Stress and Training

DEFINITION OF STRESS

Pressure exists outside the person and may be beneficial or harmful depending on how much pressure there is. A total absence of pressure may lead to lethargy while an optimising level can be energising for the individual concerned. Too much pressure are thought of as stressors. Stress itself exist in a person and is seen as a bad thing. Stress is the subjective reaction in which there is a perceived loss of control. This happens when a person makes an appraisal, not always very consciously, that there is a mismatch between the demands being made of them and their ability to cope with these demands.

The variation in the appraisal process reflects the differing abilities of the individual – 3 possibilities:

1. A person quite rightly perceives a mismatch between ability/resources and demands and doubts their ability to cope, leading to stress.

2. A person incorrectly perceives a mis-match because of self-doubt and experiences stress largely because of false belief.

3. There is a mismatch but the person does not see it and experiences no stress.

Any stressful event will cause the sort of physiological changes which equip us for instant physical action – fight or flight.

The level of anxiety will depend upon the individuals’ subjective perception of the threat, which the situation poses to his well-being. This depends largely on his previous experience. For any individual a situation producing anxiety is one of stress.

Stressful situations often involve frustration. Stress will be experienced under the direct threat of physical harm or even a blow to one’s pride. Any stressful event will cause the sort of physiological changes which equip us for instant physical action – fight or flight response because it physically prepares the body to stay and respond to the threat or to evade it.

Stress leads to anxiety.

Anxiety is an unpleasant emotion. An individual who is anxious react mentally or physically to...