5.7 Summary
Key Takeaways
- Stress is a concept borrowed from physics to describe how forces (stressors) can strain our mental and physical “elasticity.”
- Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model outlines three phases (Alarm, Resistance & Exhaustion) to explain how the body responds to stress.
- Stress affects all eight dimensions of wellness.
- Identifying which phase of the GAS model one is in can help implement tailored coping strategies.
- Practices that contribute to both present and future well-being can help manage stress levels low and bolster resilience.
- Stress can be motivating or harmful.
Key Terms
- Stress: The body and mind’s response to any threat, demand, or challenge—referred to as a stressor—that disrupts one’s daily life and sense of balance.
- General Adaption Syndrome (GAS): A model developed by endocrinologist Hans Selye that explains how the body responds to prolonged stress using three distinct and sequential phases – alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
- Eustress: This is known as beneficial, motivating stress resulting in peak performance, such as the excitement before a presentation or when starting a new job.
- Distress: When stress exceeds the optimal level and becomes excessive and debilitating, resulting in declining performance.
