1. Stress

2. What is Stress?
Stress is a physical, mental or emotional tension you feel when dealing with change OR
Your body’s response to change

3. Eustress
A good stress, helps motivate us to do something but not feel to overwhelmed.
Distress
Bad stress that causes pain, anxiety, and sorrow

4. What is a stressor? Anything that causes us stress
Teen Top 4 Stressors
School
Friends
Family
Appearance

5. Eustress (positive stress)
Eustress causes these symptoms:
Good feelings
Feeling of excitement
Motivation
Peak Performance
Higher Achievement

6. Distress (too much stress)
Distress causes these symptoms:
Feeling worried and Uptight
Discomfort and Illness
Lower Performance Level
Feeling tired

7. No Stress Too little stress causes these symptoms:
Bored and Low motivation
No Growth
Lower Performance Level

8. Physical Symptoms Heart beats faster Breathe faster
Butterflies (stomach ache)
Cold hands or feet
Excessive sweating
Headaches/tense muscles
Loss of appetite/over eating
Inability to sleep/excessive sleeping
Constipation/diarrhea
Constant fatigue

9. Emotional symptoms Crying Moodiness Irritability / impatience
short temper
Can’t concentrate
Racing thoughts
Anxiety / panic attacks
Withdrawing
Depression
Restlessness

10. Behavioral Symptoms Not caring about appearance Procrastination
Grinding teeth
Pacing, tapping, nail biting
Nervous laughter
Smoking/alcohol use
Aggressive behavior
Pulling hair
Eating more or less
Sleeping too much or too little

11. Alarm Stage The body recognizes a stressor
You experience the “fight or flight” response.

12. Fight or Flight
Adrenaline is released into the body preparing one to be ready for physical activity
Look at the following diagram to see some of the changes that take place with the release of adrenaline

13. Fight or Flight
Story of St. George – Ghost Town

14. Resistance Stage
These physical changes prepare a person to react quickly and effectively to handle the pressure of the moment. OR
The person runs or flees

15. Exhaustion Stage
The body can no longer cope with the stress and you become physically or mentally exhausted

16. Why is stress harmful for us?
We can’t run from the stress
We can’t fight the stress
Leads to physical problems
increase blood pressure
lower immune system
insomnia
digestive problems
acne

17. Positive, Negative or No Stress
Going to math class

18. Positive, Negative or No Stress
Taking a roller coaster ride

19. Positive, Negative or No Stress
Watching a scary movie
BOO

20. Positive, Negative or No Stress
Holding a snake

21. Positive, Negative or No Stress
Getting your report card

22. Positive, Negative or No Stress
Going to a dance

23. Positive, Negative or No Stress
Giving a speech to the class

24. Body Stress Tips Deep Breathing Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Physical Activities
Stretching
Yoga
A Massage
Soaking in a hot tub

25. Mind Stress Tips Meditation Reading Visualization
Listening to calming music
Movies
Games
Puzzles
Hobbies and crafts

26. SOOO… CREATE SOMETHING!
Art Therapy!
Why?
Art therapy combines traditional theories and techniques with an understanding of the creative process.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process of art is both healing and life enhancing.
SOOO… CREATE SOMETHING!

27. Write! Let your feelings out!
Why?
It can help to write about things that are bothering you. Write to a parent, friend, teacher, or YOURSELF about your feelings.
This helps you feel better and is a healthy way to relieve stress.
SOOOO…. WRITE SOMETHING!

28. Play Games! Why? Getting your mind off your stressors can be helpful.
Playing games can help you relax and rest before facing your stress.
SOOOO….. PLAY!

29. SOOO… Get ready to LAUGH!
Humor Therapy!
Why?
Because laughter is the best medicine!
Benefits of laughter:
Laughter dissolves tension, anxiety, irritation, anger, grief, and depression.
Laughter increases the immune system.
Laughter can help you think more clearly.
Did you know… kids laugh about 400 times per day! Adults laugh only about 14 times a day.
SOOO… Get ready to LAUGH!

30. Sleep Therapy
Sometimes you just haven’t had enough sleep and your body is worn out. Make sure you are getting all of the sleep you need when you are feel to stressed out!