MODULE 11: Lesson 3
December 9
SHOUT OUT
TODAY'S MESSAGE
TODAY'S ASSIGNMENTS:
#1. Begin lesson 3 by reviewing the notes on Stress.
#2. Complete the Stress practice quiz.
#3. Complete the Stress assignment. In this forum assignment you will analyze if teens are under too much stress.
TEACHER TALK 1
The last lesson of this module deals with stress. Stress is a biological and psychological response experienced on encountering a threat that we feel we do not have the resources to deal with.
A stressor is the stimulus (or threat) that causes stress, e.g. exam, divorce, death of loved one, moving house, loss of job.
Sudden and severe stress generally produces:
- Increase in heart rate
- Increase in breathing (lungs dilate)
- Decrease in digestive activity (don’t feel hungry)
- Liver released glucose for energy
First, our body judges a situation and decides whether or not it is stressful. This decision is made based on sensory input and processing (i.e. the things we see and hear in the situation) and also on stored memories (i.e. what happened the last time we were in a similar situation). If the situation is judged as being stressful, the hypothalamus (at the base of the brain) is activated. The hypothalamus in the brain is in charge of the stress response. When a stress response is triggered, it sends signals to two other structures: the pituitary gland, and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex releases stress hormones called cortisol. This have a number of functions including releasing stored glucose from the liver (for energy) and controlling swelling after injury. The immune system is suppressed while this happens.
The hypothalamus also activates the adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system, maintaining homeostasis in the body. These activities are generally performed without conscious control.
The adrenal medulla secretes the hormone adrenaline. This hormone gets the body ready for a fight or flight response. Physiological reaction includes increased heart rate.
Adrenaline lead to the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and reduced activity in the parasympathetic nervous system. Adrenaline creates changes in the body such as decreases (in digestion) and increases (sweating, increased pulse and blood pressure).
Once the ‘threat’ is over the parasympathetic branch takes control and brings the body back into a balanced state.
TEACHER TALK 2
Stress, simply put, is a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our physical or mental equilibrium. A stressful event can trigger the “fight-or-flight” response, causing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to surge through the body. A little bit of stress, known as “acute stress,” can be exciting—it keeps us active and alert. But long-term, or “chronic stress,” can have detrimental effects on health. (http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/stress)
Chronic stress increases the risk of developing health problems including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and a weakened immune system. Chronic stress also affects a person’s mental health. Many studies show a correlation between stress and the development of mood disorders such as anxiety disorders and depression. (http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/02/25/how-stress-affects-mental-health/)
According to the American Psychological Association’s latest stress survey, 66 percent of people regularly experience physical symptoms of stress, and 63 percent experience psychological symptoms.
Prolonged stress can take an emotional and physical toll on the human body. Stress has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression. There is also speculation that stress can inadvertently cause cancer. Click on the link below to read an interesting article from PsychCentral about the possible link between the two.
http://psychcentral.com/lib/stress-a-cause-of-cancer/
Read this Psychology Today article. The article lists tips from experts on how to de-stress. TRY some of them!!! They are worth the time it takes to do them and will hopefully help you manage your end of semester stress.
Try It:
Another awesome relaxation option is calm.com. You have the ability to make your own personalized relaxation experience. It’s pretty cool! See below to try it.
CONTACT ME
E-mail: christopher.watson@ncpublicschools.gov
Text anytime between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
NCVPS Psychology
CITATIONS
Today's Assignments (Book Icon Orange, David Peters, Wikpedia Education Program Case Studies.pdf, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
Teacher Talk (Red Silhouette - Teacher, Ben from Openclipart, Openclipart, Creative Commons CCO 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license)
Shout Out (callout-quote-bull-speaking-bubble, Pixabay, Pixabay, CCO Public Domain license)
Important Dates This Week (Blank Calendar Page Icon, Jackaranga, Jackaranga, GNU Free Documentation License)
Contact Me (Smart phone mobile phone, Pixabay, Pizabay, CCO Public Domain)