Slides Adapted from Hawkins, C. (2011). What is Stress?
HLT 215, TNCC
› Make a list of 10-15 current
stressors in your life
› Rank your top 5 stressors
› demand on the adaptive capacities of body
› any event or situation which is perceived by the
individual as a threat and results in the individual
either adapting or initiating the stress response
Stressor = stimulus (cause)
Stress = response (effect)
› Positive, desirable stress
› Keeps life interesting
› Motivates or inspires
› Examples . . .
› Negative effects of stress that drain us of energy
and suppress our ability to cope
› Examples . . .
Unique to the individual
We need some stress in our lives
Finding the ‘happy medium”
Too little stress
Too much stress
Image retrieved from www.intmath.com/.../HTML/probdist4_normal__2.png
Indicate if the stressors on
your list are positive or
You may do so by writing
a + or – next to each
When is stress problematic?
“Too much or too little is a bad thing.”
We could add “for too long” also.
Think about a sunburn!
Refer back to your list of current
stressors and determine the
duration of each stressor you
Write acute or chronic next to
Being sound in body,
mind, and spirit.
Not merely the
absence of disease
or infirmity, but a
state of complete
and social wellbeing.
A deliberate lifestyle
and spiritual health.
Good physical fitness and confidence
in one’s personal ability to take care of
Psychological health refers to both
our emotional and mental states –
that is, to our feelings and our
Psychological health refers mental
health – ability to think and learn
from experiences, learn new
information, ability to assess new
The ability to identify one’s basic
purpose in life and to achieve one’s
full potential; the sense of
connectedness to a greater power.
The ability to interact effectively
with other people and the social
environment, to develop satisfying
interpersonal relationships, and to
fulfill social roles.
Satisfaction from ones occupation.
Both internal and external rewards
Eliminate the stressor
Change your thinking
Manage the stress
Oplin, M. & Hesson, M. (2013). Activities manual for stress management
for life. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Oplin, M. & Hesson, M. (2013). Stress management for life: A researchbased experiential approach. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Seaward, B.L. (2006). Managing stress: principles and strategies for
health and well-being. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Websites and Images
Images courtesy of Microsoft Office clip art
Dimensions of Health Wellness Wheel Image from: