Stress Management

Prof. Renu Vij

Definitions of Stress

Definitions of stress are often based on various disciplines of study (e.g., psychology, physiology, sociology, anthropology, theology, etc.) Consequently there are many different definitions of stress (e.g., loss of emotional control, wear and tear on the body, an inability to cope, an absence of inner peace)

Richard Lazarus View of Stress

Stress is a state of anxiety produced when events and responsibilities exceed ones coping abilities.

Hans Selyes View of Stress

Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand placed upon it to adapt, whether that demand produces pleasure or pain.

A Holistic Medicine View of Stress

Stress is the inability to cope with a perceived or real (or imagined) threat to ones mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, which results in a series of physiological responses and adaptations.

WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is your mind and bodys response or reaction to a real or imagined threat, event or change. The threat, event or change are commonly called stressors. Stressors can be internal (thoughts, beliefs, attitudes or external (loss, tragedy, change).

LEVELS OF STRESS

EUSTRESS
Eustress or positive stress occurs when your level of stress is high enough to motivate you to move into action to get things accomplished.

DISTRESS
Distress or negative stress occurs when your level of stress is either too high or too low and your body and/or mind begin to respond negatively to the stressors.

STAGES OF STRESS

ALARM STAGE
As you begin to experience a stressful event or perceive something to be stressful psychological changes occur in your body. This experience or perception disrupts your bodys normal balance and immediately your body begins to respond to the stressor(s) as effectively as possible.

EXAMPLES

Cardiac - increased heart rate Respiratory - increased respiration Skin - decreased temperature Hormonal - increased stimulation of adrenal genes which produce an adrenal rush.

RESISTANCE STAGE
During this stage your body tries to cope or adapt to the stressors by beginning a process of repairing any damage the stressor has caused. Your friends, family or co-workers may notice changes in you before you do so it is important to examine their feedback to make sure you do not reach overload.

EXAMPLES

Behavior indicators include: lack of enthusiasm for family, school, work or life in general, withdrawal, change in eating habits, insomnia, hypersomnia, anger, fatigue. Cognitive Indicators include: poor problem solving, confusion, nightmares, hypervigilance.

RESISTANCE STAGE MORE EXAMPLES

Emotional indicators include: tearfulness fear anxiety panic guilt agitation depression overwhelmed.

EXHAUSTION STAGE
During this stage the stressor is not being managed effectively and the body and mind are not able to repair the damage.

EXAMPLES
Digestive disorders, withdrawal, headaches, tension, insomnia, loss of temper.

Three Types of Stress

1.

2.

3.

Eustress: good stress (e.g., falling in love) Neustress: neutral stress (e.g., earthquake in remote corner of world) Distress: bad stress (e.g., death of a close friend); acute stress (high intensity, short duration); chronic stress* (low intensity, prolonged time)

* Seems to cause the most problems with disease and illness

Three Types of Stressors

1. Bio-ecological Influences (e.g., solar flares, SAD, ELFs, GMOs) 2. Psychointrapersonal Influences (e.g., relationships, self-esteem, ego, etc.) 3. Social Influences (e.g., urban sprawl, traffic, politics, etc.)

Stress in a Changing World

Technostress College Stress Occupational Stress Seniors: The Stress of Aging

Stress in a Changing World

(continued)
Technostress Poor boundaries Privacy issues Ethical issues Compromised family time Computer dating? Outdated software

Stress in a Changing World

(continued)
College Stress Living conditions (roommate from hell) Professional pursuits Academic deadlines Financial problems (loans) Lifestyle behaviors Sexuality/intimacy issues

Stress in a Changing World

(continued)
Occupational Stress Commuting/traffic Working conditions (The boss from hell) Clients/customers from hell Lack of good benefits Lack of employer loyalty Job security issues

Stress in a Changing World

(continued)
Stress and the Retired Population Financial security issues Social support issues Health issues Medicare, Social Security issues Raising grandkids

Effects of work stress

Psychological affect (depression) & cognition (cognitive failures) Physical minor symptoms, CHD, immune suppression Behavioral substance use, lifestyle factors, family factors Organizational absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, job performance, safety, interpersonal relations

Sources

TRADITIONAL (NIOSH) Work Load and Pace Role Stressors Career Issues Work Scheduling Interpersonal Job Content Control Work-Family Balance

NEW (HANDBOOK) Cyber-stressors Terrorism Change Workplace Violence Leadership Industrial Relations Disasters

VERBAL & NON-VERBAL BEHAVIOR

DETECTING DECEPTION

NON-VERBAL BEHAVIOR

Eyes-their importance
90% of facial information come from eye expressions Eye contact can indicate truthfulness or deception San Paku Excessive eye blinking indicates stress

EYES

Eye movement
Eye movement to the left indicates an introverts personality Eye movement to the right indicates an extroverts personality Not as effective with women as men

EYES

Eye behaviors that are indicators of deception.

Excessive eye shifting Prolonged eye contact Staring at interviewer MSU

GUILTY EYES

Ready to confess
Looks at ceiling for the first time. Starts blinking.

NOSE

The nose is the most stress sensitive part of the body. Touching, rubbing, picking, and holding the nose are indicators of stress and deception.

MOUTH

Inappropriate/excessive smiling is an indicator of deception. False smile is noted by only lower teeth showing. Any obstruction of speech-whether physical or symbolic indicates stress. Excessive gulping is a sign of stress

MOUTH

Yawning is a sign of stress or feigned boredom. Other behaviors indicating stress

Biting lips Squeezing lips Continuously licking lips Dry mouth resulting in a clacking sound when talking White foam in the corners of the mouth

FACE

Frozen Face-expression Facial coloring

White/chalky Red

Facial tics-spasms, good indicators of deception

HANDS

Hands on chin
Thumb under chin, forefinger stroking chin-deciding to confess Thumb under chin subject starts to smile

Hand over mouth indicator of deception Womens hands go to their neck and throat area indicator of stress. Hands away from body indicator of truthfulness. Hands inward to the body indicator of deception.

ARMS

Crossing of arms indicates defensiveness caused by fear of the situation or guilt ridden stress. Arms crossed over chest, fists clasped under arms indicates uncooperativeness.

ARMS

Arms crossed closely to the neck indicates greater defiance. Arms crossed and leaning into the interrogator indicates lessening chance of cooperation.

GENERAL APPEARANCES

Truthful person
Appears at ease Talkative Sincere Cooperative Answers questions directly Good eye contact Appears relaxed Lighthearted conversation

GENERAL APPEARANCES

Deceptive person
Apprehensive Worried appearance Continual sighing or yawning Aggressive toward interviewer Overfriendly Poor eye contact Evasive answering Excessive movement

POSTURE (SITTING)

Truthful
Sits upright Relaxed looking Changes positions Arms open uncrossed Legs open uncrossed Head and shoulders straight up Overall has casual appearance

POSTURE (SITTING)

Deceptive Person
Slouches in chair Stiff and rigid Faces to the side Moves frequently and rapidly Arms crossed upper body turned away from interrogator Head slump Fetal position

LIARS MOVEMENT

Trunk shifting means fear of interrogation. Moving chair away from interrogator. Attempting to exit.

LEGS

Leg(s) stretched far out Hands on inside of legs Crossing of legs

FEET-INDICATORS OF STRESS

Bouncing feet Kicking-anger Person moves interrogators chair Foot tapping Cross ankles under chair

PRE-CONFESSION POSES

Palms up First sigh Rounding or drooping of shoulders Chin dropping to chest Eyes slowly blinking while looking at ceiling

PRE-CONFESSION POSES

First crying (look for mucus) Holding or rubbing chin while smiling Leans into interrogators body space Overall look of submission

VERBAL BEHAVIOR

Verbal signals are the most productive. Pitch increase, cracking in the voice, increased flow and volume are indicators of stress. Stress occurs and rate, volume, or pitch may increase or decrease 95%.

The Nos which may indicate deception

The 5 second no No followed by body movement

Arms crossing Legs crossing Body shifting

The late no when others were timely No followed by closing of eyes

NOS

No given before the question is finished The Stevie Wonder NO Breathless No no sound Humming bird no No with a washed out look No with a hypnotic glance

NOS

Multiple Nos at stress points The Nixon no No followed by laughter

Anger/Aggression indicative of deception

Doesnt deny the crime, attacks the facts Blames the victim Anger at onset of interview Makes issues of false issues Truthful person doesnt start out angry

Speech indicators of deception

Sighs Laughs Tsks Whew Slurring of words Skips around sentences Stop sentences

Speech

Restarts sentences Leaves off ends of sentences Speech dysfunction 90% likelihood of lying Overly polite, cannot be insulted

Guilt signatures-beware who without prompting

Tells you about previous arrest Tells you about past similar trouble Speaks in third person about themselves 1st to 3rd States they are hated or disliked

Guilt Signatures

Vehemently denies minor issues Says interviewer is prejudiced and will never believe them

Pointer Responses

Statements made in response to hot issues which indicate deception That question bothers me That question makes me fell funny Obscene remarks uttered at relevant issue

Pointer Responses

Stands up at the time the relevant question is asked Stomach growls, burps, etc. Swinging of the arms with hands in a fist

Prompted Pointed Response

Ask subject if there was a particular area he was having a problem with and if wished to clarify it at this time.

Stalling tactics that are indicative of deception

Why?
Time to think Formulate the answer

Stalling tactics
Repeat the question Clears throat or coughs Answers the question with a question

Stalling Tactics

What type of person do you think I am

Road of Life Growing up

Are you accusing me Do you really think I did it Are you talking to me

Stalling Tactics

Why would I want to do something like that Did I do it Could you say that again Could you rephrase the question Questions entire investigation Ask you to hurry up

Religious Statements'
Deceptive persons are more likely to use them Honest to God A God fearing person like myself I swear to you on my----------grave (Fld nurse case)

Memory Lapses

When subject claims memory failure Deceptive memory phrases

Doesnt think so Cant recall Cant remember Not that I can think of or remember

Flag Expressions

You may not believe anything else I told you, but you have to believe this Really To tell the truth To the best of my knowledge I couldnt lie to you.

Flags

I swear to God Frankly---speaking May my Mother/father drop dead To be honest I have no reason to lie Use of Momma or the bible

Flags

What could happen to a person who did something like this Ill tell you what you want to know provided I knew this was going to happen Why would I want to do something like this

Qualifiers-phrases/sentences

But please understand I wouldnt do something like this I dont know anything about it but. Im not trying to evade the question but Im not trying to confuse you but

Qualifiers-phrases/sentences

I know you think Im lying but You may not believe this but Your going to think Im making this up but You are going to find this hard to believe but I know this sounds strange but

Qualifiers-phrases/sentences

This is going to sound like a lie but To the best of my knowledge To clarify what Im saying To answer that completely They would not commit a crime like that..

Camouflage Expressions
By the way Incidentally Like buts listen to what follows

Some of the best indicators of deception

Totally ignores the question Refuses to answer Delays in answering

Warning Signals

Subject who fires back a question Answers slowly and incompletely Interrupts with yes or no Late for the interview second time

Warning Signals

Person who agrees to pay back what was taken Is this mess going to end up in court Inappropriate crying (mucus) Prays during interview

Statements Made

Susan McDougal answers to the allegations of her affair with President Clinton. Im a small-town girl, a Southern Baptist. I would not do it.

While at the opening session of the United Nations in Sept. Bill Clinton responded to press inquiries regarding A.G. Reno opening a thirty day investigation of Clinton and Gore and their fund raising efforts from the White House. Clinton stated that he and Al Gore believed at the time that what we were doing was legal.

Mothers Statement

My children wanted me. They needed me and now I cant help them.

Fathers Statement

Theyre okay. Theyre going to be home soon.

Suspects Statement

I got up at 7:00 when my alarm went off. I took a shower and got dressed. I decided to go out to breakfast. I went to McDonalds on the corner. Met a man who lives nearby. Talked with him for a few minutes. I finished breakfast and drove to work.

Subjects Statement

I was sitting at my desk cleaning my gun. I took my gun apart and cleaned each part. I put my gun back together and when I was putting my gun away, the gun went off.

Arson Statement

I left my house right after breakfast to join my friends at the track for the day. I drove back to my house, made a few phone calls, then went out to dinner with Stan Thompson. Stan dropped me off at my house around 10:00. After I changed my clothes I left the house to spend the night at my cousin Toms. Around midnight we heard fire engines and got up to see what was going on.

A Holistic Approach to Stress Management

To deal effectively with stress, all areas must be addressed equally to integrate, balance, and give harmony for optimal well-being

An Effective Holistic Approach to Stress Management Includes:

Physical well-being, the ability of all the bodys physiological systems to function optimally Mental well-being, ability to gather, process, recall, and communicate information

An Effective Holistic Approach to Stress Management (continued)

Emotional well-being, ability to recognize, feel, and control the entire range of human emotions Spiritual well-being, the evolution of higher consciousness through relationships, values, and purpose in life

What Is Holistic Stress Management?

To live in the present moment To integrate, balance, and harmonize all aspects of mind, body, spirit, and emotions To move from a motivation of fear to a motivation of love/compassion To unite the conscious and unconscious minds To balance the power of ego with the purpose of soul

Im an old man now, and Ive known a great many problems in my life, most of which never happened.

Mark Twain

If youre looking for fast acting relief, try slowing down. Lily Tomlin

A Holistic Approach to Stress Management

To deal effectively with stress, all areas must be addressed equally to integrate, balance, and give harmony for optimal well-being

An Effective Holistic Approach to Stress Management Includes:

Physical well-being, the ability of all the bodys physiological systems to function optimally Mental well-being, ability to gather, process, recall, and communicate information

An Effective Holistic Approach to Stress Management (continued)

Emotional well-being, ability to recognize, feel, and control the entire range of human emotions Spiritual well-being, the evolution of higher consciousness through relationships, values, and purpose in life

What Is Holistic Stress Management?

To live in the present moment To integrate, balance, and harmonize all aspects of mind, body, spirit, and emotions To move from a motivation of fear to a motivation of love/compassion To unite the conscious and unconscious minds To balance the power of ego with the purpose of soul

Im an old man now, and Ive known a great many problems in my life, most of which never happened.

Mark Twain

If youre looking for fast acting relief, try slowing down. Lily Tomlin

Thank You