PSYC 110 Week 6 Managing Your Stress paper

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PSYC-110: Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Managing Your Stress

Stress and Its Impact

Stress is an inevitable part of life, affecting individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally. It arises as the body’s reaction to changes that require adjustments and responses. Stress can be triggered by numerous situations, such as preparing for exams, handling family conflicts, or managing daily work responsibilities. Even positive events, like planning a wedding or a retirement party, can induce stress. According to Feldman (2019), “For people to consider an event stressful, they must perceive it as threatening or challenging and must lack all the resources to deal with it effectively.”

Individuals respond to stress differently, with some engaging in positive coping strategies like seeking support from loved ones or therapists, while others resort to harmful behaviors such as alcohol abuse or violent outbursts. Personally, I rely on social support from family and close friends as my coping mechanism. Research shows that social support not only improves mental health but also benefits the immune and cardiovascular systems while reducing depression and anxiety. This approach aligns with a “problem-focused” strategy, which aims to directly address the root causes of stress through methods such as problem-solving and time management (McLeod, 2015).

Coping Mechanisms and General Adaptation Syndrome

Stress often follows a predictable pattern known as the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), characterized by alarm, resistance, and exhaustion phases (Feldman, 2019). Chronic stress can lead to various health issues, including mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Effective stress management involves activities such as exercising, practicing yoga, journaling, or maintaining a healthy diet. For example, during the challenging period of starting nursing school while managing a full-time job and living independently, I relied heavily on the support of those around me. This support helped me navigate the stress and continue pursuing my goal of becoming a registered nurse.

Social support plays a significant role in stress relief and is defined by psychologists as acts of care and validation that facilitate coping through information, assistance, or tangible resources (Scott, 2019). Knowing that others are there to provide support can significantly reduce the burden of stress and encourage resilience.

Positive and Negative Stress

Stress, when managed effectively, can serve as a motivator, keeping individuals alert and prepared for challenges. However, prolonged stress without adequate relief can be harmful, leading to an overworked body and triggering the “fight or flight” response. Recognizing the dual nature of stress and adopting proactive coping mechanisms are essential for maintaining overall well-being.

Table: Understanding Stress

Aspect of Stress	Details	Examples
Definition and Triggers	The body’s reaction to changes requiring adjustment or response.	Exams, family conflicts, work pressures, wedding planning, or retirement party organization.
Coping Mechanisms	Strategies to manage stress, either positively or negatively.	Positive: Seeking support, exercising, journaling. Negative: Alcohol abuse, violent outbursts.
Effects on Health and Behavior	Chronic stress can lead to physical, mental, and emotional health problems.	Anxiety, depression, immune system issues, or cardiovascular strain.

References

Feldman, R. (2019). Understanding Psychology. [Bookshelf Ambassadored]. Retrieved from https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781260883817/

McLeod, S. (2015). Stress Management. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-management.html