1. Chapter 9: Managing Stress in Your Life
A health education presentation for 8th grade students by :
Lauren Case, Marquita Houston,
Veda Rammohan & Lindsey Robinson
Pic from clipart

2. What is Stress?
Definition – Stress is the body’s and mind’s reaction to everyday demands or threats
Produce changes in mind and body
What does stress mean to you?
There are generally 2 types of stress:
1) Eustress
2) Distress
Image from clipart

3. Eustress Eustress is the “good” kind of stress
Something pleasing will result at the end of the stressful situation
Examples:
Planning a wedding
Planning a party
Completing your last semester before graduating from high school
Pic from clip art

4. Distress Distress is a displeasing kind of stress
It is the “bad” kind of stress
It causes the most harm to your body
Examples:
Death of a pet or a loved one
You lost your wallet
Financial problems

5. Types of Stressors Stressors: can be internal or external
trigger the stress response in your body
generate stress
can be either biological, environmental, cognitive, personal/behavioral or life situational

6. Biological Stressors Biochemical imbalances
Mental or physical illnesses
Disabilities
Injuries

7. Environmental Stressors
Hurricanes
Poverty
Pollution
Crowding
Natural Disasters

8. Cognitive Stressors Inability to solve a problem
Pressure to come up with a
creative project
Working on something you feel is unethical
Have to do with the way you perceive a problem or what you expect from it

9. Personal/Behavioral Stressors
‘Negative reactions’ from mind, body caused by:
Using tobacco
Using alcohol
Not exercising
Not eating properly

10. Life Situations Stressors
Breaking up with your boyfriend/girlfriend
Having a pet or family member die
Divorce
Trouble among close friends

11. Body’s Response to Stress
Your body responds to stress is described by the term General Adaptation Syndrome
It describes the body’s short-term and long-term reaction to stress
It is a 3-stage response

12. GAS - General Adaptation Syndrome Chart
Beth’s notes from Emotional Health HSC 3134

13. GAS: Stage 1: Alarm This is your immediate reaction to a stressor
Starts a “fight or flight” response
This prepares your body for physical activity
Your body is weak during this stage and you are more likely to get sick

14. GAS Stage 2: Resistance
This stage is where your body adapts to stress, or the stressor you are exposing it to
Your body balances and incorporates any changes to reduce the effect of the stressor
Ex: You have not eaten all day
Your body’s response is to decrease your desire for physical activity, conserving energy and maximizing nutrient absorption

15. GAS Stage 3: Fatigue The stress has continued
Body’s resistance to the stressor has reduced
Long-term effect
More susceptible to high blood pressure, heart attacks or severe infection

16. Health Effects of Stress
Short term and long term exposure to stressors in your life can lead to health problems
Four categories of health effects:
Physical
Emotional
Mental
Behavioral
From clip art

17. Effects of Stress
What do you think?
Name some examples.
From clip art

18. Physical Effects of Stress
Some physical effects of stress include:
Headaches
Diarrhea
Insomnia
Upset stomach
Tics/nervous twitches
Back pain
Ringing in ears
From clip art

19. Emotional Effects of Stress
Some emotional effects of stress include:
Frustration
Nervousness
Boredom
Impatience
Mood swings
Low self-esteem
Loneliness
From clip art

20. Mental Effects of Stress
Some mental effects of stress include:
Trouble thinking or reading clearly
Lack of creativity
Constant worry
Obsessive thoughts
Unable to make decisions
Forgetfulness
Losing sense of humor and perspective
From clip art

21. Behavioral Effects of Stress
Some behavioral effects of stress include:
Not eating/Overeating
Compulsive talking
Verbal/Physical Outbursts
Using alcohol, caffeine and other drugs
Smoking
Gambling
Driving too fast/other high-risk behaviors

22. Managing Stress – Step 1 1) IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
What is the problem?
What is causing the stress?
Source = Clear or Unclear
The stress can even be a COMBINATION of stressors
This makes finding the problem more difficult

23. Managing Stress – Step 2 2a) Eliminate the stressor
Change the way you react to the stressor
Get a new perspective on the stressful situation – Learn from the stressor OR
2b) Engage in physical activity
Releases ‘endorphins’ which help take your mind off the stressor

24. Handling Stress – Physical Activity
Get moving! Studies have shown that by increasing physical activity, you:
Increase the flow of oxygen in your body
Release endorphins
Feel better!
Reduce stress

25. Handling Stress – Physical Activity
Relax and laugh!
"The art of medicine consists of keeping the
patient amused while nature heals the
disease” - Voltaire
A good hearty laugh can:
Reduce stress
Lower Blood pressure
MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD!
Gif from

26. Handling Stress – Re-channeling Energy
Turn negative energy into positive actions and thoughts
Clean the house
Walking/Exercise
Unable to put physical distance between you and the stressor? Take a mental break!
Close your eyes and relax
Listen to soothing music

27. Handling Stress – Relaxation Techniques
Abdominal breathing
Yoga
Meditation
Massage

28. Handling Stress – Yoga
Video clip explaining Yoga and how it relieves stress

29. Handling Stress - Support
Talk to individuals you trust
Parents, teachers, coaches, siblings, close friends, clergy
Support groups
“Informal or formal gathering of people who meet and share experiences, feelings, and trust”
Church youth groups, club meetings

30. Handling Stress – Time Management Skills
These are ways to plan and manage time in an effective, healthful way
Set priorities
Goals, tasks or activities that you feel are more important to do than others
Decide which things to do in which order
Can help you organize your day & reduce stress

31. Handling Stress – Time Management Skills
Write down your priorities
Use calendars and day planners to help plan your days, weeks and months
Set long and short-term goals to help you stay on task
Ultimately reduce stress
and guide you to success in life