StressManagement-HomeUniversityofPittsburgh.pptVIP

Observation and imitation have a strong influence on the way that we behave. We can look to people who we hold in high esteem to model their admirable behaviors. * Optimists tend to readily engage in problem solving, which facilitates early resolution of the stress response. However optimism is not always associated with resilience. Some optimists hold on like a bulldog and won’t let go. It is important to recognize negative information and disengage when the situation is untenable (Sowthwick, 2007). * Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) philosopher, psychiatrist and holocaust survivor. * Your values may be challenged when confronted with a high stress situation. In the heat of the moment is important to make good choices. Regarding integrity: “You can’t buy it or sell it, when supported by education, a person’s integrity can give him something to rely on when his perspectives seem to blur, when rules and principles seem to waver, and when he is faced with hard choices of right and wrong; it is something to keep him on the right track, something to keep him afloat when he is drowning.” Comment from James Stockdale (1923-2005), prisoner during the Vietnam war, who further recommends to carefully go through a moral inventory, so when confronted with stressful situations: you do not waver with decision making, you already know what you believe is right or wrong. (Excerpt for Southwick, 2007). * Studies have shown that during WWII, psychiatric patients had a decrease in symptoms when asked to help others in meaningful ways. Studies in ethology (the study of animal behavior) have demonstrated reciprocal altruism: Animals who share during good times receive more during bad times. Brain imaging studies show increased activity in the dopamine-nucleus accumbens reward system. Cooperation, from a neurobiological standpoint, appears to be rewarding (Southwick, 2007). * It is important to remember how important religion and spirituality are to the person that we are