Definition: Stress is the body's reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response.

Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, nervous, or anxious. Stress is caused by an existing stress-causing factor or "stressor." Dealing with a serious illness or caring for someone who is can cause a great deal of stress. 3 Components of Stress by RICHARD on JUNE 20, 2010

The Causes & Solutions for Stress in Our Daily Lives There are three components to the concept of stress: 1.) The Stressor 2.) The Processing of that Information 3.) The Stress Response The stressor is the stimulus that initiates the stress response. Connecting the stressor stimulus to the stress response, is the informational processing component of the individual (which of course varies from person to person, situation to situation). Information processing by the individual is the component that determines WHICH stimulus is indeed a stressor to that person. This can all occur very swiftly, or build over time.

Thus we have: Stress Stimulus + Informational Processing = Stress Response. The stress response is well-defined and involves all aspects of the individual, from psychological to physiological. This response is a call to action response from a threat, or sense of urgency, about something in one s environment. It is designed to be a short-term event. Too much stress response, especially when it turns chronic, undermines our health.

The stress response is non-specific, it is not limited to any specific stimuli. Any number of different stimuli, which can be ANY aspect of one s life, can become a stressor and initiate a stress response. The stress response is cumulative; many different SMALL stressors can have the same effect as one LARGE stressor.

The key to managing stress is to address EACH of the three components: 1.) Remove the stressor (which is not always feasible);

2.) Change how we process the information so that the stressor s meaning to us is not so compelling or threatening (via mindful reflection, meditation, counseling, energy treatments, etc.); 3.) Counteract the effects of the stress response (through energy/massage treatments, supplementation, exercise, rest/sleep, diet, fun, etc.). These three approaches interact in positive self-reinforcing ways. For example, removing the effects of the stress response allows us to process information in different ways, changing the meaning of the stressor, and providing insight as how to more effectively remove the stressors, which in turn means less stress response. Potential stressors are internal as well as external. Our thoughts can initiate a stress response without the presence of an external stressor. For example, when our thoughts are difficult to control, negative, selfreinforcing, and part of a stress-creating pattern, we then have post-traumatic stress syndrome. Conscious/unconscious internal conflicts can be a source of continuous chronic stress. Our impulses to act are blocked by conflict, building tension. We are compelled to act, but can t, because our conscious/unconscious selves may see any other alternative as threatening in some way. The best approach to resolving INTERNAL stress is to handle in the same way as our approach to EXTERNAL stress, by addressing ALL THREE components.

General Adaptation Syndrome Definition General adaptation syndrome, or GAS, is a term used to describe the body's short-term and long-term reactions to stress. Stressors in humans include such physical stressors as starvation, being hit by a car, or suffering through severe weather. Additionally, humans can suffer such emotional or mental stressors as the loss of a loved one, the inability to solve a problem, or even having a difficult day at work. Description Originally described by Hans Selye (1907 1982), an Austrian-born physician who emigrated to Canada in 1939, the general adaptation syndrome represents a three-stage reaction to stress. Selye explained his choice of terminology as follows: "I call this syndrome general because it is produced only by agents which have a general effect upon large portions of the body. I call itadaptive because it stimulates defense . I call it a syndrome because its individual manifestations are coordinated and even partly dependent upon each other." Selye thought that the general adaptation syndrome involved two major systems of the body, the nervous system and the endocrine (or hormonal) system. He then went on to outline what he considered as three distinctive stages in the syndrome's evolution. He called these stages the alarm reaction (AR), the stage of resistance (SR), and the stage of exhaustion (SE). Stage 1: alarm reaction (ar) The first stage of the general adaptation stage, the alarm reaction, is the immediate reaction to a stressor. In the initial phase of stress, humans exhibit a "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body for physical activity. However, this initial response can also decrease the effectiveness of the immune system, making persons more susceptible to illness during this phase. Stage 2: stage of resistance (sr)

Stage 2 might also be named the stage of adaptation, instead of the stage of resistance. During this phase, if the stress continues, the body adapts to the stressors it is exposed to. Changes at many levels take place in order to reduce the effect of the stressor. For example, if the stressor is starvation (possibly due to anorexia), the person might experienced a reduced desire for physical activity to conserve energy, and the absorption of nutrients from food might be maximized. Stage 3: stage of exhaustion (se) At this stage, the stress has continued for some time. The body's resistance to the stress may gradually be reduced, or may collapse quickly. Generally, this means the immune system, and the body's ability to resist disease, may be almost totally eliminated. Patients who experience long-term stress may succumb to heart attacks or severe infection due to their reduced immunity. For example, a person with a stressful job may experience long-term stress that might lead to high blood pressure and an eventual heart attack.

Distress and Eustress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In medicine, distress is an aversive state in which a person is unable to adapt completely to stressors and their resulting stress and shows maladaptive behaviors.[1] It can be evident in the presence of various phenomena, such as inappropriate social interaction (e.g., aggression, passivity, or withdrawal). Stress can be created by influences such as work, school, peers or co-workers, family and death. Other influences vary upon age. This means that distress is the opposite of eustress, a positive stress that motivates us. People under constant distress are more likely to become sick, mentally or physically. People often find ways of dealing with distress, in both negative and positive ways. Examples of positive ways are listening to music, calming exercises, sports and similar healthy distractions. Negative ways can include but are not limited to use of drugs, use of alcohol and expression of anger, which are likely to lead to complicated social interactions, thus causing increased distress. Eustress is a term coined by endocrinologist Hans Selye which is defined in the model of Richard Lazarus (1974) as stress that is healthy, or gives one a feeling of fulfillment or other positive feelings. Eustress is a process of exploring potential gains. Etymology The word eustress consists of two parts. The prefix eu- derives from the Greek word meaning either "well" or "good". When attached to the word stress, it literally means "good stress". Compared with distress Distress is the most commonly-referred to type of stress, having negative implications, whereas eustress is a positive form of stress, usually related to desirable events in a person's life. Both can be equally taxing on the body, and are cumulative in nature, depending on a person's way of adapting to a change that has caused it. The body itself cannot physically discern between distress or eustress.

CAUSES OF STRESS

1. Financial Problems This is the number one source of stress these days. You and your family are not be able to do what you want to due to lack of money. Debts are piling up. Credit Card payments, pending mortgage installments, rising costs of education, mounting expenditure on health concerns. Financial matters top the list of stressors. 2. Workplace Stress Stress at workplace is another of the main causes of stress. You may be worried about your next promotion. You might be facing the negative or bullying behavior of your boss. You might not be reaching your well-deserved career goals; you might be worried due to office politics. You might be stressed about some major change that is taking place in the organization, or, you might be under stress because of the prospect of losing your job. 3. Personal Relationships Studies of children, attitude of relatives, arguments with spouse or children, change of place due to requirements of your job, illness of a family member, moving in of parents or moving out of elder children are all main causes of stress. 4. Health Heart diseases, hypertension, problems with eye sight and sugar afflict many people becoming a major cause of life stress for them. Maintaining good health, reducing weight, increasing weight, being able to lead a healthy life-style: all of these and a few more are the main causes of stress due to health concerns. 5. Irritants - Besides the ones that I have mentioned above there are those annoyances and irritations that you encounter in your daily lives which go on to become biggest sources of stress for you. Problems in commuting to workplace, balance of work and family life, PTMs at children s schools, workload, visit to doctor, not enough sleep, no time to relax, no time to discuss some nagging problems who is not aware of these stresses and strains of our lives? You fight with them every day. pl. traumas or traumata (-m -t ) 1. A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident. 2. An emotional wound or shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person, often leading to neurosis. 3. An event or situation that causes great distress and disruption.

Learn to manage your job stress

There are a variety of steps you can take to reduce your overall personal stress levels and the stresses from your job and workplace. These can include
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Taking responsibility for improving your physical and emotional well-being, why not attend a stress management workshop or seminar if you have the opportunity (or follow some of the tips on this post). Avoiding pitfalls by identifying negative attitudes and reactions that add to the stress you experience at work or with work colleagues. Learn better communication skills and improve your relationships with management and coworkers. Take a moment to think before responding if you are feeling highly stressed, sometimes harsh words are spoken in haste which can damage colleague relationships, sometimes for good.

Strategies for coping with Stress y y y y y y y 1. Remember that although your feelings of stress and symptoms are very frightening, they are not dangerous or harmful. 2. Understand that what you are experiencing is just an exaggeration of your normal bodily reactions to stress. 3. Do not fight your feelings or try to wish them away. The more you are willing to face them, the less intense they will become. 4. Do not add to your panic by thinking about what "might" happen. If you find yourself asking "What if?" tell yourself "So what!" 5. Stay in the present. Notice what is really happening to you as opposed to what you think might happen. 6. Label your stress level from zero to ten and watch it go up and down. Notice that it does not stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds. 7. When you find yourself thinking about the fear, change your "what if" thinking. Focus on and carry out a simple and manageable task such as counting backwards from 100 by 3's or snapping a rubber band on your wrist. 8. Notice that when you stop adding frightening thoughts to your fear, it begins to fade. 9. When the fear comes, expect and accept it. Wait and give it time to pass without running away from it. 10. Be proud of yourself for your progress thus far, and think about how good you will feel when you succeed this time.

y y y

CONFLICT -

discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism oropposition, as of inte rests or principles: a conflict of ideas.

Structural Sources of Conflict 1. Differentiation = the more subunits the more potential for differences in goals, methods, backgrounds, etc. 2. Interdependence = creates opportunities for blocking & interference 3.Low formalization (???)= a lack of regulatory mechanisms may lead to more politics/coercion ( some believe more rules Increases conflict)

4. Competition over resources = 2 or more subunits compete for a share of limited resources( labor strikes; between depts.) 5. Differences in Reward Systems = if rewards are based
on individual unit performance can lead to conflict

6. Power Incongruence = differences in power can lead to conflict (Eg. Coach tells A.D. what to do ) 7. Communication Problems = lack of clear & adequate communication (Eg. Cessation of communication; withholding information) 8. Participative Decision Making = opening up issues to debate can Increase / continue conflict due to reinforced differences (Does alienation reduction potential outweigh conflict potential?) 9. Role Conflict = role responsibilities suddenly change; or if
different expectations are placed on people (eg. Something viewed as demotion; sometimes promotions; academic advisor example)

Stimulating Conflict 1.Introduce new blood = new ideas; challenge existing methods 2. Manipulating Communications = eg. Ambiguous/threatening information ( rumored cut or layoffs) can reduce complacency & improve overall health of the organization being left out of the loop

may signal you are not important 3. Creating Competition = eg. Creating competitions between players on team. Who sells the most in retail.Usually everyone gains. Danger = if no net gain or if there is duplication of effort if same company employees compete for the large contract. PONDY's 5 Stage Model of Conflict Stage 1: Latent = conditions which provide potential for conflict A. Competition for scarce resources B. Drive for autonomy C. Differing goals of subunits (eg. Athletics vs. Recreation) Stage 2 : Perceived Conflict = 1 or more parties becomes aware of conflict potential Stage 3: Conflict is felt = eg. Anger, frustration, hostility Stage 4: Conflict is manifested = exhibition of adversarial behavior ( apathy; rigid rules adherence; violence) Stage 5 : Conflict aftermath = conflict resolution/ basis for future conflict