Managing Stress

Identifying Personal Cause of Stress Life Events Getting Driver’s License Graduation Applying to College or Job Moving Physical Stressors Pollution Excessive Noise Physical Injury

Identifying Personal Causes of Stress Daily Hassles Time Pressures Responsibilities Deadlines

Avoiding Stress with Refusal Skills You may be able to avoid certain stressful situations Walk away Say no at appropriate times

Ways to Manage Stress Plan Ahead Get Adequate Sleep Think about variations in your plan as necessary Prepare for unexpected changes Get Adequate Sleep Lack of Sleep can effect your ability to concentrate 8 to 9 hours per night is recommended for teens

Ways to Manage Stress Get Regular Physical Activity Your body as excess nervous energy it needs to get rid of Results in you feeling more relaxed Eat Nutritious Food Eat regular meals Avoid snacking all day Avoid not eating at all Limit “Comfort Foods” Limit Caffeine Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Stress Management Techniques Redirect your energy Work on something creative Relax and laugh Relaxation techniques include: deep breathing, thinking pleasant thoughts, stretching Keep a Positive Outlook Seek out support

Overcoming Test Anxiety Plan for tests well in advance, studying a little bit every night Learn to outline material, highlighting and numbering important points so you can spot them quickly During the test, do some deep breathing. Get comfortable in your chair. Answer all the questions you are sure of; then go back to answer the ones that are more difficult After getting your corrected test back, examine you mistakes and try to understand why you made them.