1. Stressssssssssssin. Brought to you by your wellness center

2. Group Agreements Respect: treat people the way that you want to be treated. One Mic “I” Statements Confidentiality Others…?

3. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to: 1. Define stress, its symptoms, and effects 2. Learn the importance of reducing stress 3. Practice specific techniques to reduce stress 4. Find the Wellness Center

4. What is Stress? Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way.

5. Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms Cognitive SymptomsEmotional Symptoms Memory problems Inability to concentrate Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying Moodiness Irritability or short temper Agitation, inability to relax Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness Physical SymptomsBehavioral Symptoms Aches and pains Diarrhea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Loss of sex drive Frequent colds Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

6. Your Body’s Response to Stress Heart pounds faster Muscles tighten Blood pressure rises Breath quickens Senses sharpen

7. Many health problems are caused or exacerbated by stress Pain of any kind Heart disease Digestive problems Sleep problems Depression Obesity Autoimmune diseases Skin conditions, such as eczema

8. Top Ten Stressful Life Events Spouse’s death Divorce Marriage separation Jail term Death of a close relative Injury or illness Marriage Fired from job Marriage reconciliation Retirement Source: Holmes-Rahe Life Stress InventoryHolmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory

9. Things that influence your stress tolerance level Your support network Your sense of control Your attitude and outlook Your ability to deal with your emotions Your knowledge and preparation

10. So what can you do?

11. so what can you REALLY do….? Learn how to manage stress Strengthen your relationships Learn how to relax Care as much about your wellbeing as you do about your GPA …?

12. Unhealthy ways of coping with stress Smoking Drinking too much Overeating or undereating Zoning out for hours in front of the TV or computer Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities Using non-prescribed pills or drugs to relax Sleeping too much Procrastinating Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems Taking out your stress on others (lashing out, angry outbursts, physical violence)

13. Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress Exercise – Walking, running, dancing, swimming, biking – Yoga (Wednesdays after school in room S-104) Sleep – 7-9 Hours per night Get Support

14. Healthy Ways to Deal with Academic Stress Get extra help – To get a CSF tutor, go to lowellcsf.atspace.com Talk to your teacher Get Organized: Use a planner, make a schedule

15. MONTUESWEDTHURSFRISATSUN 7amBREAKFAST SLEEP 8amSCHOOL SLEEP 9amSCHOOL BREAKFAST 10amSCHOOL SCHOOL/PSYCH TESTSTUDY:MATHHIKE 11amSCHOOL BIKE RIDEHIKE 12pmLUNCH/FRIENDS LUNCH/STUDY:PSY LUNCH/WALKFRIENDSLUNCH 1pmSCHOOL FRIENDSSTUDY: CHEM 2pmSCHOOL SCHOOL/APUSH TESTLUNCHFAMILY TIME 3pmSCHOOL MUSEUMFAMILY TIME 4pm Hang out w/ FriendsGSA MEETINGYOGAFRIENDS MUSEUMSEE A MOVIE 5pm Hang out w/ FriendsSTUDY: PSYSTUDY: APUSH FRIENDSSTUDY:ENGSEE A MOVIE 6pmDinner DINNER 7pmSTUDY: MATH LISTEN TO MUSICSTUDY: PSYCH??? STUDY:ENG 8pmGOSSIP GIRLSTUDY: ENGSTUDY: CHEMSTUDY:ENG/MATH??? FACEBOOK, IM, ETC 9pmSTUDY: APUSH FACEBOOK, IM, ETCSTUDY: ENGRELAX/SLEEP??? STUDY:PSYCH 10pmSTUDY: CHEM STUDY: APUSH/CHEMSTUDY:MATHSLEEP??? RELAX/SLEEP 11pmRELAX/SLEEP SLEEP??? RELAX/SLEEP

16. More Healthy Ways to Deal with Academic Stress Help us change the current culture of stress at Lowell – Do your part to make Lowell a less stressful place: ENOUGH WITH THE COMPETITION – Talk with teachers about your workload and stress levels – Thank those teachers who are understanding and support you – Stay tuned with the Wellness Center because we are trying to change the system

17. Take care of yourself, you are worth it!!!!!! THE END