We begin this week with how our bodies respond to stress.  We can see how God has made our bodies with the ability to deal with stress and how to de-stress.  We have been created with what science calls our “autonomic nervous system” which is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.  Our response to stress usually happens without our having to consciously do anything.  It helps us to decide if this is a “fight, flight, or fright” moment, which then leads to whatever action we take.  Then the parasympathetic nervous system takes over and helps our body go back to its normal state. 

• Go to the OER Website: https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/46663-abnormal-psychology/view
  • Read in Unit 6 – Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders
    • Stress, Lifestyle, and Health
    • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Go to the OER Website:  https://opentext.wsu.edu/abnormal-psych/front-matter/table-of-contents/
  • Read Module 5: Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
• Consider the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system.
  
• Prepare to engage in discussion explaining the difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.  Be sure to discuss what would happen if any aspect of the sympathetic nervous system, such as the heart or digestive tract continued to respond if stressed for a great length of time.