Understanding Stress and Its Effects

Study Notes

Stress is a reaction from the mind and body to a stimulus that disrupts well-being, calmness, or equilibrium.
Stress can be helpful in small amounts and over short periods of time.
Excessive stress over long periods can be harmful to physical and mental health.

Stress can be a stimulus, a response, or a relational condition.
As a stimulus, stress is caused by situations that may be life-threatening or life-changing.
These situations or events are called stressors.
As a response, stress is the way the body reacts to challenging situations.
The body releases hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine, which prepare the body for action.
Adolescents have a faster physical response to stress due to their developing prefrontal cortex.
Prolonged stress can wear down the body and lead to fatigue, aging, and illness.
Stress as relational involves assessing the situation causing stress and evaluating its relevance.
Positive relevance leads to a more positive outlook.
Negative relevance can produce negative emotions and stress.

Healthy stress benefits a person.
It is short, sporadic, and can motivate or energize someone.
Examples include public speaking and competing in sports.
Bad stress can be transformed into good stress by assessing the situation positively.

There are external and internal stressors.
External stressors come from outside, like situations, people, and experiences.
Internal stressors come from within, like thoughts, uncertainties, lack of control, and personal beliefs.