Stress: The Good, the Bad, and…"The Managed"-View Presentation Slides

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The presentation by Dr. April Malia Hirschberg, titled "Stress: the Good, the Bad…and 'the Managed," discusses the complexities of stress and strategies for effective stress management. Stress, identified by the World Health Organization as a major health concern, impacts many Americans, contributing to various health issues like headaches, anxiety, and depression. Stress can be acute or chronic, with perception playing a crucial role in its intensity. The document highlights concepts such as eustress (beneficial stress) and distress (harmful stress), and explores the theory of allostasis, which is the body's process of achieving stability through change.<br /><br />The presentation suggests various tools for stress management, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches. The Relaxation Response and different breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic and resonance breathing, help mitigate stress. Mindfulness-based strategies like yoga, mindful meditation, and body scans also promote relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.<br /><br />Dr. Hirschberg underscores the therapeutic potential of cognitive-based strategies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which can be effective for treating depression and anxiety. Creative arts, humor, and spending time in nature are also encouraged for reducing stress and enhancing well-being.<br /><br />The presentation concludes with recommendations for maintaining mental health, such as engaging in regular physical activity, proper nutrition, forming social connections, and adopting a balanced perspective on stress.<br /><br />Resources provided include online links to mindfulness and stress reduction programs, emphasizing the broader community approach to stress management. Books and apps suitable for learning about relaxation and stress management techniques are also recommended.

Keywords

stress management

eustress

distress

allostasis

Relaxation Response

mindfulness

cognitive therapy

mental health

breathing techniques

stress reduction