Unit 1: Design and present information on the Physiology of Stress

1. (a) Give an appropriate definition of stress

[pic]

Ever since the word stress was introduced to the English language in the 1930’s many different definitions of it have been presented. The Health and Safety Executive define stress as “the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed upon them”. This makes an important distinction between pressure which can be a positive motivating force if managed correctly and stress which can lead to ill-health.

The Health and Safety Executive says there is a convincing link between stress and ill health.

The Samaritans give the following definition – ‘People use the term stress to describe the feeling they have when it all seems too much, when they are overloaded and don’t feel that they are able to meet all the demands placed upon them.

As I have said pressure itself is not bad. In fact, many thrive on it. When those pressures exceed a person’s ability to cope, then that is when the problems start. It follows, therefore, that we can tackle stress either by reducing pressures or by increasing coping resources – or a combination of the two.

[pic]

The graph above shows there is an optimum point – where you have enough pressure to perform, but not so much that you get overloaded. Everyone’s optimum point is different and learning where yours lies can be important.

1. (b) Explain the fight/flight response

[pic]

Flight or fight is the nervous system priming our bodies to fight or flee.
Let's look at this example: You are walking your daughter down the street in her pram when all of a sudden a pit bull hops the fence and starts chasing you. What are you going to do? Are you going to stay and fight, or are you going to run away? This is known as the 'Fight or Flight' response.
Your