1. STRESS!!!! What stresses you out?

2. What is stress? The body’s and mind’s reaction to a demand or threat Stress can be minor and go unnoticed, or major and drastically affect your life!

3. What is a stressor? Something that causes stress! ▫Causes a stress response in your body Different types of stressors ▫Noises, people, objects, places, events, situations, etc.

4. Stress can be positive or negative!! DISTRESSEUSTRESS Negative stress ▫Caused by too much pressure or trauma ▫Occurs when someone does not know how to cope with a stressor Positive stress ▫Can help you reach goals ▫Makes a person feel in control

5. How a person reacts …. DISTRESSEUSTRESS Nervous Forgetful Frightened Confused Unsure Alert Focused Motivated Energized Confident

6. SHORT TERM PHYSCIAL SYMPTOMS OF STRESS  Faster Heart Beat  Increased Sweating  Cool Skin  Cold Hands & Feet  Feelings of Nausea, or “Butterflies in Stomach”  Rapid Breathing  Tense Muscles  Dry Mouth  A Desire to Urinate  Diarrhea

7. Physical Disorders Emotional/Behavioral High Blood Pressure Migraine & Tension Headaches Ulcers Colds & Flu Muscle Tension Problems TMJ Syndrome Chronic Fatigue Depression Possibly Cancer & Arthritis Anxiety Panic Attacks Depression Conduct Disorders Eating Disorders Alcoholism Drug Addiction Hyperchondricism

8. Stress Interventions Eliminate Stressor Use Selective Awareness Use Relaxation Techniques:  Meditation  Progressive Relaxation  Body Scanning  Autogenic Training  Humor Therapy  Yelling & Crying  Art Therapy  Music Therapy Stress Management Techniques:  Time Management  Participate in Physical Activity  Be Physically Healthy  Use a Support Group  Have a Spiritual Connection  Get Professional Help

9. Problem Solving Your Stress On a blank piece of paper list all the stressors you can think of that currently cause you stress. ▫Don’t hesitate and analyze – just write! From your list, determine the 5 most stressful stressors and star/circle them.

10. Label your top 5 stressors: NC: those that you have no control over $: those that are important to you - : those that are of little importance to you  : those causing you to worry or lose sleep : those you spend little time worrying about For each answer YES or NO: ▫Are the benefits greater than the stress it will create to deal with the stressor?

11. Now look over your responses and in a paragraph complete the following: ▫The most significant thing I learned about my stressors is that …………….. ▫Now that I know that ………………….