Reflection Paper
Reflection Paper
In the following essay, it will be examined the practical application of the Selye’s general adaptation syndrome basing on my own experience. Recently, I have faced a stressful situation when I needed to change my place of living. It might be a lucky moment, but it is still a disturbance of my everyday routine. Additionally, I was afraid of the fact that it would take some time before I could get settled in my new place.
Pursuant to the Selye’s general adaptation syndrome, the first phase is called “alarm” which represents a generic somatic shock (Pandit, 2016). In this stage I felt that I was in an increased alertness. Moreover, an increased heart rate supplied muscles with energy. That in turn enabled the body to conduct a fight-or-flight response that gets the body ready to cope with the identified threat. During this period my body resources were fully mobilized. The next phase is called “resistance” (Pandit, 2016). During this phase I tried to adjust to the situation. Among visible symptoms, it can be named sluggishness, as well as reduced attentiveness and tiredness. However, I have experienced an adaptive coping strategy. I was trying to solve the stressful event in the most effective manner as much as it was possible. I have packed my belongings, organized the transportation and managed to lessen the influence of my thinking.
According to Selye, the third phase is called “exhausted”, because the body resources and the immune system are exhausted during this period (Pandit, 2016). My physical and mental exhaustion have caused the increase in my susceptibility to diseases. Furthermore, I understood that my tolerance to the stress has decreased. Besides, I have noticed that I was unable to sleep or relax. Another thing that I need to mention is that physical deformities of the skin were seen. Those include rashes, acne and slight lines on the face.
The key point to note is that such colossal experience of a stress situation could have seriously impacted my health. There is evidence that such stressful events might influence the immune and respiratory systems. Researchers point out that there are a lot of stress-related diseases and target organs (Everly & Lating, 2003).
The essential point on which I differ is that the “mind” can appear as a target organ. The mind-body connection is tightly related to emotional arousal, which has transformed into a change in a body. That in turn can negatively influence both mind and body. Furthermore, mind problems can impact one’s perception of his/her future goals. After a stressful situation an individual can underestimate his/her life goals or rethink them fundamentally and change them at all. The same can be said about motivation. Experiencing such type of event can change the motivation of a person and even reverse it. It is undeniably true that humans tend to rethink their lives, goals and orientations. Thus, facing a stressful situation and finding a way of managing, it can be an impulse to alterations in life. On the other hand, experiences of stress can give a foundation of new and more eligible life goals. It all depends on how a person copes with an arisen problem.
In conclusion, it would be appropriate to say that we are going to face stressful events all the way through our lives. Moreover, it is essential to comprehend that the way how you deal with the stressful situations will surely define how well you can cope with the stress.
References
Everly, G., & Lating, J. (2003). A clinical guide to the treatment of the human stress response. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum.
Pandit, S. (2016). Stages of General Adaptation Syndrome Model by Hans Selye. Buzzle. Retrieved 15 May 2016, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/stages-of-general-adaptation-syndrome-model-by-hans-selye.html
