Stress Management & Self-Care - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Stress Management & Self-Care

Taylor 

Panczer

, MPH, CHES

®

she/her/hers

Program Coordinator | Prevention & Wellness

Campus Activities | 109 Overman Student CenterPittsburg State University

Perceived Stress ScaleThe Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a classic stress assessment instrument. This tool helps us understand how different situations affect our feelings and our perceived stress. The questions in this scale ask about your feelings and thoughts during the last month. In each case, you will be asked to indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way. Although some of the questions are similar, there are differences between them and you should treat each one as a separate question. The best approach is to answer quickly. That is, don't try to count up the number of times you felt a particular way; rather indicate the alternative that seems like a reasonable estimate.

Please rate each statement (scale is in the notes)

____ 1. In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?_____ 2. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?_____ 3. In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and stressed?_____ 4. In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?_____ 5. In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way?

_____ 6. In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?_____ 7. In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life?_____ 8. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things?

_____ 9. In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that happened that were outside of your control?_____ 10. In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?

Figuring your PSS score:You can determine your PSS score by following these directions:

First, reverse your scores for questions 4, 5, 7, & 8. On these 4 questions, change the scores like this: 0 = 4, 1 = 3, 2 = 2, 3 = 1, 4 = 0.Now add up your scores for each item to get a total. My total score is ______.Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.Scores ranging from 0-13 would be considered low stress.Scores ranging from 14-26 would be considered moderate stress.

Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress.The Perceived Stress Scale is interesting and important because your perception of what is happening in your life is most important. Consider the idea that two students, John and Dan, could have the exact same events and experiences in their lives for the past month. Depending on their perception, John's total score could put him in the low stress category and Dan's total score could put him in the high stress category. Consider the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”

Activity DebriefHow did that activity make you feel?Where you surprised by your score? Why or why not?

StressWhat is Stress?Stress

 is your body's way of responding to any kind of pressure or demand.Is stress bad? No, not all stress is bad. It depends on the situation and how it is handled

Good vs. BadWhat is Eustress?Eustress is "good" stress. It is stress that arises from the demand of pleasant or fun activities

Examples: vacation, weddings, promotions, running, etc. What is Distress?Distress is “bad” stress. It is stress we experience in regard to “negative” demands to which we must adapt. It is when we experience stress for too much of the time. Ex: cramming for finals, too heavy of a workload, troubled relationships, etc.

Causes of Negative Stress or DistressEnvironmentalNoiseAir pollution Social

Over-crowding or populationInterpersonalBehavior of othersPersonalThoughtsFeelingsEmotions

Physical

Illness

Injury

*Important

Stressors can be:

Obvious

Hidden

Response to High Levels of StressIncreased cortisol levels: Interfere with learning and memory Lower immune functionIncrease weight gainHigher blood pressure

Higher cholesterolHeart disease and/or strokeEtc.

Coping with StressNegative methods:Using these methods to cope only adds more stress to the body. Ex: alcohol, smoking, using drugs, overeating, and caffeine. Positive coping methods:Ex: exercise, meditation, yoga, positive attitudes, time management, taking breaks. 

Self-CareWhat is self-care? The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own healthIt is a routine, a life-style

Good Self - Care:Regular sleepExercise RelaxationEating well (MyPlate)

Too Stressed to De-Stress?Prioritizing Self-CareSet a goalMake a Plan

Write it downGet supportReward actions, not results!Turn bad days into good data

Progressive Muscle RelaxationShort Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Extended Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Why progressive muscle relaxation?It is about being completely aware of what’s happening in the present—of all that’s going on inside and all that’s happening around youLowers your cortisol levels

Helps return your body back to “normal”

Online ResourcesPhone Apps: Breath2Relax-

 instructions and exercises in diaphragmatic breathing, a documented stress-management skill. Includes detailed information on the effects of stress on the body.Happify- A brain-training app based on research showing that some types of activity can help you combat negativity, anxiety and stress while fostering positive traits like gratitude and empathy.Personal Zen- Developed with a professor of psychology and neurosciences, a series of games based on clinical findings about methods for reducing anxiety levels.

QuestionsIf you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

Taylor Panczer, MPH, CHES®she/her/hers (What’s This?)Contact Information: tpanczer@pittstate.eduVirtual Office Hour: Mondays at 10:00-11:00am. Link is on Gorilla Engage. Need to schedule a meeting? Sign up here: https://tpanczer.youcanbook.me