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Environmental stressors to health
Published in Alberto Urrutia-Moldes, Health and Well-Being in Prison Design, 2022
People can live without daylight for long periods without realising the effects of lack of natural light209. Insufficient exposure to sunlight is associated with low positive emotions210 but it was not until 2002 that a real biological connection between light and body functioning was found211. Today, we know that light signals are processed and passed from the eye retina to the pineal gland, which is responsible for secreting both the hormones melatonin and cortisol. Melatonin, which is mainly produced during the dark hours of the 24-hour cycle, is commonly known as the sleep hormone because it regulates the sleep/awake body system, synchronising several psychobiological functions212. Similarly, cortisol hormones, produced mainly during the early morning, increase blood sugar levels and improve the immune system, thus preparing the body for activity and avoiding being affected by negative stress. Because of this, cortisol is called a stress hormone. Both melatonin and cortisol secretion can be easily imbalanced or even disrupted due to exposure to inadequate lighting conditions at the wrong time, which often occurs in prisons.
The Neuroscience of Supervision
Published in Tracey Harris, Successful Supervision and Leadership, 2020
Stress is an oversupply of cortisol (stress hormone) that stays in our body if we remain in a hypervigilant state. Over time, if cortisol is not released from the body, it stays trapped in our muscles and results in adrenal burnout. Stress impacts physical and mental health, the immune system and our emotions. Cortisol is released into the body when it perceives there is a threat, or we are unsafe. It keeps us alert to what is around us and assists to provide adrenalin to mobilise us if needed. When burnout is present, the brain may perceive a false imminent threat and release cortisol to maintain high alert. If too much cortisol is present over time, it is inevitable that the burnout will accumulate. Understanding the impact of stress can support the recovery process and have a well-being plan in place that reduces the impact of stress. We all respond to and deal with stress in different ways. Knowing what to look for and understand the types of stress that present in the workplace is crucial in providing positive health and well-being outcomes in the long term (Rock, 2009).
Stemming A Dirty Tide: Long Point Bay, Lake Erie
Published in J. Rose, Water and the Environment, 2017
Thomas H. Whillans, George R. Francis, A. P. (Lino) Grima, Henry A. Regier, Fikret Berkes
Although each of these user groups benefits from the attributes of its particular resource base, it also acts to stress that resource base and others. Stress in this sense is not necessarily harmful; it could be a beneficial stimulus, but it does involve some deviation from the normal systemic trajectory. Natural events also cause stress. Five basic classes of stress have been active in the Long Point Ecosystem: natural background pressures, harvesting of renewable resources, loading by substances and heat energy, restructuring the morphometric form of water bodies, and introduction of exotic organisms. These classes of stress can be broken down into generic and specific stresses. Table I lists 26 generic stresses and examples of specific stresses that have influenced the Long Point Ecosystem.
Using digital interventions to reduce digitalization-related stress: does it work?
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2023
Katharina F. Pfaffinger, Julia A. M. Reif, Erika Spieß, Jan Philipp Czakert, Rita Berger
Meditation, relaxation or deep-breathing interventions create a physiological state which is contrary to stress. Participants are instructed to either focus their attention and thoughts on one specific object or idea, or to observe their environment from a distance without engaging in it. Without directly confronting individuals with dysfunctional behaviours, ideas or emotions, meditation is a rather passive type of intervention [51] targeting emotion-focused coping. Emotion-focused coping can be an effective way for dealing with stressful situations especially if stressors are not fully controllable by the person affected [1]. Meditation is among the most common types of stress management interventions and can be seen as a strategy to help employees cope more effectively with stress [51].
Relationships between changes in self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in France and Switzerland
Published in Journal of Sports Sciences, 2021
Boris Cheval, Hamsini Sivaramakrishnan, Silvio Maltagliati, Layan Fessler, Cyril Forestier, Philippe Sarrazin, Dan Orsholits, Aïna Chalabaev, David Sander, Nikos Ntoumanis, Matthieu P. Boisgontier
At the time of writing, over a quarter of the worldwide population is in containment to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This stressful context likely has detrimental effects on physical and mental health, as chronic stress is associated with neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and cognitive systems dysregulation (Juster et al., 2010). As physical activity has been shown to protect both physical and mental health (Rebar et al., 2015; Warburton et al., 2006), it could help people cope with COVID-19 related stress and mitigate its detrimental effects on health. Conversely, sedentary behaviour, defined as any waking behaviour in a reclining, sitting, or lying position that requires an energy expenditure lower than 1.5 Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) (Sedentary Behaviour Research Network, 2012), has been shown to have a wide range of relatively independent negative health effects, including adverse metabolic conditions, depression, cognitive decline, quality of life and increased mortality (Boberska et al., 2018; Ekelund et al., 2016; Hamilton et al., 2007; Olanrewaju et al., 2020; Teychenne et al., 2010).
Exploring Dietary Behavior in At-Risk Youth Participating in an After-school Agricultural Program
Published in Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 2020
Diana Cuy Castellanos, Jeanne Holcomb, Felix Fernando, Kellie Schneider, Deborah McCullough
Previous research has established a connection between poor dietary behavior and toxic stress; specifically, children who experience toxic stress are at a higher risk of obesity related to poor dietary behavior. Several studies show a connection between stress and a drive to eat especially palatable, high fat foods.4–6 Stress in youth has been associated with negative dietary intake and high caloric consumption.6,7 Cartwright and colleagues showed linear trends between stress and dietary behavior in school children. Fruit and vegetable intake and breakfast consumption all decreased with more stress but unhealthy snacking behavior and fatty food intake increased. Reasons for the association between negative dietary behavior and stress seem to be caused by a biological and psychological interplay. Cortisol is released during stress and can contribute to dietary intake as well as mood.8 Further, psychological factors such as depression and mood are also associated with dietary intake.9 Addressing issues of stress has the potential of promoting healthier dietary behavior.