Performance Standard MSCM8-2: Students will develop management skills that lead to academic and career success. Analyze the impact of stress and the importance of time and money management skills for academic, social, and career success. Written by Barbara Mackessy

Oral Pre-test on Stress What is stress? What causes stress? How can people deal with stress? Is stress good or bad? Does everyone have stress? Is stress the same for teenagers and adults? What are the types of stress? What is the biggest cause of stress?

Stress Word Wall Stressor Adolescence Emotional Mental Stressful Forget it Physical Management Problems Prioritize Fix it

Let’s Not Stress Out About It! Stress Management for Middle School Students

What is Stress? The inability to cope with a perceived or real threat to one’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being Physical, mental or emotional tension or strain A response to a demand placed on you.

People and events do not cause stress People and events do not cause stress. Your reaction to people and events is what causes stress. You allow stress to happen! You allow things to bother you!

Key Points Stress is a fact of life. Stress is the response to the demands placed on us in our lives. Stress can be positive/good. Can serve as a motivator Can help us reassess our lives Can help us look at and reorganize our thoughts and plans. Keep us at our best game plan

Key Points Stress can be negative/bad!!! Can cause health issues Can cause persons not to perform at their highest potential Can cause a person not to reach his/her goals Can cause a person to give up

Stress and Adolescence Adolescence represents the potential to be one of the most stressful developmental phases in life. Physical changes Emotional changes Influence of peers and friends (peer pressure) Feeling of wanting to belong Transition from childhood to teenage years and then on to adulthood

Causes of Stress Among Adolescents Problems with peers (friendships; bullying, not fitting in, relationships with boyfriends/girlfriends) Family issues or problems with parents School related pressures (grades, school work, organization, time management) Personal thoughts, feelings, behaviors (getting into trouble, being depressed)

Other Causes of Adolescent Stress Grades Not making a team Illness or family health issues Death of a loved one Moving to a new school/community Trying to do too many activities Financial problems Unsafe living/learning environment

Adult Stress-Major events Below are the top events that cause adult stress (based on Holmes-Raye scale) Divorce Death of a spouse Marriage Pregnancy Purchasing a home Christmas Jail term Death of close relative Injury or illness Being fired/terminated from a job Marriage reconciliation Retirement

Internal Causes of Stress Not all stress is caused by external pressures or demands. Some times stress is self-generated. Some internal causes of stress include: Uncertainty Pessimism Self-criticism Trying to always be perfect Having a low self-esteem Having unrealistic expectations of oneself Frustrations Decisions Social life

Stressful Jobs Five Most Stressful Jobs President of the United States (based on Jobs Rated Almanac) President of the United States Firefighter Senior corporate executive Race car driver Taxi driver

(based on Jobs Rated Almanac) Stressful Jobs Least Stressful Jobs (based on Jobs Rated Almanac) Medical records technician Janitor Forklift operator Musical instrument repairer Florist

Signs of Stress Mental Symptoms Emotional Symptoms Inability to concentrate Constant worrying Having trouble thinking clearly Memory problems Having trouble making decisions Poor judgment Academic pressures Emotional Symptoms Restlessness Short temper Impatience Feeling overwhelmed Feeling lonely or isolated Being moody Being easily agitated or frustrated

Signs of Stress (cont’d) Behavioral Symptoms Change in eating habits Change in sleeping habits Isolation Procrastinating Using alcohol/drugs Grinding teeth Picking fights Crying Irritable Fatigued Depressed Physical Symptoms Headaches Backaches Muscle tension Diarrhea or constipation Dizziness, nausea Chest pains Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Weigh gain/loss Skin breakouts Rapid heartbeat

Knowing your learning style can help to reduce your stress level Knowing your learning style can help to reduce your stress level. What is your learning style? verbal/linguistic logical/mathematical visual/spatial physical/bodily kinesthetic auditory/musical

Fight or Flight (the body’s biological response to stress) The body often goes through biological changes to prepare us for emergency action during stressful situations. When danger is sensed, the hypothalamus (a small part of the brain) sets of a chemical alarm. The nervous system then releases stress hormones, including adrenaline. These hormones quickly move through the bloodstream preparing us to either flee the scene or fight it out. Heart rate increases and flow of blood to the muscles increase. The digestive and reproductive systems relax because they are not essential to immediate survival in most of these situations. It is not healthy to stay in this state for extended periods of time—may cause long term shut down of some of bodily functions and/or other major health issues.

Stress Management—How to Cope Change the situation Avoid the stressor Alter the stressor Change your reaction Accept the stressor Adapt to the stressor

Stress Management Strategy #1 Work on time management Avoid unnecessary stress Learn to say no Avoid people who cause you stress Cut down on your “to do” list Learn to prioritize

Stress Management Strategy #2 Alter the situation Change things so the problem may be avoided in the future May involve changing the way you communicate with others Express your feelings rather than letting things build up. Be willing to compromise Be more assertive Manage your time better.

Stress Management Strategy #3 Accept the things you can’t change Don’t try to control things that are out of your control Look at the bright side Share your feelings Learn to forgive Reframe problems Adjust your standards Adjust your attitude

Stress Management Strategy #4 Adopt a healthy lifestyle Exercise regularly Eat healthy Reduce sugar and caffeine intake Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs Get plenty of sleep Decrease negative self talk and conversations with others Take a break from stressful situations

Stress Management-The bottom line Learn to love yourself and to have respect for yourself and others.

Stress is response to demands placed on us in our lives. Identify the source of stress Learn to Prioritize Change how you handle things - Fix it or Forget it (you do not have control over all things)

Things that you do not control What other people say What other people do Race Death Gravitational Pull Wild animals Birth defects Day/Night Plant rotation Sun Ocean If other people like you The past History Tides Terrorist Floods Clouds Events planned by others. How tall you will be Facial features Weather Time Your parents Your family When and how much you grow Your name Location of your home Accidents Natural disasters Wars Riots Gas prices Laws Regulations DNA

REMEMBER What we need to face stress is to think clearly. The biggest cause of stress is you! Different things cause stress for different people.

Remember Some stress is alright, but too much can hinder your performance. Five stress control techniques are Breathing Muscle relaxation Think positive Accept and express feelings Fix it or forget it!

Ways to Manage Stress Add balance to your life Don’t overdo any one part of your life Accept who you are Take “time outs” Exercise regularly Watch your breathing Walk more Practice relaxation activities Study daily in each subject Discuss problems with others

Let’s Review 1. What is stress? 2. What causes stress? 3. How can people deal with stress? 4. Is stress good or bad? 5. Does everyone have stress? 6. Is stress the same for teenagers and adults? Why? 7. What are the types of stress? 8. What is the biggest cause of stress?

Our Stress What are the biggest causes of stress for this class? Students need to make a list of what has caused stress for them this year. The student’s list will be put together to form a long list that represents the class to see what the biggest cause of stress is for all of you right now. What can you do about that stress?

Causes for Middle School Students Grades After school activities Competitions People watching you work Messing up in front of others Doing something new Moving to a new school Parents fighting Girl/boy friend problems/situations New experiences Sibling rivalry Saying no to friends Peer pressure Getting into trouble What you look like Having to work faster No living up to expectations What others can you add?