Informative Speech Outline On Stress

For examples, a death of a loved one, abuse, health problems, and financial crises. The types of stress are Acute, Episodic Acute, and Chronic stress. Acute stress is a common kind of pressure. It is the body's immediate reaction to a new stimulus, triggering a person’s fight-or-flight response.

This assignment will explore the concept of stress by firstly distinguishing between the definitions set out by Selye 919560 and Cox (1976). Following this assignment will critically evaluate the General Adaption Syndrome, SRRS and Daily Hassles explanations of stress and finally, conclude with a discussion on individual differences based on Friedman and Rosenman’s research.

Kelly McGonigal discusses the importance of viewing stress as positive, as opposed to negative, by detailing three specific studies and findings about stress. In the first study, it was discovered that people with a significant amount of stress had a higher mortality rate; however, this was only statistically significant if the subject viewed stress as harmful. If the overly-stressed subject didn’t view stress as harmful, they were actually at the lowest risk of dying, even compared to those with a minimal amount. Therefore, it is important to change a person’s perspective of stress. In particular, McGonigal emphasizes that stress is important for a person’s body: it energizes and prepares them to meet whatever challenge they are facing. Furthermore, it helps the blood vessels remain relaxed, thereby allowing the heart to remain healthy.

Our book describes stress as “any circumstances that threaten or are perceived to threaten one’s well-being and tax one’s coping ability” (Weiten, 2014). Stress is not necessarily a traumatic, life destroying event. It can be as simple a small change in one’s daily schedule. People will have multiple stresses throughout their lifetime. Some will be little and daily, but overtime these add up and can affect you in many ways. Stress can be positive or negative and can take many forms; a few being frustration, internal conflict, change, and pressure. All of which make almost a daily appearance in my life (Weiten, 2014).

Stress is a nonspecific response of the human organism to any demand make upon it. It can influence the way we perform on tests and homework and how we act at home or work. There are different types of stress that can occur in the body. Acute stress is the body’s response to imminent danger. This short-term stress usually occurs when we are told we will have a quiz or have to give a speech in class. Chronic stress is a prolonged physical or emotional stress. This can cause damage to the body if the stress lasts for too long. Optimal stress is intense enough to motivate and physically prepare us to perform well but not enough to cause harm to the body.

In the article,” Chronic stress can wreak havoc on the body” written by Nathan Seppa, he discusses the impact stress has on the body. Stress is a feature of our daily life. One stress in particular is chronic stress. Stated in the article, it states,” Chronic stress is the kind that comes from recurring pain, post-traumatic memories, unemployment, family tension, poverty, childhood abuse, caring for a sick spouse or just living in a sketchy neighborhood.” Chronic stress is around us constantly. According to the article, it states,” Nonstop, low-grade stress contributes directly to physical deterioration, adding to the risk of heart attack, stroke, infection and asthma. Even recovery from cancer becomes harder.” People do not realize that stress

There are four different kinds of stress warnings; Cognitive, Emotional, Physical, and Behavioral symptoms. These all range from moodiness, depression, worrying, aches/pains, and nervous habits. This can all be caused by other medical problems too so make sure you go get checked to find out what’s causing it fully. People can deal with stress like its apart of their life and some can’t deal at all. The way certain people handle stress can depend on your outlook on life or the decisions you make. Mostly if you have a lot to do or a lot of responsibly, your body has its emergency stress response on most of the time. Long term stress leads to depression over anything though.

Stress is a natural way for a person to quickly react to an alarming situation. When the brain perceives a threat, it tells the body to react by releasing hormones, pushing it into overdrive until the threat has gone (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Everyday stress in life, or acute stress, is the most common and has no long-term damaging side effects (Miller & Smith, 1994). Episodic acute stress is found in those who suffer from acute stress frequently (Miller & Smith, 1994). This type of stress is linked to personality types, ceaseless worriers or people who are very controlling are easily pushed into episodic acute stress cycles. The symptoms of episodic acute stress are persistent tension headaches, migraines, hypertension, chest pain and heart disease. Chronic stress comes

Selye, H. (1975). Confusion and Controversy in the Stress Field. Journal of Human Stress, 1(2), 37-44. doi:10.1080/0097840x.1975.9940406

With all the benefits from stress it is hard to find a downside to stress, but there is one. Chronic stress that lasts for weeks and months can cause serious health risks. Acute stress that lasts for hours provides the boost in traits that many people thrive off of. Acute stress has been classified as eustress for its beneficial qualities. Eustress can also help you enter a state of “flow,” a heightened sense of awareness and complete absorption into an activity, according to research from psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

According to ULifeline, “stress is a burst of energy that basically advises you on what to do. In small doses, stress has many advantages. For instance, stress can help you meet daily challenges and motivates you to reach your goals. In fact, stress can help you accomplish tasks more efficiently. It can even boost memory… [And] help to fortify the immune system.”

Stress is a quantity that every human is afforded. It is how the body and mind interact in response to a stressor. Each stressor whether in the form of a major life experiences, traumatic events, work, school, and even exercise can be stressful. Stress of any amount makes an impact on a persons’ health and behaviors. Therefore, it is important to take notice of how you manage stressful events in your life however great or small an effect. Though everyone experiences stress in one way or another, no two people cope with stress in the same manner. Some individuals are more effective and recover from demanding situations quicker than others do. Consequently, the quality of health is contingent upon the type of stress and duration of

Even though stress is normal, it can have negative effects on your body. The American Psychological Association reveals, “Acute stress — stress that is momentary or short-term such as meeting deadlines, being stuck in traffic or suddenly slamming on the brakes to

“Stress is a silent disease” (Doctor Hobel). Over the years, stress has played a major rule in a large majority of people’s lives throughout the United States. When thought about, it is said to be extremely surprising as to how many people really have stress in each individual’s life. People do not consider what the reasons are for the feelings and emotions they experience. There are all different types of stress, and stress can do a lot to a person. Each person also handles stress in a different way. Some can handle more than others, because every single person’s body works in a different way. Stress has also been told to cause people to act out of character (Dr. David Posen). They often do not act the way they usually would while under

1. This is much more dangerous and serious. Some acute stresses stem from traumatic, early childhood experiences that become internalized and remain forever painful and present. This type of stress can cause “wear and tear on your mind and body. Many scientists think that our stress response system was not designed to be constantly activated…” (Acute vs. Chronic Stress,1)