Stress Management for Educators Essay

Assigned Reading II (20%)

1. (20%)

Briefly explain the following concepts with an example each:

i. Fight-or-flight response

Fight-or-flight response refers to the dynamics that encompass the physiological arousal of the body to survive a threat. In preparation for a threat, there are two immediate actions that one can take: either attack or fight for defense from the threat or opt to run and flee away from the threat. For example, when a person encounters a barking dog while running, the fight-or-flight response runs away or faces the dog (Seaward, 2015).

ii. Holistic medicine

Holistic medicine alludes to an approach of healing that honors the assimilation, counterbalance, and synchronization of mind, body, spirit, and emotions for encouraging internal peace. It is an attitudinal method to healthcare instead of a certain set of techniques (Gordon, 1982). Examples of holistic medicine comprise homeopathy, acupuncture, and also massage therapy.

iii. Stress reaction

The stress reaction is the initial reaction that the body has when it perceives a threat (Seaward, 2015).

iv. Freeze response

When human beings are faced with a traumatic threat or danger, if it is not possible to fight or escape, the human bodies opt for a third alternative, which is to freeze. Usually, in this particular state, the victim that is facing trauma gets into a different reality. For the most part, time slows down, and there is no experience of fear or pain. Imperatively, if the victim experiences any harm or even death, they do not feel intense pain. Moreover, freeze response heightens the probability of surviving if the attacker has the perception that the victim is dead (Seaward, 2015).

v. Homeostasis

Homeostasis alludes to the physiological state of total calmness or rest. Some of the features of homeostasis comprise resting heartbeat rate, blood pressure level, and ventilation. A fitting example of homeostasis is the internal body temperature of human beings. For example, when a person begins to shiver because of cold weather or temperature or sweating during extremely sunny times, it is the human body attempting to maintain homeostasis (Seaward, 2015).

vi. Co-rumination

Co-rumination alludes to lengthily deliberating and reexamining problems, wondering about issues, and concentrating on undesirable feelings with peers. Even though it is comparable to self-disclosure in that it encompasses divulging and debating a problem, it is more fixated on the problems themselves and, as a consequence, can be maladaptive (Folkman, 2010).

vii. Technostress

According to Seaward (2015), technostress refers to coping or failure to cope with technology's fast-paced aspect. The massive advancement in the telecommunications industry, giving forth to the information age, has resulted in an immediate change in lifestyle in society. Technostress is linked to this and is associated with the feeling of being overwhelmed and lacking the capacity with the rapid technology.

viii. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is categorized as a mental health disorder caused by witnessing a terrifying event, resulting in physical and emotional responses such as hallucinations, flashbacks, and serious anxiety. For example, a person can experience PTSD after going through a traumatic instance such as sexual assault or an instance of warfare such as shooting (Yehuda, 2002).

ix. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

The seasonal affective disorder is a mixture of biological and mood instabilities and conflict with a seasonal pattern, characteristically taking place during the winter and autumn with a reduction during the summer or spring seasons (Kurlansik and Ibay, 2012). For example, persons with seasonal affective disorder experience depression just about every day during the winter and decline during the sunny day, such as summer and spring (Seaward, 2015).

x. Ecotherapy

Ecotherapy refers to an approach that depends on the notion that persons have a profound connection and association to their environment and the earth. In this point of view, failure to cultivate this connection can hurt an individual's wellbeing, particularly mental wellbeing (Jordan and Hinds, 2016).

2. (10%)

(a). Distinguish between stress and stressors

Stress is defined as the human body's reaction to a traumatic event or emotional and physical tension. It is the body's response to a specific demanding or challenging situation. On the other hand, stressors are defined as circumstances or events within a person's surroundings that may instigate stress. In other words, stressors are a random and irrepressible set of circumstances that can change our response to day to day events (Seaward, 2015).

(b). Describe three main types of stress and two kinds of distress

There are three main types of stress:

1. Acute stress

Acute stress is also referred to as the fight or flight reaction. It is the human body's instantaneous response to a certain threat, tension, or scary situation. The reaction to acute stress is intense and instantaneous, and in particular situations, it can be thrilling to an individual. Some of the fitting examples of acute stress comprise getting into a job interview. It is imperative to note that one episode of acute stress does not usually result in healthy individuals' problems. Nonetheless, severe acute stress can be a determining factor in mental health illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Hiriyappa, 2013).

2. Episodic acute stress

Persons who regularly face acute stress or those with lives that present with regular triggers of stress or considered to have episodic acute stress. Imperatively, the persons who incessantly suffer from acute stress usually have lives filled with emergency and disorder. They consistently feel as though they are being pressured or being rushed. These individuals take on numerous responsibilities, and for the most part, are not able to remain organized due to time constraints. It is important to note that persons that present Type A personality or The Worrier are the ones that regularly face episodic acute stress.

The general signs of episodic acute stress are akin to those of acute stress. However, owing to the protracted exceeding arousal or protracted hyperarousal, there is bound to be suffering and detriment. These symptoms include emotional, cognitive, and physical distress and deterioration of interpersonal associations. Significantly, episodic acute stress results in more distinct and noticeable health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease (Hiriyappa, 2013).

3. Chronic stress

Chronic stress is considered to be the most detrimental kind of stress. When an individual suffers…

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…that, repeatedly breathe in and out.

This enables the person to calm nerves and reduce the heart rate. Meditation is an additional strategy for coping (Scott, 2020). Secondly, there are emotion-oriented coping strategies. By sustaining a sense of humor and nurturing a sense of optimism, it does not imply that the set of circumstances change, but the individual's perception changes. Notably, these approaches are ideal to employ in stressful circumstances where the individual has the minimal capability to control what takes place. Other approaches that can be employed in this regard include using a journal to write down emotions and capitalizing on visualization to heighten positivity (Scott, 2020).

5. (10%)

Describe the five distinct stages in the Behavior Modification Model identified by Seaward (2015). Discuss their implications for self (i.e., one per stage).

The behavior modification model can be classified as one that demonstrates the steps undertaken to alter a negative behavior into one that is positive. There are five distinct stages in the behavior modification model:

1. Awareness

In this phase, one realizes that one thinks or behaves in a particular manner that is unhealthy or less than appropriate. Notably, these behaviors are habits that bring about stress. Becoming aware can emanate from becoming educated in which the consciousness of an individual is increased regarding a particular behavior. Also, awareness can emanate when an individual acknowledges that their prevailing behaviors are not appropriate anymore. The implication of this stage for the self is that becoming aware of the inappropriate behavior implies that change can start (Seaward, 2015).

2. Desire to change

Numerous people acknowledge they undertake negative behavior. However, they are not motivated to alter it. Devoid of the yearning to change behavior, even when it becomes apparent how detrimental it might be, no change will occur. The implication for self is that this change determines whether a change will take place or not. For example, several people are aware that the consumption of high cholesterol foods is correlated with heart disease and that smoking cigarettes is correlated with cancer. However, such behaviors continue to prevail because the desire to change is less than the immediate yearning to continue practicing the behavior (Seaward, 2015).

3. Cognitive restructuring

In this phase of the model, one gets himself or herself while acting inappropriate behavior and contemplates a new and appropriate alternative. This is self-dialogue acknowledging both prevailing and imminent behavior, in addition to the option to change it in a favorable manner (Seaward, 2015).

4. Behavioral substitution

Within this phase of the model, there is a conscious replacement of unwanted and inappropriate behavior with appropriate behavior and reduces stress. More often than not, this substituting behavior process is contemplated upon or planned out through mental images before actions are undertaken. It is worth noting that not all of the changes undertaken are substitutions. Some of the changes can be additions to the range of the behaviors. One of the implications to the self is that when a new behavior is espoused, owing to the limitations in time, another thing within an individual's everyday schedule is affected and pushed away (Seaward, 2015).

5. Evaluation…