Understanding the Stress Response
Overview
Understanding the Stress Response is a training geared towards developing a better comprehension of how and why we respond to stress in certain ways. The training starts with a description of the various types of stress that most people experience. Two key components of the brain's stress response system, the amygdala and hypothalamus, are introduced. Two important chemicals that are involved in the stress response — adrenaline and cortisol — are also discussed.
Participants will learn how to recognize the stress that they are currently dealing with, and develop strategies to reduce the impact of those stressors. The overall intent of the training is to help participants develop increased empathy for oneself and others dealing with stress, and to understand how stress has a physiological impact on the body and mind. Anytime session recorded on September 22, 2022.
Learning objectives
- Define and describe five different types of stress
- Describe two parts of the brain that have significant roles in responding to stress: the amygdala and the hypothalamus
- Identify two chemicals, adrenaline and cortisol, within the body that support stress response and also have negative consequences when they are constantly activated
- Apply a self-care worksheet to assist individuals in recognizing and managing their individual stressors