When considering the claim that eating well helps to reduce stress, what advice might your give a friend who appears to be stressed about an upcoming exam but chooses to have chips and soda for lunch every day?
I would advise choosing nutrient-dense foods (fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains) instead of chips and soda, because proper nutrition stabilizes energy and mood, supports concentration, and reduces overall stress.
Explain the three major causes that contribute to mental health disorders.
The exact causes of mental disorders are not fully understood, but the main causes are physical, psychological, and environmental factors. Physical factors are abnormalities in the body that occur due to physical damage. Brain damage, exposure to toxins, prenatal damage, poor nutrition, and genetic factors are just some of the examples of physical damage that can cause mental illness. Psychological issues are feelings or emotional stressors in life such as feelings of anxiety or loneliness. Environmental conditions that influence mental illness are unmanageable changes such as death or divorce, social and cultural expectations, and substance abuse.
Describe the process for managing emotional stress.
It is important to express one's feelings and not hold them in. It is important to take care of yourself and listen to your body. Develop resilience, which is the ability to bounce back after emotional stress has occurred. Finally, keep things in perspective. This last step includes keeping a positive outlook.
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, explain what needs must be met in order for a person to reach self-actualization.
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a person’s basic physical needs for food and water and safety needs need to be met first. Once these needs are met, a person can then focus on their social needs, which is the need for love, affection, and acceptance. Then a person can focus on esteem needs, which is the need to have self-respect and the ability to achieve one's goals. Once all of these needs are met, a person reaches self-actualization.
Compare and contrast eustress with distress.
Eustress is positive stress that is usually short-term and can motivate, energize, or inspire a person. Distress is negative stress that feels overwhelming or unmanageable and can interfere with health and daily functioning. Both involve the body’s stress response, but they differ in whether the stress is helpful or harmful.
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