Stress Management 2/23/2019 TEK: HE1H

What is stress? What is a stressor? The body's reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment What is a stressor? Stress the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment. A stressor is anything that causes stress. Anything that causes stress 2/23/2019

Stress can affect all areas of our lives, but is all stress bad? What makes a stress positive or negative? Discuss that everyone has stress. Allow students to offer suggestions. 2/23/2019

How you respond to a stressor or how you let it affect you can make it positive or negative. What might be a positive stressor for one person could be a negative stressor for another. “How we handle stress makes it a positive stress or a negative stress. What might be positive for one person could be negative for another. The goal is to try to use stress as motivation to do something positive. It’s hard to do that for all stressors.” 2/23/2019

Positive Stress = Eustress If it helps you achieve something, it is a positive stressor. Negative Stress = Distress If it keeps you from regular daily activity, it is a negative stressor. 2/23/2019

Not always, but we do have control over how we let Do we have control Over what causes Us stress? Discuss with class. Not always, but we do have control over how we let it affect us. 2/23/2019

What is Environmental stress? NATURAL DISASTERS Pressure on the environment caused by human activities or by natural events “Environmental stressors are conditions or events in your physical environment that cause you stress. Examples include pollution, overcrowding, poverty, natural disasters and noise.” When discussing with students, you can bring up examples such as hurricane Katrina and recent Oklahoma tornadoes. Can anyone name some recent natural disasters that have caused stress? POLLUTION 2/23/2019

What is a Biological stressor? Conditions that make it difficult Conditions that make it difficult for your body to take part in daily activities. “This could be the physical and mental stress you have to deal with if you had to walk around school on crutches, go up the stairs on crutches, leave a class early to get to the next class on time, etc.” Conditions that make it difficult for your body to take part in daily activity (illness, a disability, injury) 2/23/2019

What is a thinking stressor? Anything that challenges us mentally (taking a test, homework) Anything that challenges us mentally. “This is not always a bad thing!” 2/23/2019

What are Behavioral stressors? Unhealthy choices we make put stress on our bodies physically. (smoking, not exercising, bad eating habits) Unhealthy behaviors such as not getting enough sleep or exercise, poor eating habits, using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, 2/23/2019

What are life-Change stressors? Any major life change, good or bad, can cause stress. “Getting married can cause stress due to planning the wedding and joining two separate lives. In some cases you have to learn how to live with one another, share money, pay bills, and make decisions together. Sometimes this can be hard for people who have been independent for many years.” Any major life change, positive or negative (death of a loved one, getting married, graduating) 2/23/2019

Describe the body’s fight or flight response to stress. During fight or flight, your body produces adrenaline which provides you with energy, reflexes, and strength you may need to respond to a stressor. Our body releases adrenaline when dealing with stressors - some more than others. “Does anyone remember which body system is in charge of releasing hormones like adrenaline?” (Endocrine system.) 2/23/2019

When stress occurs, your body goes through 3 stages: ALARM – body becomes aware of a stressor RESISTANCE – body works against the stressor EXHAUSTION – body cannot take the resistance or fight it anymore; you may become sick Our body goes through 3 stages of stress when a stressor is present. Discuss the 3 stages. 2/23/2019

What is Coping? Coping is how you deal with stress. Everyone deals with stress differently; some in a positive way and some in a negative way. What are some examples of both? Define coping and discuss some of the positive and negative ways people cope with things. 2/23/2019

Coping Skills POSITIVE: Negative: Exercise Listen to music Draw Meditate Go to a movie Hang out with friends Smoking Drugs Overeating Oversleeping Isolation Suppressing emotions Self-harm Coping Skills “Self-harm refers to things like cutting, picking skin, pulling hair, self-mutilation. If you or a friend is using this negative coping skill, talk to a counselor or a trusted adult.” Can you think of any other ways? 2/23/2019

How can long-term stress make you physically sick? Long-term stress can weaken your immune system, making you more open to illnesses. Discuss how over a long period of time, stress can affect your immune system leaving you more open to getting sick. 2/23/2019

What is resiliency? It is the ability to overcome challenges of all kinds–trauma, tragedy, personal crises, everyday life problems–and bounce back stronger, wiser, and more personally powerful. Define and discuss how resiliency helps people deal with major crises that may occur. Why is resiliency important? 2/23/2019

The healthier you are physically when major stressors occur, the more resiliency you have to overcome that stressor. In order to stay healthy or become healthier, you need plenty of sleep/rest. 2/23/2019

How much sleep do teens need each night? Teens need about 9 hours each night. What regulates how much sleep we need? Circadian rhythm regulates your sleeping and waking patterns. During puberty there is a shift in the circadian rhythm so teens want to go to bed later and wake up later. Discuss that teens need more sleep than adults because their bodies are still growing and their bodies need more time to recharge for daily activities. 2/23/2019

What are the 2 stages of sleep? The 1st stage of sleep is called NREM in which the body recovers from the stress of the day’s activities. NON-RAPID EYE MOVEMENT The 2nd stage of sleep is called REM in which dreams occur. RAPID EYE MOVEMENT Discuss the 2 stages of sleep. 2/23/2019

Lack of sleep over an extended period of time What is Sleep deprivation? Lack of sleep over an extended period of time What is insomnia? Inability to sleep, even when tired Discuss the difference between sleep deprivation and insomnia. “Why is sleep so important? How does it help your body? It recharges your battery, so to speak. It helps you remember and process information from the day before. It allows you to be more alert during the day. You are more energetic. It allows your body to fight infection. You will be in a better mood.” What problems could occur from being sleep deprived? 2/23/2019

What happens if you do not get enough Sleep? Increased risk of getting hurt Increased risk of getting sick Increased risk of depression Ages your skin Makes you forgetful Can cause you to gain weight Impairs your judgment Increases risk of major health problems Blood pressure Stroke Diabetes Discuss some of the things that can happen if you are not getting enough sleep. . 2/23/2019

Time, or lack of it, is a major stressor for most people. Tie it all together. The better you manage your time, the more likely you are not be bogged down due to stress. Plan for sleep, plan for activity, plan for homework. Time management and organization is a life lesson. The sooner you learn it, the better off you’ll be! Lead students to these answers: 1) List and prioritize your goals. 2) Learn to say, “No.” 3) Make a schedule. 4) Don’t overload yourself. 5) Plan for fun activities. Have the students complete the Stress Self Test Activity What are some things you can do to help manage your time better? 2/23/2019