareabecauseIfindit sopersonallyrelevantIhopemyownstoryintriguesandinspiresyouenoughtotrust thatwhatIhavetoofferhasbeentestednotonlybyresearchinthefield,butbymy ownexperiences.Asmuchaspossible,ItrytopracticewhatIwillteachyou.

Nomatterwhatyouviewasyourownstrengthsorweaknesses,nomatterwhatyour personalityislike,oryourlifeexperiences,orwhatyouhaveenduredorsuffered,or howyoufeelvulnerable,youcanmakegreatstridesinyourpersonalfunctioningThis studyofstressmanagementwillteachyouwhatyouneedtoknowtofunctionmore effectivelyineveryaspectofyourlife

AbouttheAuthor

DavidDChenisprofessorofkinesiologyatCaliforniaStateUniversity,FullertonHe hasauthoredandco-authoredmorethan20researcharticlesintheareasofmotor learning,sportpsychology,stressreduction,andtaichiHisresearchinterestsinclude mindfulnesspractices,humanperformanceunderstress,feedbackstrategiesinmotor skilllearning,andself-regulatedlearning.Hehastaughtoristeachingstress management,motorcontrolandmotordysfunction,motorcontrolandlearning, advancedstudiesinteachinghumanmovement,motordevelopment,sportpsychology, andtaichiHehasbeenaconsultantofstressreductionforcorporationsand organizationsandisanadjunctprofessorforaninstituteoforientalmedicineinLos Angeles.

UnderstandingtheNatureofStress

•1TheMeaningofStress

•2TheBody’sReactionstoStress

•3SourcesofStressacrosstheLifespan

•4AdaptiveandMaladaptiveBehavior

•5IndividualandCulturalDifferences

1

TheMeaningofStress

ItisMondaymorningandthesunisjustbeginningtopeekoverthehorizon,castinga dimshadowthroughtheslatsofthewindowblinds.Inthemostlydarkenedroomyou canseethebarestoutlineofabodysittingatadeskwithhisheadcradledinhisarms, restingnearalaptop.Thesurfaceofthedeskislitteredwithpapers,cupshalf-filledwith coffee,crushedcansofcaffeinatedenergydrinks,andtheremnantsofpizzacrustIfyou lookcloseryoucanseethattheperson,althoughhalf-deadtotheworld,isnotquite sleeping:hiseyesarebarelyopen,red,andblurry.Ithasbeenalongnightwithoutsleep andBlainehasbeenpreppingforanexamscheduledthatmorning,aswellasapaper dueintheafternoon.

Somehow,someway,Blainehasgottoregainsomeenergytogetthroughtheday, stayawakethroughhisclasses,andthenshowupforhispart-timejob.It’sbeen especiallytoughlatelywithmoneysotightandgettingworse.Hecan’taffordtomissa dayofworkorhe’llriskloweringhismainsourceofincomeWithproblemsoftheir own,hisparentsareinnopositiontohelphimmuch.

Tomakemattersevenmorechallenging,Blaineandhisgirlfriendhavebeenfighting lately.Shecomplainsthattheyneverseemtohavemuchtimetobetogetheranymore andwhentheydohangout,heissotiredthatallhewantstodoiswatchTVorplay computergames.Inaddition,hejusthasn’tbeenfeelingwelllately.Headacheshave beenoccurringwithgreaterfrequency.Heisn’tsleepingwellwhenhefindsthetimeto sleepatallHisgradesareslippingbecausehecan’tfindthetimetostudyasmuchas he’dlike.AbouttheonlythingthatgivesBlainesomereliefisdrinkingbeerwith friends,butthenhehastroublewakingupthenextmorningtomakehisearlyclassHe wondershowhewilleverdighimselfoutofthishole.

Althoughthisscenarioisnotexactlyuncommonamongcollegestudents,Ihopethatit isn’ttoofamiliartoyouUnlikesomepeopleyoumayknowwhomstresshasburied beyondrecovery,Blaineactuallymadesignificantprogressinregainingcontrolofhis lifeAfriendhadrecommendedthathetakeastressmanagementclasssotheycould coordinatetheirschedules.Asithappened,Blaineagreed,mostlybecauseitwasoffered ataconvenienttimeandseemedlikeaneasygrade.Butoncehebeganlearningabout thecumulativeeffectsofstressonhisbodyandwell-being,Blainebeganexperimenting withsomeofthemethodsintroducedinclassandhistext.Morethananythingelse,it wasthesocialsupporthefeltfromothersintheclassthatencouragedhimtoincorporate thenewstressreductionstrategiesintohislife.

Regardlessofyourparticularage,gender,socioeconomicbackground,major,family situation,andthecollegeyouareattending,managingstresseffectivelyisperhapsthe singlemostimportantskilltogetthemostfromyourexperienceandperformatthe highestlevelAmong“nontraditional”adultstudents,whorepresentone-thirdofcollege enrollment,thereareaddedchallengestobalanceschoolwithjobs,family,andpersonal responsibilities(Giancola,Grawitch,&Borchert,2009)Accordingtoanumberof surveysofcollegestudentsconductedbytheAssociatedPress(2009),theAmerican CollegeHealthAssociation(2009),andtheChronicleofHigherEducation(2008),85% reportthatstressisamajorproblemandthesinglegreatestobstacletosuccessApart fromactualperformanceinclassesandgradesachieved,excessivestressaffectsalmost everyaspectoflifesatisfactionInrecenttimes,economicproblemshaveledtocutbacks inclasses,staff,faculty,andservicesoncampus.Scholarshipshavebeenreducedduring atimewhenthree-quartersofallstudentsgraduatewithdebt(Berg-Gross&Green, 2010)

Stressmeansdifferentthingstodifferentpeople.Tosome,itrepresentsacomplete breakdownintheirlives;toothers,itmeansaminorannoyancethatisbestignored,or tolerated;andinsomecircumstances,stressmeansanopportunitytorisetonewlevels ofperformanceinavarietyofareas.Somepeopletoleratestressreasonablywell,some fallapart,andothershardlyseemtonoticethepressureinthefirstplace

KeyQuestionsintheChapter

•Whatarethedifferentwaysthatpeoplerespondtoadversityintheirlives?

•Howcanyouassessthesignsandsymptomsofstressastheyoccurinyourself andothers?

•Stressisordinarilythoughtofasafairlynegativestate,somethingtobe avoidedwheneverpossible.Buthowcanstressbehighlyfunctionalandoperate asasurvivalmechanism?

•Whatisthegeneraladaptationsyndrome(GAS)andhowdoesitfunction duringtimesofstress?

•Whatistheprimarygoalofstressmanagement?Cansuchaprogram completelyeliminatestress?

•Whataremajorsourcesofstressandhowaretheyrecognized?

•Howdoyouinterpretthefollowingstatement:“Stressisnotwhatexistsonthe outside,buthowyouperceiveasituationontheinside”?

•Howdoesthedynamicalsystemstheoryinterpretstressandstresscoping? Whatarethesixkeyconceptsofthedynamicalsystemstheory?

WhatIsStressAnyway?

Thismayseemlikearatherobviousquestion.Everyoneknowswhatstressisor,atthe veryleast,knowswhentheyareexperiencingitfirsthandorwitnessingitseffectson someoneclosetothem

Stressisthatfeelingwhenyoucan’tseemtositstill,whenyourthoughtsareracing andyoufeeloutofcontrolYourbodyfeelstense,asiftiedintoaknotYoufeelrevved upbutcan’tfigureoutwheretodirectyourenergy.Timepressuresweighdownonyou. Concentrationseemsdifficult.

Intensepressure:youfeelitinyourneck,inyourback,inyourbellyYounoticeyour jawmusclesareclenched.Thereis,perhaps,athrobbinginyourhead.Yourheartrate hasincreased,andyourhandsfeelclammy

Thisisstress,oratleastsomeofthesymptoms.Asyouwilllearn,therearemany othersthatyouwilllearntorecognize,andunderstandhowtheydevelop.Therearealso differentkindsofstress,someofwhichbreakdownyourbodyandmindwhileothers actuallyhelpyouperformatpeaklevels.

Onedefinitionofstressisthatitrepresentsbothapsychologicalandaphysiological reactiontoarealorperceivedthreatthatrequiressomeactionorresolution.Itisa responsethatoperatesoncognitive,behavioral,andbiologicallevelsthat,when sustainedandchronic,resultsinsignificantnegativehealtheffects(Linden,2005).Stress is,therefore,whathappenswhenlifeexertspressureonus,butalsothewayitmakesus feelAccordingtolandmarkbrainresearcherBruceMcEwen(McEwen,2002;McEwen& Wingfield,2010),itisbothastimulusandaresponse.

Amorehumorous(andperhapsaccurate)descriptionofstressisofferedbyElkin (1999,p.24)astheconditioncreatedwhen“yourmindoverridesthebody’sbasicdesire tochokethelivingdaylightsoutofsomeidiotwhodesperatelydeservesit.”(Note:There isahighlikelihoodthatyourfriendsandfamilyaregoingtoaskwhatyouarelearning in“thatstressclassyouaretaking.”Pleaseofferthemthefirstdefinitionratherthanthe secondone)

Stressisactuallyasurvivalmechanism,programmedalongtimeago,toincrease internalawarenessofdangerandtransformallthebody’sresourcestoaheightenedstate ofreadinessItis,essentially,theexperienceofperceivedattackItdoesn’tmatter whetherthethreatisrealornot;theautonomicnervoussystem(think“automatic”)is activatedThissystemworkswellonlywhenitturnsitselfonandoffwithina reasonableperiodoftimesoastonotwearoutitswelcome(anddepleteyourenergy). Unfortunately,halfofallAmericansreportsignificantstressintheirlives.Evenmore disturbingly,accordingtoarecentsurvey,mostpeopledon’tintendtodoanything aboutit(Schuler,2006).

Thereisafairlygoodpossibilitythatyouareexperiencingsomedegreeofstressin

yourliferightnow,perhapsthisveryminute.Howdoyouknowwhenyouarestressed? Stressresponseshavesomecommonsymptomsandsigns,buttheyarealsohighly individualized,impactingyourbody,yourinternalthoughts,youremotionalreactions, andyourbehavior(seeTable1.2laterinthechapter).

Stresssymptomsarethebody’swayofgettingyourattentiontotellyou:Look,you’ve gottogetyouracttogetherI’malittletiredofyourunningmeraggedI’mgoingto annoyyouuntilyoudosomethingaboutthissituation.Andifyoudon’tpayattentionto me,wellthen,I’lljusthavetofigureoutmorewaystogettoyou

Ifyourbodycouldtalktoyou,itmightcommunicatethismessage.Theproblemis thatstresssymptomsarenotalwaysobviousanddirect;sometimestheycanbecome disguisedorrathersubtleandtheirmessagessomewhatclouded

MeaningsofStress

Treythoughthehadthingsundercontrol.Hewaswellorganizedandintentionalin almosteverythinghedid.Hehadaplanforhislifeandclearideasaboutjusthowhe wantedtoreachhisgoals

Inadditiontohiscollegecourses,Treyhadagoodjobandwaswellrespectedatwork. Therewereopportunitiesforadvancementwithinthecompanyandalmostnolimitto howfarhecouldrise,especiallyafterhecompletedhisdegree.Hewasinvolvedina long-termrelationshipwithMia,whomhehadbeenseeingsincetheywereboth16.

Treywasdoingwellinschool,enjoyedagoodsociallifewithfriends,andwasgetting alongwellwithhisfamily.Hewasingoodhealth,exercisedregularly,andexceptfora fondnessforHawaiianpizzawithextrahammonitoredhisdiet

Soitwasallthemoresurprising,givenhowwelleverythingseemedtobegoinginhis life,thathesuddenly(ormaybeitwasgraduallyhecouldn’tremember)startedtolose controlFirsttheheadachesstarted,andthiswashighlyunusualforhim;hewasalmost neversick.Hetriedtoignorethemand,whenthatdidn’twork,startingconsumingupto adozenaspirinadaytoreducethethrobbing

Eventually,Treydecidedtovisithisdoctor,butafterathoroughphysicalexam,no physiologicalcausewasfoundHisbloodpressurewasalittlehigh,aswashis cholesterol,butotherwisehewasinreasonablygoodshape.

“Theyseemtobestressheadaches,”thedoctorsuggestedtohim.“Areyouunderalot ofpressurelately?”

Treyshrugged.“Notreally,”hereplied.“Everythingisgoingprettywellinmylife. I’vegoteverythingundercontrol”Thesewerethemantrasofhislife,histrademark responseseverytimeanyoneaskedhimhowthingsweregoing.Indeed,Treywasmuch admiredbyfriendsandfamilyalikeforhiscalm,controlleddemeanorandabilityto keepthingsundercontrol

Hereisthekeyquestion:whatistheparticularmeaningofTrey’sstresssymptoms? Later,whenhewasaskedthisquestionbyafriendwhohadtakenastressmanagement class,allTreycoulddowasshakehisheadinfrustration.

ItturnedoutthatTrey’sstrengthswerealsohisweaknesses.Hewasabsolutely relentlessinhisdesiretomaintaincontrolandkeepeverythingoncoursetofollowhis plan.Hewouldbegraduatingintwoyears(19monthstobeexact).Heandhisgirlfriend wouldthengetmarriedandhavefourchildren,twoofeachgenderBythenhewouldbe aregionalmanagerforthecompany.They’downahomeinaparticularneighborhood thatappealedtohim.Heevenknewwhatkindofcarhewantedoncehehadachieved hissuccess.

So,what’stheproblem?Andwhywouldastressresponselikeheadachesemergejust whenthingsseemedtobesoundercontrol?WhatwasthemeaningofstressinTrey’s

life?Howwerethesesymptomstryingtogethisattentiontolookatsomethinghewas ignoring?(SeeForReflection1.1.)

AvoidingthesituationdidnotworkforTrey,nordidmedicatinghimselffirstwith aspirinandlaterwithincreasingquantitiesofbeer.Theheadachesworsened.Thenother symptomsdeveloped,includingaskinrash.

IttooksometimebeforeTreyconfrontedwhatwasgoingoninhislifeHerealized eventuallythathesoover-structuredandcontrolledhislifethathedidn’teverhaveto thinkaboutwherehewasheadedandwhether,infact,heactuallywantedtoreachthe goalsthathehaddeclared.Asitturnedout,hewasveryfondofhisgirlfriendbuthe didn’tloveher,andhecertainlydidn’twanttospendtherestofhislifewithher.Butfor yearshehadn’twantedtohurtherfeelingsHewantedtodotherightthing,sothat meantcontinuingtolivealie.

Andthisgreatjobhehad,andbrightfuturewiththecompany?Heneverreally wantedtobeinbusiness.Thatwastheinfluenceofhisfather,whowassoproudofhim. Nowthatherealizedit,Treyhadnoideawhathewantedtodowithhislifebecauseit hadneverseemedlikehehadachoice

Nowthattheheadacheshadforcedhimtostopdoingwhathewasdoing,Treyhad theopportunitytoactuallyconsiderwherehewasheadedandwhetherhereallywanted togothere.Oncehediscoveredtheparticularmeaningofstressinhislife,theheadaches wentaway(althoughtheskinrashstuckaroundforalmostayearafterwards,aresidual remindertofollowthroughonhisnewcommitments)Findingmeaninginstressisthus notjustanacademicexercisebutoftenisabsolutelynecessarytoputlifechallengesin perspectiveandallowyoutorestorefeelingsofwell-beingafterexperiencing disappointmentortrauma(Fontana&Rosenheck,2005).

What’sinaName?

Stressisthenamegiventothepressurethatcracksbridgesortheforcethatplacesstrain onanobjectorbody.Itissynonymouswithtension,fatigue,failure,trauma,or difficultyThewordisderivedfromtheMiddleEnglishstresse,meaning“hardship,”and theOldFrenchestrece,meaning“oppression.”Moreoftenthannot,thesubjectofstress isthoughtofinthemostnegativetermspossibleitissomethingtobemanaged,orat leasttolerated,butrarelyunderstood.

Thetermhascroppedupinmedicinesincetheseventeenthcentury,recognizedby physiciansasthecauseofphysicalillnessesthatmightresultfromsocialpressureIt cameintocommonusageduringthe1950swhenaCanadianbiologist,HansSelye,first publishedabookthatadaptedtheconceptofstrainonphysicalstructuresfrom engineeringtodescribewhathappenstothehumanbodyduringtimesofcrisis.In retrospect,Selyedidn’tmuchlikethetermafteritbecamepopularmuchpreferring “strain”butbythenitwastoolate(youcan’texactlyissueawordrecall)

ForReflection1.1

WhatideasmightyouhaveastowhatstresscouldmeaninTrey’slife?Whatmighthe beignoringthatneedsattention?Whataretheprincipalrepeatingthemesinthis narrative?

Giventhatcontroland(over)planningaresuchaningrainedpartofTrey’slife,isitany wonderthatthismightsuppressotherdesiresanddreamsthathedoesnotallowhimself tothinkabout?

Thereareseveralimportantquestionsthatareusefulinidentifyingthemeaningof disguisedorsubtlestressConsidereachoftheminresponsetoTrey’ssituation

1.WhatdoesTreyneedtolookatthathemightbeignoring?

2.HowarethestresssymptomscapturingTrey’sattention?

3.Whatmightthesymptomsbecommunicatingtohim?

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