Invitation to Psychology

ChapTER 13 Emotion, Stress, and Health 471

The most immediate way to deal with the

physiological tension of stress and negative emo­

tions is to take time out and reduce the body’s

physical arousal. One beneficial way is through

the ancient practice of meditation, whether for

Eastern purposes of enlightenment or Western

purposes of well­being (Sedlmeier et al., 2012).

There are various ways of meditating, but they

all foster emotional tranquility by helping people

accept feelings of anger, sadness, or anxiety with­

out judging those emotions or trying to get rid

of them—a form of secondary control (Davidson

et al., 2003; Moyer et al., 2011). Another effective

buffer between stressors and illness is exercise.

People who are physically fit have fewer health

problems than people who are less fit even when

they are under the same pressures. They also show

lower physiological arousal to stressors (Otto &

Smits, 2011; Vita et al., 1998). These activities,

along with any others that calm your body and

focus your mind—including prayer, massage,

music, dancing, or baking bread—are all good

coping methods. But if your house has burned

down or you need a serious operation, other strat­

egies will be necessary.

Watch the Video In the Real World: Reducing

Stress, Improving Health at MyPsychLab

Solving the Problem LO 13.16

Years ago, at the age of 23, a friend of ours named

Simi Linton was struck by tragedy. Linton, her

new husband, and her best friend were in a hor­

rific car accident. When she awoke in a hospital

Recite & Review

Recite: You will never forgive yourself if you don’t recite aloud what you know about hostility and

health, depression and health, the benefits of confessing secrets, and the benefits of forgiveness.

Review: Next, read this section again.

Now Take This Quick Quiz:

1. Which aspect of Type A behavior is most hazardous to the heart? (a) working hard, (b) being in
   a hurry, (c) cynical hostility, (d) irritability in traffic, (e) general grumpiness


2. Amber has many worries about being in college, but she is afraid to tell anyone. What might
   be the healthiest solution for her? (a) trying not to think about her feelings, (b) writing down her
   feelings and then rereading and rethinking what she wrote, (c) talking frequently about her wor-
   ries to anyone who will listen, (d) tweeting her friends about her moods


3. We are giving away an answer to #2, but why might answer d not be helpful to Amber?
   Answers:

Study and Review at MyPsychLab

Sending tweets, or posting her feelings on her Facebook page, might make Amber momentarily feel good, but 3. b2. c1.

she probably won’t retrieve those messages later to reread and rethink about what she wrote, and rethinking her story is the

important element.

You are about to learn...

• ways of calming the body when you are feeling
stressed.

• the difference between emotion-focused and
problem-focused coping.

• how to reduce stress by rethinking and
reappraising your problems.

• the benefits and limitations of social support.

Coping With Stress

We have noted that most people who are under
stress, even those living in difficult situations, do
not become ill. In addition to feeling optimistic
and in control, being conscientious, and not wal­
lowing around in negative emotions, how do they
manage to cope?

These two friends know all about surviving and thriving.