TEAM B Topic Reference

Lesson 2: Taking Charge of one's Health
Discussion: Taking Charge of one's Health

I. Stressors and Responses
▪ Stress
o It is defined as a mental and physical condition that people encounter when they have to adjust or adapt to
environmental events.
o It accompanied by some kind of physiological reaction that is triggered by the autonomic nervous system
(ANS).
o Two Types of Stress:
● Short-term Stress
⮚ Eustress is a type of short-term stress that challenges and motivates individuals to perform at their
best.
⮚ It is usually present in fun competitions and work-out physical activities
● Long-term Stress
⮚ It pertains to stress that impact strongly on people's physical and mental health and their well-being.
▪ Stressor
o It pertains to events, people and even objects that give stress to a person.
o It is condition in the environment that is perceived by the person as a threat.
o One or more of the following criteria will be identified as stressor:

● Unpredictability of the Event
⮚ A stressor occurred without prior warning or a person might not be prepared
⮚ Example: Natural disasters, fire or sudden death of a loved one.
● The event is intense and may happen again.
⮚ Events that are possible to recur and might give a person a level of threat.
⮚ Example: Theft, physical assault, bullying
● Uncontrollable.
⮚ Lack of control over events makes things more frightening.
⮚ Example: Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and storm surges.
● Linked to pressure.
⮚ A person knew that possible threat could happen and needs to be prepared to lessen the impact.
⮚ Example: Illnesses, unemployment or violence

o Two things that happen to people when they faced threats or potentially harmful events (Richard
Lazarus, 1991):
● Primary Appraisal
⮚ Analyzing if certain event/situation may or may not affect a person. If not, then it is not considered as
a stressor.
● Secondary Appraisal
⮚ Coming up with an assessment of resources to come up with the best possible way to handle and
face the stressor.
o Signs of Stress
1. Emotional Signs
● Anxiety- always tense and frightened
● Apathy- no response to situations that normally involves some emotional reaction.
● Irritability -quick to anger and rapid mood changes
● Mental Fatigue - inability to plan and difficulty in being creative.
2. Behavioral Signs
● Avoidance of Responsibilities and Relationships- procrastinates a lot, attributes blame to others
and cannot maintain relationships.
● Self-Destructive Behavior- engages in high risk emotional release like gambling, smoking, drugs
and alcohol
● Self-Neglect- poor grooming and hygiene, stops doing activities that are usually enjoyed
● Poor Judgment - difficulty in making decisions or coming up with intelligent, practical solutions.
3. Physical Signs
● Excessive Worrying - unnecessary concern about things that are irrelevant or trivial
● Frequent Illness - poor health habits and unhealthy lifestyle
● Exhaustion - decreased stamina and drive
● Overuse of Medicines - to relieve physical and psychological pain
● Physical Ailments and Complaints-physiological manifestations of prolonged stress
II. Sources of Coping and Strength

▪ Coping Mechanisms
o These pertains to techniques or strategies that individuals use to adapt life stresses.
▪ Coping strategy is dependent on three factors:
o Individual
● Different stressor gains different reaction from different people.
● The individual has the control on how to react on different stressors.

o Type of Stress
● Stress appears in different form through family environment, school, work or relationship.
● Problem in one aspect can affect other aspects.

o Circumstances
● No matter how trivial a stressor maybe if it happens during the most vulnerable moment of one’s life, it
could ruin a person.
● Social support is needed in this moment.
▪ How to modify behavior towards stress? (Coon, 2001)

1. Slow down
o Slowing down means moving back and looking at the situation from an objective perspective especially
during instances when a person is facing not just one life challenge.
2. Organize and Prioritize
o An organized and clean environment in the home and at the workplace creates a promotion of productive
thoughts.
o Set priorities based on importance and deadlines.
3. Live a Healthy Life
o Focus on quality of goals instead of quantity and strike to have a balance and enough time with family
and self.
4. Recognize and Accept Limits.
o Any person cannot be great in all things, but can be best in one or two.
5. Seek Social Support
o Strong support especially with family can strengthen one’s ability to handle stressors.
6. Writing it down
o Expression of thoughts and feelings in writing offers a form of release to a person when someone is
hesitant to open up to anyone.

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Lesson 2: Taking Charge of one's Health

Discussion: Taking Charge of one's Health

o One or more of the following criteria will be identified as stressor:

⮚ A stressor occurred without prior warning or a person might not be prepared

⮚ Example: Natural disasters, fire or sudden death of a loved one.

● The event is intense and may happen again.

⮚ Example: Theft, physical assault, bullying

⮚ Lack of control over events makes things more frightening.

⮚ Example: Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and storm surges.

⮚ Example: Illnesses, unemployment or violence

● Apathy- no response to situations that normally involves some emotional reaction.

● Irritability -quick to anger and rapid mood changes

● Mental Fatigue - inability to plan and difficulty in being creative.

● Frequent Illness - poor health habits and unhealthy lifestyle

● Exhaustion - decreased stamina and drive

● Overuse of Medicines - to relieve physical and psychological pain

● Physical Ailments and Complaints-physiological manifestations of prolonged stress

II. Sources of Coping and Strength

● The individual has the control on how to react on different stressors.

● Problem in one aspect can affect other aspects.

▪ How to modify behavior towards stress? (Coon, 2001)

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