Here is a video about the body's stress response.
And one about the body's immune response:
Based on the psychsim assignment, textbook readings, and these videos, assess your stress level. Be specific.
Based on your assessment, what health concerns do you or should you have?
What coping mechanisms do you find helpful in reducing stress in your life? Which ones don’t you use or have that may be beneficial?
When I took the stress test on the phychsim it said that i was less stressed compared to the average college student which i found wierd because i tend to find myself fairly stressed out about school and college.
ReplyDeleteI think i need to be more cautious of my health because when your stressed simple things like making sure your eating well, so that would be one health concern i have.
Things that help me reduce my stress level are exercising and simply talking to my friends makes me stress and anxiety go down because im not dwelling on the stressors as much.
-Brianna Pagano
Kim Bennett
ReplyDelete1. Based on my knowlege of disorders and treatmen plans, and based on these videos, I have several concerns. I am concerned of the fact that some diseases develop in the late teenage years. This puts you at an increase risk for not being successful in your treatment plans.
2. The coping mechanisims that I find helpful in reducing stress would be to just take a few minutes to sit down and reflect on my day and relax. I will reflect only on the positive parts of the day, that way I am not reminded about the negative aspects.
3. The one coping skill that I do not use would be free association. I feel like this does not give me a potential relaxing day. This would just make me more stressed about what i wrote and weather or not it was adequate enough.
My psychsim test gave me a 24 which is a medium level. To me, on an everyday basis is way more stressed out. During the week all I think about is work and school which causes me alot of stress. Even though i have good time management my stress takes over sometimes.
ReplyDelete1.I think that my health concerns have to do with my brain and immune system. From the psychsim I noticed that you can lose neurons when stressed, which I do not want happening to me. Also, I am stressed all the time. I am a major worrier and think that takes a toll on my immune system making me more susceptible to getting sick.
2. I find exercise as a major coping mechanism for me. I run when I am stressed out and it usually works pretty well for me. I also like to talk to my friends about what I am worried about.
3. I think I need to reflect more on what is the root of my stress.
-Arielle Schwartz, Period 3
My stress level was less stressed compared to average college students. I was a little bit surprised because I feel like I've been stressed out lately trying to balance school and other activities.
ReplyDeleteI'm concerned about how stress can really affect problems with the heart and brain...I don't usually think of stress as the cause of heart attacks or memory loss.
I think it's helpful to set aside time to do things you enjoy doing-it will get your mind off of the stressful things in your life and help you relax. Listening to music can also help.
Laura Schweizer
Brett Ekblad
ReplyDelete- Both categories came up at "below stress level of an average college student" for me. This was a bit surprising because I have thought that my stress levels were often too high. However, with this level of stress, there are still some health issues I have encountered or may in the near future. I do get headaches, stomach pains, and a few other minor symptoms from stress. But, what I can also expect are health problems like heart damage, damage to my digestion system, and possible brain/neural damage.
- Some coping mechanisms I use are just laying down and thinking about my day, playing a really fun video game, and going out with friends.
- Some coping mechanisms that I do not use are journal writing, therapy, or free association.
I agree with the stress tests taken. I try not to worry about insignificant things and I tend to be relaxed in everyday situations.
ReplyDeleteStress-wise I am not really worried about anything harming my health. The only major concern is the amount of sleep I get every night. Right now, it is tolerable but I see myself losing even more sleep in college.
The best things that I can do if I am ever stressed about something are to run/hit something, or to completely forget about it and make it a thing of the past. In that case, I can stop worrying about something and let it be old news--something I have no control over anymore.
-Matt Walters p.1
From taking the stress test on the psychsim it said that i was less stressed than the average college student. I agree with the result from the test because other than the occasional test i don't get stressed very easily and i tend not to worry very much.
ReplyDeleteBased on my assessment, i don't think i should be very concerned about any health risks since my stress level is low. However, i should be aware that in the future if i become more stressed it can lead to diseases and health problems later in life. I am concerned that i will become more stressed in college and not get enough sleep which could lead to health problems.
In order to cope with stress i find it is just best to relax and make sure you are getting enough sleep. To cope with stress i watch tv, listen to music, or take a nap. I have also found that exercising helps control stress.
Allison Beveridge, period 1
For the most part, I agree with the stress tests that I took in the psychsims. While I do believe that they can not and do not cover everything that stresses me, it does do a pretty good job. I will admit to the fact that my stress level is quite high at the moment; all of my school and extracurricular commitments seem to be intensifying at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThe health concerns that I have are that I do not get nearly enough sleep-I'm averaging on 4 hours of sleep a night and that I seem to have had a permanent cold since October. I think that my immune system is taking a major hit because of all the stressors in my life.
Sleep is always a good coping mechanism, as well as just finding some time every weekend to sit down, have some tea, read a book, and relax. Exercising helps as well.
-Caroline Gaffrig p6
With the results of the stress test I took, I am shocked that my results are lower than an average college student. With my workload and extra cirricular activities, I am sleeping later and increasing my stress level. I should try to fix this problem before college begins.
ReplyDeleteHealth concerns that I think i am starting to get is lack of sleep. A average teenager should get at least 9.5 hours of sleep a night. Not getting enough sleep at night brings will lower your life efficency and im not doing a good job of that since im writing this ar 11:20 at night. So I have to fix that.
To help control my stress level, I workout alot with the track team to gain the endorphins (runners high) I need to lower my stress level. Some different ways to help reduce stress is to buy a stress ball. Sometimes you just need to exert your stress away by using force in a non violent manner.
Jeff Moy 3rd hour
My stress level was at the lowest level in the psychsim stress test. I wasn't really suprised by this, but I think it could have been higher. A lot of the things that stress me out are my expectations for things, not the actual things themselves.
ReplyDeleteI am not very concerned about the effects of stress on my health. At the point that stress starts to change my actions I always find a way to fix it. I can see myself having stress problems in the future but I am not going to...stress...about that.
I have luckily been raised by a crazy health food nazi so my diet coupled with excercise helps relieve stress for me. I also stress (pun) looking at the bright side of situations. Stress is also easily alleviated when bad situations are avoided all together.
-David Nolan p3
My stress test on the Psych Sim was relatively low. I wasn't really surprised with for the most part. Although some days, kind of like this week I feel more stressed than normal. But my stress levels don't normally vary that much from week to week. Lately I've been more stressed about school assignments and tests than I should be.
ReplyDeleteI am normally pretty down-to-earth and calm so I don't really have many health problems or concerns related to stress. For the most part the only health that I have to deal with is getting a cold and sore throat from doing so many activities and not getting enough rest or sleep in between them. So relaxing and resting always helps those cold symptoms disappear.
Lastly, how I like to cope with stress is through healthy eating habits and exercise. I love to run, walk, and dance to relieve my stress. I need to go outside and get fresh air as well. I take 10 minute walks to breath in deeply. I also like to draw while listening to relaxing music to just breath and be calm. Writing letters and talking to friends from my youth group, youth pastors or family.
Jayne Jaderholm period 6
According to my PychSim score my stress level is at 35. this falls into the medium category. im not very surprised that my stress level isn't very high. i try to relax myself especially with lacrosse starting soon, because i know that i may not be able to rest and relax very much in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteIf during the season, i get really stressed with practice and games, my immune system will be more suspectible to infection, my blood presure may rise and i can get headaches/ migranes.
Working out is a great way to reieve myself of stress. whenever i have a really stressful or bad day i will go straight to the gym after school. i also play alot of sports regularly which helps me relieve my day to day stress. i also confide in my friends, sharing my problems and getting advice really helps me figure out what the best course of action is
Sarah Borchardt
3rd hour
My score for the psychsim stress test is 38. I generally have a lot of stress and it puts a lot of strain on me. I try to manage my time well, but I procrastinate a lot. I am stressed about school and making decisions for college.
ReplyDeleteMy high stress levels cause suppression of my immune system. This raises my chances of getting sick or contracting an infection. I should also be concerned with high blood pressure, sleep problems, and chronic headaches.
I cope with stress by exercising and relaxing. Spending time with my friends also helps. Anything that distracts me from my stress helps. I think that meditation would help alot and I plan on trying that. Guided imagery and breathing also sound helpful because they allow your mind to clear and focus only on the task at hand. I don't think journaling would be helpful for me
Kelly Dunn Period 3
My life in this moment is rather high-stress. According to my PsychSim, I have a stress score of 28. Compared to my non-stressed self, I am considerably more stressed than usual. I don't this the score is accurate because it counts the stressors and strains without regard for the weight of its impact on my life.
ReplyDeleteMy extracurricular activities are very time-consuming and leave little free time in my schedule. I find it very interesting that we are studying stress at this time. I recently missed two days of school because of sickness. I rarely get sick, and this was the first time all year. This is the physical confirmation that I am indeed, stressed. I also find myself feeling anxious in anticipation for the next responsibility I have to complete.
To cope with my stress, I set aside some time every day to do something fun. This includes drawing, reading, watching tv and listening to music. I also try to go to bed by a reasonable time. Lack of sleep makes me more stressed out. Even though club volleyball is one of my biggest stressors, the physical activity takes my mind off of other obligations.
Lauren Nelson
My stress test score on the PsychSim is an 18. This surprised me because I feel a little more stressed than that because I take 8 straight classes, and lately it's been hard for me to keep up with that.
ReplyDeleteSince heart disease runs in my family, I need to stay relaxed and have an optimistic view of life because "Type A" personality traits (impatient, aggressive, hot tempered, etc.) are shown to increase your risk of a heart attack.
The best way for me to cope with stress is to listen to music or vent to my friends. It also helps to get enough sleep and exercise. However, meditation doesn't help me because I find it difficult to relax my body, but keep my mind focused.
Karen Hays, period 6
I am almost always stressed. I have many commitments and am not the best at time management. The psychsim put my stress level in the middle category. While it did not encompass everything that could be a stressor on the test, it seemed fairly accurate to how I feel about my current level.
ReplyDeleteI do not have any serious health concerns, but I do have to keep my stress in check. In the past I have made myself sick by stressing too much or being constantly overwhelmed. I need to take more time to be alone and relax when this happens.
Sleeping is one of the best ways for me to deal with tension because it helps me relax. Exercising is also a great way to cope with stress for me. I have recently wanted to try journaling because I have heard positive feedback on this method.
Mary Trimeloni-Period 6
According to my psychsim assignment, I’m a twenty, which means that I’m moderately stressed. I don’t agree with the results of this test, because I’m usually calm during the week. Most people usually have stress, because they do things last minute. I usually try to manage my time wisely; therefore, I don’t get stressed about small things. In addition, my parents do put pressure on me, but in a motivational sense; therefore, it doesn’t cause me stress. I wouldn’t say I’m stressed out when I’m about to take a test, but obviously I will put time and effort into studying for one. That doesn’t cause me stress, because I’ll be prepared, however, if I’m not well prepared, that’ll cause me stress.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of concerns about how stress can affect my health. It can affect my heart negatively by raising my blood pressure, cause plaque that blocks my arteries, and reduce blood flow. It can hurt my brain by shrinking the hypothalamus and hurt my digestive tract by reducing enzyme production. I have a long history of heart problems in my family; therefore, I want to cope with stress correctly.
To cope with stress, I usually like to find ways to reduce having stress. For example, I’ll study for a test early, instead of last minute studying. Just working around the house or talking with family and friends helps reduce stress for me. In addition, I like a Punjabi dance called Bhangra or sing Punjabi songs, that helps reduce stress, because I forget everything that’s going on around me.
Irwinpreet Singh Bagri Period #3
-I am a generally calm person, I rarely feel high levels of stress and my results reflected this. I only had a score of 15. Yes I do feel stress and times, but I do not let it get to me. I think of how it’s not worth all this thinking and worrying and simply let it go.
ReplyDelete-The only thing that I find when I’m stress out is that sometimes my stomach feels funky so in the future there could be a problem with my digestive tract. With stress there comes low blood flow which can lead me to being vulnerable to bacteria and my own stomachs acids.
-I cope by sitting back, taking a deep breath, and thinking about how it doesn’t really matter that much and how I’m reacting may be irrational or I just find something to distract me from thinking about it like leaning to music or playing a videogame. A coping mechanism I don’t use is writing in a journal.
-John O’Dea per. 6
My stress level was on the low side in the psychsim stress test. I wasn't surprised by this. I actually thought my score was pretty high. I have a heavy workload and extracurricular activities, but they don't cause me much stress.
ReplyDeleteI am not very concerned about any health risks since my stress level is low. I am aware that it may become a problem in the future. Stress may cause me to get less sleep in college which will then lead to health problems.
Exercise is a my major coping mechanism for me. I get a chance to be alone with my thoughts and that makes me relax. A coping mechanism I do not use is a journal.
-David Poetz
My score for the psychsim stress test is 22. It says that im alot less stressed than the average college student. I think this makes alot of sense because i am not stressed very often.
ReplyDeleteBased on my assement i should have very few health concerns. Stress takes a toll on your immune system causing people to be more vulnerable to illnesses. I am not stressed very often and i hardly ever get sick. I barely miss school and usually only get sick once a year.
I cope with my stress by working out. I work out every night and it seems to help alot. It helps me to clear my head and it makes me feel better about myself on a daily basis. I also talk to my friends and family alot and they give me alot of helpful advice.
Some mechanisms that may help could be yoga or taking more naps. Yoga helps to clear the mind and helps control your breathing. Yoga can help you feel like you have control of your life.
That last comment was from SARAH JANE GOES-PLATZ period 1!
ReplyDeletei forgot to put my name
When I had done the psychsim it said that I wasnt very stressed. I had a 19. I thought that it would be less than what it actually was becasue i dont get stressed out too much.
ReplyDeleteI can definetly do a couple of things to keep me healthy. I can find a way to relieve stress without eating unhealthy foods. I've learned to use my boxing bag as a means to release excess stress.
I do a lot of things to relieve stress though. I listen to music, talk to friends, sleep and exercise. When it comes to extreme cases I talk to my family about my stress issues. Pretty much anything that helps me relieve bad stress is good.
Alec Riefenberg Period 1
-Amy Johnson 1st Hour-
ReplyDeleteAfter taking the psychsim test, i scored a 20, which put me in a lower stress level than many high school and college students. This actually suprised me because often times I feel like I have so much going on with so little time to do it and do feel stressed out. I think that I have actually learned how to deal with my stress so that I don't feel as stressed out as I could. I make sure that I get enough sleep and I schedule my time well so that I can get everything done. I am good at putting into perspective what needs to be done and what I want to do. I also think that I am a Type B person, and therefore am more laid back and relaxed. I have found that exercising helps me a lot. The release of endorphins during and after exercising gives me energy and releases some of the tension I sometimes feel.
Currently I am sick with a bad cough and sore throat. I feel that it may be strongly correlated with my current stress level. I have had a lot of homework, many scheduled activities ( during and after school) and my soccer is taking up a lot of time. I feel as though this has culminated to a stress level where I have entered the stage of exhaustion and I have become more vulnerable to infections.
the psychsim scored me with 11 which is way to low. I always have home work and i am huge procrastinator and i'm always doing an extra curricular activities.
ReplyDeletemy concern with stress is that a soon as i stop doing sports and other activities i will start to become more stressed, but right now because i still do sports i feel that i wont have too many stress problems other than fatigue.
the way i cope with my stress is by exercising or by watching tv.BUt watching tv only ends up causing me to be more stressed in the end.
Micah Koenig p6
When i took the Stress test, my score turned out to be 20 which was low compared to the average college student. I think that the test was some what innacurate because there were some elements missing that cause major stress in my life. For instance, i do not get stressed over pressure from my parents. Instead, most of my at home stress comes from worring about my parents relationship. Hearing them yelling at each other effects me more then them putting any pressure on me. My stress level is also raised when i have to do any form of public speaking or presenting because i worry about what other people may think of me. I wish i could get over the fear of messing up in front of a group because i am never feeling as good as i should. The video helped me understand more about what happends to the brain and the immune system. Some health concers are that i am more susceptible to becoming sick. I also do not want to recieve headaches, or fatigue from working my body's response systems all the time. A copeing mechanism that i use to help reduse stress is to make a plan on paper. It helpes me mannage my time so that i can distract myself from worring thoughts and make the best out of my day. Another technique that i use is dancing because it distracts my mind and is also great excercise that makes me feel better about myself.
ReplyDeleteKatelyn Reynolds Period 3
Catie W. Period: 6
ReplyDelete1. The assessment that I received from the psychsim assignment indicated that I have a high stress level. I believed this assessment to be accurate in that I personally feel that I have a constant high level of stress. My anxiety and worries run parallel to what I have read in this unit and I find myself to be able to identify with what has been discussed.
2. I am concerned about my health in that while taking the strain test on the psychsim I found myself to be marking almost all of the boxes that indicate strain. Irritability, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, loss of concentration are just a few of the symptoms I have experienced that appear to run parallel with a high level of stress.
3. I find exercise and relaxation to be very helpful in lowering my level of stress. However, relaxation in particular cannot be achieved with watching television or reading a book. Simply sitting in my gazebo in my backyard or in a comfortable chair in my family room while ensuring that peace and quiet are present tends to decrease my levels of stress and anxiety.
1.On my psychsim test, I scored an 18 which is not to bad. I am a very relaxed person that doesn't let stress take over my life. I do, however, become stressed at random moments about college plans and huge test. So overall i found this test obsolete becuase you can measure someones stress score, it is always changing.
ReplyDelete2. There are many ways that I use to help cope with my stress. I play video games, exercise, and eat. (best one)
3. Some of these coping mechanisms are healthing and some are not. Exerciseing is a great way to cope with stress, but eating can hurt me in the long run. All of these ways are pretty good, but sometimes the eating tip isn't such a bright idea...
-Sean McGaha (3rd Hour)
According to the psychsim my stress level was lower than the average college student. Although I have a lot going on I expected this because I feel like I am able to put things into perspective. I think though that the stress test didn't fully assess how stressed out you were because some people stress out more about certain things than others.
ReplyDeleteI definately think it is true that you are more likely to get sick when you are stressed out based on the effects it has on you immune system. I don't get sick too often which makes sense because I'm not that stressed. At this point I'm not worried about future health risks due to stress.
I cope with my stress by listening to music or watching TV, anything that doesn't involve too much thinking. Dance has always helped me relax and also getting enough sleep.
Tara Dunseith, 1st hour
According to the stress test I fell in the medium range. I was't to surprised with this because there are alot things going on in my life that would cause stress; AP classes, college decisions,and being involved in a sport. According to our textbook and other readings it makes perfect sense that I scored higher on the stress test than some of my friends becasue I would be classified as a Type A person.
ReplyDeleteNo health conerns as of yet should I be too worried about such as hypertension and such, however, I do realize that stress does supress the immune system making it easier to contract a virus and harder to fight it off. If anything I should worry about getting more sleep to prevent running down my immune system.
To relieve stress the thing I go to most often is my iPod. Listening to music relaxes me because I literally get lost in the music and its lyrics. I also find napping to be helpful and working out. Going out on a long jog with my headphones is the ultimate; it helps in reducing stress everytime.
Maureen Doyle --> 3
According to the PsychSim stressor test, my stress level is lower than that of an average college student. I found this to be a little bit surprising because sometimes I feel very stressed. But most times I am not that stressed. I think that the test doesn't accurately show stress levels because some people find themselves stressed more on one thing than another.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have any concerns with the effects of stress on my health especially because I am not usually very stressed out. But when it comes to finals I do find myself more stressed and can get headaches and feel sick. So I do agree that stress has effects on immune systems.
I cope with my stress mainly by talking to my friends so that they can help me through whatever problems I may be having. I also like to listen to music because it makes me feel relaxed and it puts my stressors out of my mind. What relieves my stress the most is getting enough sleep.
Alexis Buchel 1st hour
My stress level was below an average college student which wasn't really surprising because lately I haven't really been that stressed. Normally, I would say that I am a lot more stressed. I am concerned for what stress can do to me in the future. Especially its harmful effects on the heart. Also, I am concerned about how it affects the immune system because I hate being sick and I would become more stressed because I am sick and cause a downward spiral.
ReplyDeleteTo reduce stress I usually work which keeps my mind off things or at the same time it can allow me to think clearer and work through things. I also just like to sit back and relax and go over the day, but just let the past be the past and not worry too much.
To cope I usually don't rely on my friends for help which I'm sure is a very good idea I just don't really use it. I only would go to them if it was a really big problem.
Alyssa Wahl
Period 6
Based on my Psychism test I got a 22 which is below the average stress level for a college student. The concern I have is I usually always feel over stressed most of the time. The stress that causes the most of it is in and out of school which the test didn't have many choices that cause my stress, making the test a little inaccurate. Usually I have a good handle on stress but sometimes it gets overwhelming and takes over.
ReplyDeleteSome coping mechanisms that help me reduce my stress is to lay down and relax and just listen to some music. Another one is to talk to a friend I trust about what's going on in my life and they usually help me deal with it and help me later take my mind off of the problems.
Some coping mechanisms that don't help me is writing in a journal, that has never seem to work for me. One method like free-association doesn't seem like it would work for me either, some things that are embarrassing I don't think I would want to share unconsciously.
Paige Olis, 1st hour
The psychsim said that my stress level was significantly lower than that of an average college student. However, seeing as my life is different than that of the average college student, I feel that my stress score would actually be higher than stated (for this week at least--I'm usually pretty cool and collected).
ReplyDeleteIf the stress score I was given is accurate, than I don't really have to worry about the health concerns associated with high stress levels. However, because I feel differently, some potential risks I may have are high blood pressure as well as decreased memory and speed of digestion.
Usually, when I am feeling stressed or tense, I make some effort to detach myself from what is causing me stress so that I can look at it with fresh eyes. This can involve several things, such as listening to music, reading a book, taking a nap, or running. After I have had some time to think about the situation at hand, I am usually less anxious and am able to think and act more clearly.
Sarah Khalil, first hour
Kate Hasse
ReplyDeletePeriod: 3
1. According to the psycsim, my level of stress in my life was 32. That was average compared to most college students. After reading and doing various assignments on stress I found that I am more of a Type B person. Although I get stressed at certain moments, the stress test was not able to incorporate how I respond to each stressor.
2. Based on the level of stress the psycsim stress test gave me, I should be getting sick due to a drop in my immune system and a rise in my blood pressure levels. I am not very concerned about my future health risks because I respond to most stressful events in my life positively.
3. I use a few coping mechanisms to reduce my amount of stress. I relax by listening to music, taking a shower, playing the piano, or playing soccer. I find the soccer is the most beneficial way for me to relieve stress and get a good nights sleep.
The stress test I took said I had a stress level of 12, so I'm relatively stress free most of the time. This matched my prediction of what I thought my stress level would be. I feel that I don't stress out about things I just whine incessantly about them. Things such as getting up for school and doing homework all provoke me to whine often.
ReplyDeleteAs far as stress and health goes, my immune system is pretty bad and I can get sick pretty easily so I am already careful in that regard. Furthermore I haven't had any noticeable stress event that caused illness in the recent past.
In order to deal with my stress I usually listen to music or watch a good movie. This helps my mind escape from the stress.
Dan Arnold
My assessment on the psych sim said that I have a relatively low stress lever compared to the average college student. I agree with this because I view myself as a calm person and I try not to let things stress me out. I don't think it was the best way of assessing because there are different things in people's lives that stress them out and the stress levels would be weighted differently based on the situation.
ReplyDeleteI think I have few health concerns because I exercise regularly and try to eat healthy. But there is always room for change and I have to be concious of my stress levels.
I find exercise as an outlet to relieve stress. Also taking time to reflect and sort things out helps me to feel less anxious and in control.
Stef Tollefsen, 3rd hour
1. When I took the stress test on the psychsim assignment, my score was a 20, which is less than an average college student. I'm surprised that my stress level wasn't a little higher. I tend to be a perfectionist and therefore I often times stress myself out and crave for everything to be perfect. I think my stress level is a little higher than what the psychsim assignment projected because sometimes I get headaches and lose sleep over the stress I'm under. Yet, from the book, I find myself to be more of a "Type B" personality, which would make me be more patient, relaxed, and easy-going. I'm generally a laid-back person until the night before a test is occurring or project is going to be due, and then I just overstress myself.
ReplyDelete2. As I stated earler, I get headaches and lose sleep over the stress I'm under. Also I tend to lose my appetite and don't take the time to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
3. A coping mechanism that I find helpful to reducing my stress is writing down my thoughts and talking to my friends because they provide me with an escape from the stress I'm under. It's easy to confide in them and it helps me deal with the stress I'm under better.
4. A coping mechanism that I do not use is any form of relaxation, such a meditation and yoga. Also I don't channel my extra frustrations into exercise, and I think that exercising could potentially reduce the stress in my body and allow me to sleep better.
Melvina S., 1st hour :)
The Psychsim "All Stressed Out" stress test activity computed me to be moderately stressed out compared to the average college student. Much of the stress i feel is probably a result of the appraisal of the stressful event (as the book mentions). When i play sports my appraisal is normally that of a challenge, meaning i have a "go-getter" attitude and focus my energy on the task at hand. In more academic activities, I get very nervous and appraise tests and huge projects as a threat to my grade most of the time, which causes me to respond with panic and anxiety.
ReplyDeleteBased on that assessment, and symptoms from too much strain i already have, I know that a lack of sleep is the foremost health concern for me currently. It is even more detrimental because it is cyclical; if i don't sleep i stress out about sleep. Without enough sleep your body slows down production of important lymphocytes and chemicals in the bone marrow that are a part of your immune system. I frequently get sick right after a stressful week; finals for example. My body is able to use its resources all week long and mobilize them but then they are depleted and overworked and it turns into a stage of exhaustion. This is also know as the General Adaption Syndrome.
I really do try to cope with my stress by taking short breaks during long study or homework sessions. If i just get up and walk around my house and do a menial chore or activity then go back to my work, i normally come back fresh and ready to approach the topic again. Aerobic exercise is something that the book also promotes as a healthy way to cope with stress. I love to run and work out which is all around great for your body. Biologically, mood-boosting neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin are produced when you run which give you a happier demeanor after a good long run! For really stressful events like deaths, the book mentions and i've found that having a faith to reflect on and provide answers to your questions lowers my stress. Being connected with a faith community also can act as a social network, so you have social support for pretty much anything that you need.
-Katelyn Stermer, Period 1
my stress test score was low compared to the average college student. However i feel that lately i have been more stressed out than usual.I have had a lot of homework and work concerns. I also have a lot going on in my personal life so i was surprised that i did not have a higher stress score.
ReplyDeleteusually I do not get stressed out but when I do I tend not to sleep well or eat well. This just ends up making my stress worse because then I end up with really bad headaches. This concerns me because when i get bad headaches i get aggrivated which can make my blood pressure increase which can lead to fat building up along the walls of my bloodvessels reducing blood flow to my heart and other organs and can also result in a heart attack or a stroke or other heart risks.
to deal with stress i usually read or do yoga. reading helps me think of something else and yoga really helps me calm down my nerves and my muscles. It also helps me reflect on why I'm stressed in the first place.
Allison O'Connell 3rd hour
When I took the phychism stress test, my stress test was high to that of the typical college student. I agree with part this stress test because I do get overwhelmed with homework and tests. But I think that I have other problems that the stress test did not include that I am stressed out about.
ReplyDeleteI know that if I get myself involved in a lot of activities I get run down and, therefore, get sick.
When coping with stress I usually watch TY, listen to music, play the piano, hang out with friends, play tennis, and go shopping. I sometimes eat, but that definitely is a bad way to deal with stress.
Shoot I forgot to write my name, but the post that was on February 18 at 10:07 PM was Katie Stallone, 3rd hour
ReplyDeleteThis year I have found myself to be a lot more A-typical than ever before, and as a result I thought my stress level would have increased. The test said that i had a comparatively low stress score. I think that the test needs to factor more into the different weights on each facet of one's life. If i valued one skilled more than someone else and I was failing in that aspect then my stress would increase much more than someone else's who has different priorities. I think I have a relatively high stress level during the week, but like the book mentioned, I have a very strong support network of friends which helps me cope with the stress well. As far as stress in terms of a the process in which we perceive and deal with challenges, I should deserve a relatively low score.
ReplyDeleteIf my stress becomes a large problem I should worry about hypertension and atherosclerosis. I could have problems sleeping and concentrating. My immune system would also suffer.
I use my friends very often to help relieve the stress. I'm in several bands and i play a handful of instruments; music can help stress in a very dramatic way. (although during performances and auditions it is a large contributor of stress)I have a girlfriend and being in a relationship can really help relieve my stress.
I could be more religious i suppose. Exercise also should help. I am not very active in either of those areas and they could both be beneficial to me if i needed more ways to cope with my stress.
Trevor Thiess 6th
1. I believe that I'm currently stressed but not unusually. According to the stress test I was less stressed out than the average college student. My stressors right now are that I'm very busy with homework, aren't getting a lot of sleep, am busy with track after school, and have other pressures. I think that my stress test was low though because I'm accustomed to working under these stressful situations. My stress dot said that I was very stressed I think this is because my hands are cold. I also had a meet that day and a lot of homework so that could attribute to it also.
ReplyDelete2. There is a bad cold going around and I think that I'm beginning to get it. When I'm stressed it usually means that I'm not getting a lot of sleep and this makes my immune system weaker. I have a sore throat already probably because I'm juggling a lot on my plate. When you are very active and busy your health can suffer under the sress.
3. I cope with my stress by laying out plans for all my work. I try to split up my work and not leave a lot of it for one night. This means less stress thrown on me late the night before a test. Also, I also have a rest time in my work plan when the weekend comes. I find that it really helps to unwind. Also, even though I'm busy I enjoy all the things that I do and they can be stressful but they are also enjoyable.
-Amy M. 6th hr
According to the psychsim, my stress level was "medium" compared to the average college student by one point. I do agree with this in the sense that I am decently stressed out at this time, but I don't exactly believe that this test is completely thorough. Certain people stress out differently (and to varying degrees) about certain things. Thus I don't believe this test would successfully evaluate every individual equally.
ReplyDeleteAs pertaining to health, I do think that the stress levels must have some effect on my ability to fight illness, etc. I rarely get significantly sick, but as I get more and more stressed, I tend to get a slight cold illness; this isn't significant enough to keep me from school, but it does hold me back at times. Also, I tend to use sleep (i.e., naps after school) to cope with stress at certain times, but my sleeping patterns range. This could potentially set off my circadian cycle/sleeping habits which could cause harm to my health.
I commonly cope with my stress by listening to music. I have certain songs that make me happy, energetic, calm, etc. And every evening I go to sleep to classical music on the radio. This music especially calms me and allows me to relax before I go to bed. This helps because before I often would have troubles sleeping due to all the stress I had. Music really helps me relax. I also sometimes take naps after school to relieve stress. Usually these naps are approx. half an hour, which keeps me energized for a long night ahead of homework, etc.
I do wish that I used exercise more as a coping mechanism. I don't usually use exercise to cope, but when I do I usually really notice the results. I think that it would be beneficial for me to increase such a habit.
Ellen Groble, 6th Hour
When I took the stress test that was provided on the textbook's website, I was surprised by what stress group I was put in. Though I was in the lowest group, I felt as if I am at least in the medium stress group because I feel as if I always determine my potential stressors to be more harmful then they usually turn out to be. For as long as I have been able to remember I have been stressed about things that I was unable to control. An example is when I was little I used to be obsessed with checking my parent's gas gauge in their car and become worried if it was under a quarter of a tank.
ReplyDeleteThe major health concerns that I have when it comes to stress are not the strains it puts on my body but the physical harm it can do such as its ability to raise blood pressure and destroy the stomach lining. I am concerned about these because my family has a history of high blood pressure and I do not need added challenges when trying to keep mine low, and the destruction of the lining of the stomach scares me because it is something I have no control over. As I stated earlier, the things that I can not control I find myself worrying about the most.
When coping with stress I often find myself either playing music or going to exercise. I am fairly pleased with how I currently cope with stress but I would like to learn how to meditate like a Tibetan monk, giving myself control over my metabolism and heart rate.
Basil Sabbak, 3rd hour
My pyschsim results showed that my stress level was lower than the average college student. I am usually not stressed out, but on occasion I get very stressed.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how entirely accurate the test is because I think sometimes one specific thing can cause more stress than a bunch of little things.
With stress I usually get headaches, but I try to have healthy habits so I do not get sick very often. I know I should be sure to always manage my time because having enough time to do things is a large source of stress for me. If I don't manage time well that could lead to various health concerns in the future.
Usually, I find that exercising or doing a low key activity helps me relieve stress. Simple things like reading a good book, drawing, or watching tv help me cope with stress. Getting more sleep would definetely also help reduce stress in my life.
Emily Rappleye, 6th Hour
According to the Stress Psychsim, my average stress score was 24, putting me at the top of the low stress bracket. This number does not entirely surprise me, but there were a few abnormalities while taking the test.
ReplyDeleteIn general, I would not consider myself to be an extremely stressed out person. Howeverm two things that often stress me out the most were not present on on the test. One of those things is the pressure to stay involved in extra-curricular activities and also any stresses that can be added by out of the ordinary events. The psychsim asked for this week, not in general, but things do have a tendency to come up out of the blue. A doctor's appointment or something happening in your family can often be all it takes to stress me out completely.
Based on my assessment,I think the two major health issues I could potentially have are sleep deprivation and a lowered immune system. I am often up late finishing homework, a very stressful process. Also, because of my lack of sleep, I sometimes feel rundown and this, paired with high levels of stress, can potentially cause me to become sick.
I often feel the best coping method for stress for me is to sleep. An occasional nap or getting to sleep in on weekends definitely helps to calm me down if I have been stressing. Also, exercise always helps me to relax a lot if I have had a lot on my mind.
I found after taking the psychsim that my stress level was only a 19. I wouldn't consider myself a worrier by any means, but I do tend to overanalyze situations which can cause stress. The majority of my stress stems from the problems of people around me because I often feel like it is my job as a friend or family member to help them through their issues.
ReplyDeleteSince I usually am not stressed and keep a positive mental attitude, I generally do not have to endure any type of illness caused by stress. However, I do see how worrying can negatively affect the immune system through the lives of people around me.
When I cope with stress I usually turn to playing the piano and excercise as an escape. I also can get stressed by lack of sleep so getting a good night's rest is an obvious solution to my stress.
Kimmy Steelman, 1st hour
Based on the Psychsim assignment my stress level was medium in comparison to college students. However, I feel that it did not correctly determine my stress level because it is too general a test to determine a person's stress level with much accuracy. I feel that my stress level is higher than medium because I have to conciously loosen myself up because I'm so keyed up. I've also noticed that I feel less in control of everything than I usually am.
ReplyDeleteI think that right now my body is in the resistance stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, so at the moment my health should remain good, however if it continues into the Exhaustion Stage then I will be more likely to fall ill, or the cold that I currently have will worsen again. Typically I'm not nearly as stressed as I am at the moment so long term health concerns like blood pressure increase should not be an issue.
Whenever I do some kind of physical activity I find myself less stressed and more able to see my stressors as challenges that I am able to overcome. Other than that I don't practice any other coping mechanisms. One that I believe would be extremely beneficial would be disclosing my supressed thoughts to a friend or writing them down in a journal.
-Connor T. Period 6
According to the psychsim assignment, I was medium on my stress level. I agree with this but not because of the survey. It is hard to determine ones stress on a survey since individuals cope with similar stresses differently.
ReplyDeleteI will admit I have been more stressed this year more than any other but I do not feel it will cause problems. One problem that may occur is lack of sleep causing build up of stress since the brain doesn't reevaluate thoughts and better cope with stress.
When I am stressed out I tend to do vigorous activity such as running. It seems to work best and is healthy compared to some other methods of coping.
Dan N P.1
My stress test level was lower than that of the average college student. I feel as though this psychsim test was irrelevant. The assessment left out many stressors that affect high school students, such as sports, limited time, and daily annoyances. Also, different stressors affect people differently. Somebody may be simply annoyed rather than severely agitated.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though stress grows with age. The stimuli and responses that affect a toddler are much different than those of an adult. Each scholastic year, workload grows, expectations become higher, and responsibilities become more numerous. And finally you're left alone, expected to fend for yourself.
I have found several ways of coping. I take naps after school. These short sleeps help me relax and give me energy to do whatever it is I must do. I also enjoy physical fitness. It helps me take my mind off of things.
A method that I would love to learn is meditation. Seeing that one can become that relaxed amazes me.
Grant V.
Period 1
Based on the psychsim assignment, I have a low stress level. For the most part I agree with this. I think that I get stressed easily but I am able to think through the situation, and organize myself so that I don't feel like it controls me. I think that I get stressed when I don't have control over a situation, so as long as I keep that in check, I'm fine.
ReplyDeleteI have a pretty low stress level, but I am concerned about high blood pressure and cholesterol. They run in my family so I know that I have to be careful and keep my emotions in check. I think I also need to be concerned about falling ill during exams when I do get stressed because I definitely enter the exhaustion phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome.
Coping mechanisms that I find helpful would probably be working out. When I'm feeling extremely anxious or stressed out, or just overwhelmed going for a run helps me clear my mind and puts me in a better mood instantly. I think meditation could be a really good way of coping with stress too because it gives you the ability to concentrate your thoughts and calms the body.
Rebecca J. period 2
After taking the phychsim stress test I found my score to be higher than expected, but when I thought about the results afterwards, I realized that there are many different stressors that affect me daily, sometimes without me even knowing. With college just around the corner, it is now time for me to choose a college that best fits me with both academics and soccer, and finding the right school has been tough because there are so many different schools and the pressure of my parents wanting me to decide and commit has been building up and homework keeps piling on which causes me to stay up late and lose sleep so there a lot of stressors that definitely cause me stress. I would say I have a medium level of stress normally, but depending on the day, it can go lower or higher.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my stress level, my body’s initial response to stress, the SAM releases stress hormones that can increase my heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure and can even slow digestion. These stress hormones can also cause headaches, upset stomachs and muscle tension at high levels. My chances of becoming sick also increase while under extreme stress. These are all possible heath concerns that have based on my assessment.
I have several different ways of coping that I find helpful in reducing stress. One is playing soccer because I’m not worried about any school work or stressfulness while I’m playing. Taking a break from schoolwork and going to the movies or out shopping with friends is also another way to help me reduce stress. Lastly, my basketball team learned a technique called the finger touch that helps to reduce stress and calm your body. You simply close your eyes and touch your middle fingers and ring fingers to your thumbs and breathe. People also use yoga to relax, which I have tried before. The music really sooths you.
After taking the phychsim stress test I found my score to be higher than expected, but when I thought about the results afterwards, I realized that there are many different stressors that affect me daily, sometimes without me even knowing. With college just around the corner, it is now time for me to choose a college that best fits me with both academics and soccer, and finding the right school has been tough because there are so many different schools and the pressure of my parents wanting me to decide and commit has been building up and homework keeps piling on which causes me to stay up late and lose sleep so there a lot of stressors that definitely cause me stress. I would say I have a medium level of stress normally, but depending on the day, it can go lower or higher.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my stress level, my body’s initial response to stress, the SAM releases stress hormones that can increase my heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure and can even slow digestion. These stress hormones can also cause headaches, upset stomachs and muscle tension at high levels. My chances of becoming sick also increase while under extreme stress. These are all possible heath concerns that have based on my assessment.
I have several different ways of coping that I find helpful in reducing stress. One is playing soccer because I’m not worried about any school work or stressfulness while I’m playing. Taking a break from schoolwork and going to the movies or out shopping with friends is also another way to help me reduce stress. Lastly, my basketball team learned a technique called the finger touch that helps to reduce stress and calm your body. You simply close your eyes and touch your middle fingers and ring fingers to your thumbs and breathe. People also use yoga to relax, which I have tried before. The music really sooths you.
Natalie Robertaccio Period 3
As a second semester senior that is almost sure of where he is going to college, I have little stress. With only having to worry about getting "hard working C's/B's" in school, there is almost no stress coming from school. According to the Psychsim test I scored very low on the stress test.
ReplyDeleteThe health concerns that I have are sleeping troubles. But because I have always had it and have learned to cope with it, they are not bothersome anymore. And with little disease in my family history, I have little to worry about until my geezer-years.
The best ways to cope with stress are to sleep and exercise. Sleeping settles you down while exercise lets you force out the stress. I do not have medication that could help with stress and that is the only beneficial coping mechanism that I do not possess.
Max DV
After checking my level of stress through Psysim, I found to be pretty low. It did not surprise me because typically I am an awfully care free person. Not to many things tend to bother me or get ahold of me. I do not worry when it comes to tests or quizes, especially if I have not studied for them, I just dive in head first.
ReplyDeleteWhile there may be many stressful situations surrounding me, whether through school or the family, personally I am able to block out a lot of the negative problems and are able to concentrate on the better things in life or what makes me happy.
The best way I cope with my little amout of stress is through rest and relaxation. I enjoy sleeping and find that after a good nights sleep, everything comes together and become whole again. I enjoy listening to music and relaxing, which is the major way I cope with stressful times on a day to day basis. I don't let stress beat me.
-Cory Pianetto-
I found that my score on the psychsim stress test was fairly accurate in measuring the amount of stress I have for the given situations. Situations that truly stress me out were not choices and if they were, I'm sure my score would have been much higher. Most of my stress comes from worrying about more extreme situations rather than day to day activities.
ReplyDeleteWhen I do get stressed out about things I definitely notice negative changes in my health. The main concern that I have is that stress causes me to lose a lot of sleep. If I'm worried about something I lay awake at night for hours. This causes kind of a chain of events; lack of sleep leads to not being able to pay attention in school which leads to more stress and so on. Also, I've noticed that the times when I am stressed out about something, I am more likely to get sick.
Dealing with stress obviously varies from person to person but for me, convincing myself that my problems aren't as big as I think they are usually works. It's easy to get caught up in something, thinking you'll never be able to handle a certain situation but its even easier to step back and tell yourself its not so bad. Something that I don't do but I wish I did more of is talking to friends and family about what is stressing me out.
After taking the phychsim stress test I found my score to be higher than expected, but when I thought about the results afterwards, I realized that there are many different stressors that affect me daily, sometimes without me even knowing. With college just around the corner, it is now time for me to choose a college that best fits me with both academics and soccer, and finding the right school has been tough because there are so many different schools and the pressure of my parents wanting me to decide and commit has been building up and homework keeps piling on which causes me to stay up late and lose sleep so there a lot of stressors that definitely cause me stress. I would say I have a medium level of stress normally, but depending on the day, it can go lower or higher.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my stress level, my body’s initial response to stress, the SAM releases stress hormones that can increase my heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure and can even slow digestion. These stress hormones can also cause headaches, upset stomachs and muscle tension at high levels. My chances of becoming sick also increase while under extreme stress. These are all possible heath concerns that have based on my assessment.
I have several different ways of coping that I find helpful in reducing stress. One is playing soccer because I’m not worried about any school work or stressfulness while I’m playing. Taking a break from schoolwork and going to the movies or out shopping with friends is also another way to help me reduce stress. Lastly, my basketball team learned a technique called the finger touch that helps to reduce stress and calm your body. You simply close your eyes and touch your middle fingers and ring fingers to your thumbs and breathe. People also use yoga to relax, which I have tried before. The music really sooths you.
Natalie Robertaccio Period 3
P.S.
Mrs. Castelli my post sent, I just forgot to put my name on it. It's the one above Max DV's post but I'm sending it to you again with my name on it. Sorry.
My psychsim score was low compared to many college students, however i feel like i have been under a lot of stress lately. I didnt believe people when they said that junior year is the most stressful, however now i completely agree. I find it very difficult trying to balance school work, ACTs, college-planning, and extracurriculars while still trying to find time for friends and family.
ReplyDeleteI know i should be more concerned about the effects of stress on the body, such as high blood pressure, however, currently i dont not worry much about it. My main focus is just eating right and getting enough sleep.
I have found a few ways of coping with stress. When the stress become too much to handle, i take a break from what i am currently doing and i turn on my ipod. Music has become my escape, helping me relax and calm down. Also, i try to take short naps when i find time because they help me concentrate and focus better.
Agata Glowacka
Period 1
My stress level was found to be above average in comparison with college students, which i think is pretty accurate. I get stressed out over tasks pretty easily, even if they're not that challenging.
ReplyDeleteSome health risks that come along with a high stress level are a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Some coping mechanims that I do use are taking naps, listening to music, and venting to friends. This all helps me relax when I'm stressed out.
A coping mechanism that would probably help that I don't usually do is exercising, which eventually relaxes you and improves your concentration.
Elle Woodall Hour 1
My score was lower than average. Normally this would be associated with a lot of stress in my life, however, I do not feel that this is the case.
ReplyDeleteI am very much aware that stress affects your health and can cause heart diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. It are these reasons why I have always been the kind of person to take the time to relax. I know that if I relax every once in a while, my health will improve and will lower my risks for heart diseases.
My relaxing techniques would be to take at least 10 minutes every day to close my eyes and reflect upon my day. I only think about the positive aspects and close out all the negative parts. This will help me to relax and in turn lower my stress level and also lower my risk for health problsms such as heart attacks and strokes.
Kim Bennett