Stress

Stress

Stress ~ the experience of a lack of fit between a person and thier environment. ( the percieved demands of a situation are greater than the person's percieved ability to cope.)

Stressors

Stressors ~ any event that causes a stress reaction in the body

Sympathomedullary pathway

Immediate stressors arouse the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS). The ANS is divided into two brances these are:

The Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) - this arouses the body to be ready for FIGHT or FLIGHT.

The Parasympathetic - this returns the body to a state of relaxation.

SNS activation on the body

• Increased pupil size
• increase in heart rate and blood pressure
• digestion decreased
• muscles tense
• breathin rate increases
• perspiration increases

Autonomic nervous system - its called autonomic as it runs itself

Fight or Flight - means that the body is energised to either fight or run away, gerenal state of readiness.