PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Stress
PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Stress
PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Stress
Chapter 6 – STRESS
Stress
It is a reaction of the body and mind to unkind or challenging life incidents such as tense feelings, worry
and discomfort.
The imbalance between the demand from the environment and the person’s ability to cope can trigger
feelings or anxiety.
2 Types of Stress
Eustress Distress
Stressor
Is an event or situation that causes stressful situations, which are seen as risks to the well-being of a
person.
Classification of Stress
1. Acute stress
The most common form, arises from recent, past and foreseen difficulties.
It occurs briefly and appears in bits of thrill.
2. Cumulative stress
Is a series of stress that has built up.
Several individuals ignore the signs early and end up accumulating them.
3. Chronic stress
Is a form of stress that is recurring.
It is a prolonged stress that is dangerous and can lead to severe health problems.
Once a person senses a stressor, his/her body goes through the following stages of General
Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), a theory developed by Austrian-Canadian Hans Selye.
Alarm Stage
Is the phase where the brain deciphers the distress and instantly deals with it.
This is also known as “fight or flight”.
Resistance Stage
Is the process where the stress is being resolved after meeting its demands then the body goes
back to normal afterward.
Exhaustion Stage
It develops when stress recurs until it becomes chronic and reaches this final stage
Stress level peaks and plateaus then develops health risk that cause high blood pressure,
stomach and heart problems.
1. Manage stressors
o An important approach to minimize stress is to lessen stressors.
2. Rest and sleep
o A very helpful way of reducing stress and relieving tension is having a good amount of rest and
sleep.
3. Exercise
o Exercising naturally relieves the body from the effects of stress
o An aerobic workout stimulates hormones, wears down tight muscles, and given a nicely tired but
stress-free condition.
4. Use relaxation methods in coping with stress
o Numerous types of relaxation methods can be done to counter the adverse effects of stress.
a. Progressive Relaxation Uses body’s feedback mechanism in reducing muscle
tension, a common indicator of stress.
b. Deep Breathing It tells the brain to calm down and relax, relieving the stress.
c. Meditation It is a technique that temporarily “tunes out” the world,
disregards outside disturbances, and provides inner
peace.
d. Visualization Uses imagination to relax and reduce stress.
Coping
Coping Styles
1. Adaptive coping
It involves direct confrontation and prevention of stress.
2. Maladaptive coping
It is a counterproductive mechanism that includes the use of alcohol and drugs.
3. Instrumental coping
Focuses on approaches that tackle the problem to reduce stress of a particular situation.
4. Emotion-focused coping
Deals with nurturing the emotional health through the stressful period.
Classification of Coping
Coping Strategies
1. Time management requires planning a schedule ahead and sticking with it. This helps in avoiding
cramming and things pilling up.
2. Sharing and taking about problems with someone – a friend, teacher or family member – to relieve
stress.
3. Using adrenaline – raised energy for simple tasks like cleaning the house or the car redirects how the
body reacts from stress.
4. Being at ease lying or sitting down while emptying the mind with upsetting ideas, listening to gentle
music or imagining being in a quiet place can relieve stress.
5. Having a good laugh with friends or family, watching different movies or going to funny places after a
stressful day.
Here are some specific coping strategies that you can adopt:
Humor
Look at the funny side of a problem. “Positive reframing” is believed to relief small flops.
Seek support
In the course of a stressful event, support from family members or friends keep emotional health
balance.
Problem-solving
It is a helpful mechanism that aims to pinpoint the source of the problem and determine solutions. This
is often helpful in work condition.
Relaxation
Unwinding events or calming skills help manage stress and enhance overall coping.
Physical recreation
Regular exercises like yoga, meditaton and muscle relaxation are helpful in handling stress.
Adjusting expectations
Accepting different results of situations in life may help in adjusting the stress associated with any
given change or outcome.
Venting
An expressing-type of coping technique by voicing out strong sentiments with friends or family.
Moderate venting can be beneficial but pondering the negative may end up to edgy relations over
time.