1. Managing Stress Palmer High School Health Education

2. Objectives
You will examine the cause and effect of stress in your own life.
You will be able to recognize stress by knowing your physical, mental/emotional and behavioral signs.
You will explore strategies to reduce stress and then create a plan to manage your personal stressors

3. Do teens have stress? Prove it!
Brainstorm with your table-mates! Write down what causes stress in the lives of most teenagers.

4. STRESS
Stress is
….the reaction of the body and mind preparing to meet challenges and demands
Stress requires
….the body to adjust so that it can return to a normal state (homeostasis)
Stress impacts
….all areas of health – not just mental and emotional health

5. Teen Pressure

6. Eustress vs. Distress STRESS
At your table, discuss the difference between distress and eustress.
(Write your definitions in the arrows.)
STRESS
DISTRESS
EUSTRESS

7. Stress Negative or Positive?
Stress becomes negative, distress, when:
You have too much stress
You don’t know how to cope with stress
You are experiencing a distressful situation
Look at your list at the top of your notes – circle ones that could be considered negative

8. Is stress only negative?
Put a box around the responses that would be considered positive, eustress, even though you probably identified them as a problem.
What makes stress positive sometimes?

9. Identify your distress and your eustress!
Stress Can Be Positive
When we are challenged or experiencing eustress, it can help us:
achieve our goals
be more creative
increase our motivation
develop a sense of control and empowerment
Identify your distress and your eustress!
(Write them in your notes)

11. TEASING YOUR BRAIN CAN DE-STRESS YOUR MIND
stand I
Cycle T O w N
Dice
ECNALG
Death Life R
ROAD A D
SIDE SIDE
BAN ANA
Issue Issue
Have the students get out of their seats and partner up with someone to do the puzzles!
TEASING YOUR BRAIN CAN DE-STRESS YOUR MIND

13. STRESSORS
Stressors are anything that cause an individual to feel stress

14. Stressors

15. Categories of Stressors
Right down examples of each category – try to pick ones that are personal to you

16. Biological Stressors Illnesses Disabilities Injuries Migraines Asthma
Allergies
Scoliosis
Diabetes / Arthritis
Acne
What’s missing?

17. Environmental Stressors
Poverty
Pollution
Crowding
Noise
Natural disasters
Weather
Room temperature
Odors
Friends – Family
Peers

18. Cognitive or Thinking Stressors
Negative attitude
Pessimistic
Fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy
Learning difficulties
Dyslexia
ADD
Autism
Struggle with certain subject areas in school
Poor self-esteem

19. Personal Behavior Stressors
Come up with a
list of the different
choices that teens
make that add stress
to their lives.
Personal Choices and Decisions
(Type A or B Personality Test)

20. Type A or B?
Complete the test by choosing where you fit on the continuum.
Get a score to determine whether you are A or B
Read the article on your type – (close to your type)
Identify 3 ways that your personality can add to your stress level – write them in the behavioral box

21. Possible Behavioral Stressors
Skipping class
Procrastinate
Poor preparation
Social media
Phone / texting
Too competitive
Lack of sleep!
Disciplinary issues
Poor communication
Risk taking – impulse!
Don’t eat breakfast
Avoidance
Time management
Poor study skills
Over extended
Having a job + school
Not managing emotions
Don’t think things through

22. Life Situation Stressors
Some stress in our lives can be caused by situations or events that are completely out of our control.
(Life Event Scale Stress Test)
Have the students get up and play some type of game – like the hand slap game. Put them with same gender partners.
Write your top 5 in the life situation column.

24. Deep Breathing Exercise
Inhale through your nose, expanding your belly, then fill your chest. Counting to 5
Hold and count to 3. Feel all your cells filled with golden, healing balancing sunlight and energy
Exhale fully from slightly parted mouth. Feel your cells releasing waste.

26. Stages of Stress The Stress Response
Alarm Stage
Resistance Stage
Fatigue Stage

27. ALARM STAGE Stress Response begins
Adrenaline released (emergency hormone)
Physical changes preparing you to defend yourself or flee from danger – what are they?
Danger comes in many forms
ALARM STAGE
Pupils dilate
Increased perspiration
Faster heart rate
Rise in blood pressure
Respiration increases
Increased blood flow to muscles
Increased blood flow to brain
Decreased blood flow to organs/skin
Muscle tension increases
Release of blood sugar

28. Resistance Stage
If exposure to a stressor continues, you either fight or take flight!
You are able to perform at a higher level of endurance or strength
Some people have accomplished incredible feats during this stage – such as lifting an automobile to save a trapped child

29. Exhaustion Stage
When exposure to stress continues, you will experience fatigue.
Physiological
Psychological
Pathological
At this stage your ability to manage other stressors is very low.
Both the mind and the body have become exhausted.

30. Read to Enhance Your Knowledge
Read pages 198 – 201 in the Health text

32. Stress Reduction Activity
Get it out….let it go

34. How can you tell when you are not managing your stress and are experiencing….. STRESS OVERLOAD?

35. WHAT ARE YOUR SIGNS OF STRESS OVER-LOAD?
Find the place in your notes where space has been provided to take notes on the signs of stress. Try to identify your own signs of stress.
WHAT ARE YOUR SIGNS OF STRESS OVER-LOAD?

36. Physical Signs Headaches Asthma Upset stomach Pounding heart Dizziness
Stiff neck
Weight loss / gain
Constant fatigue
Heart burn
Increased sweating
Dry mouth
Skin rash
Trembling or twitching
Grinding teeth
Biting Nails
Shortness of breath

37. Mental / Emotional Signs
Irritability
Anger
Impatience
Nervousness
Forgetfulness
Inability to concentrate
Nightmares
Panic attacks
Negative thinking
Excessive worry
Self-criticism
Increased crying
Mood swings
Confusion
Feelings of helplessness
Aggressiveness

38. Behavioral Signs Loss of appetite Over-eating Under-eating
Self medicating
Sleep problems
Restlessness
Hurrying
Lateness
Procrastinating
Talking fast
Withdrawing from relationships
Being critical of others
Reckless behavior
Fidgeting
Accidents
Not caring about appearance

39. Psychosomatic Response
A physical reaction that results from stress rather than from an injury or illness.
Read pages 202 – 203
Record examples of this condition – if possible, pick ones that you have experienced

41. Looking Back – Looking forward

42. What can you do to manage your stress in a healthy and effective way
What can you do to manage your stress in a healthy and effective way? (Read pages 206 – 208)

43. Ways to Avoid or Manage Stress
Use refusal skills
Plan ahead
Get enough sleep
Exercise regularly
Eat nutritiously
Avoid mood altering substances

44. Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is associated with long-term problems that are beyond a person’s control that can’t be eliminated

45. Stress Management Techniques for Chronic Stress
Redirect your energy – (get your mind off the problem) – find a hobby or activity that relaxes you
Relax and laugh
Try to keep a positive attitude keeping issues in perspective
Seek out help and support from good friends, family or professional counselors if necessary
Avoid using substances to self-medicate

46. Just a little laugh makes a big difference on your stress level!

47. The Benefits of Laughter
Relaxes your muscles
Lowers stress
Decreases pain
Eases anxiety
Improves mood
Boosts immunity
Adds joy and zest
Strengthens relationships
Promotes bonding
Defuses conflict

48. Reinforcement Reading
Read the stress article – specifically the last 2 pages
As you read, try to relate the information to your own life.

49. Effects of stress on the body

50. Progressive muscle relaxation activity

51. personal stress inventory assignment
You will be identifying your own stressors, what type of stressors that you currently face, how it is affecting your health, and what you can do to manage the stress in your life.