Managing Stress For Life Lesson 7 November 12th, 2010

Mental Health Test on Tuesday

Managing Stress For Life We have already looked at how to deal with stress in day to day situations. Today we are going to look at stress-management techniques that you can use throughout a lifetime.

Physical Health Engage regularly in physical activity Many negative consequences of stress can be prevented by taking the following steps to keep yourself physically well: Engage regularly in physical activity Eat a balanced diet

Physical Health Get enough rest and sleep Use the relaxation techniques that you learned last class Do not use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs

A Support Group Effective stress management involves talking to other people about things that bother you Friends, family, guidance counsellors, teachers These people can be referred to as your support group

A Support Group In some occasions, just talking about a stressor with a member from your support group can reduce the stress you are under. How?

A Spiritual Life Many people find that having a spiritual life, a sense of a connection with something greater than oneself, helps them get through great times of stress. This can be a connection to: A supreme being Nature

A Spiritual Life These connections can help to provide comfort, guidance, peace and a sense of being. Ways that organized religions can help: Guidance Sense of belonging to part of a community The act of helping others Life has meaning

Getting Professional Help At times a person can feel overwhelmed by stress. If it reaches a point where you feel unable to cope with the stress in your life, you should get help from a professional This does not always have to be a psychologist; it could be a school counsellor or religious leader, etc.

Many stressors cannot be handled alone Physical, emotional or sexual abuse It is important to remember that there are always things that can be done to improve the situation no matter how bad it may appear.

Managing your time by setting goals and prioritizing A common stressor that almost everyone faces is the feeling that you do not have enough time to do everything you need and want to do, The key to using time wisely is to set goals and prioritize them.

Managing your time by setting goals and prioritizing The following steps will help to reduce the stress of “not having enough time.” List your goals for today Prioritise you goals Beside each write either a “A”, a “B” or a “C”. The goals you label “A” are ones that must get done that day. The ones labelled “B” are those you would like to get done. The goals labelled “C” are not as important and may have to wait until later.

Managing your time by setting goals and prioritizing 3. During the day, do what is necessary to reach your “A” goals first, then your “B” goals. If you have some time left, you can attend to your “C” goals. This method can be used for goals to complete in just a few hours, weeks, months, or even a year.

The following also help with managing time Learn how to say NO. Do not take on task that you may have no time to complete Work on one task at a time. Do not go back and forth between tasks. Time is wasted reorienting yourself. Ask for help from others when you are pressured for time.

Review of SMART goals

Review of SMART Goals Specific Straightforward, clear and to the point How you are going to accomplish it

Review of SMART Goals Measurable The goal should be measurable with some form of measurement

Review of SMART Goals Attainable Set goals that are reachable but not too easy Set goals that are important to you

Review of SMART Goals Realistic Set short term goals that will help you attain long term goals

Review of SMART Goals Time Set a timeframe The goal must have a end date Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic

Assignment 1. A) Set three SMART Goals for today B) Place a ranking of A, B, or C beside each goal 2. A) Set three SMART Goals for this upcoming week

Assignment 3. A) Set three SMART Goals for this semester. (7 weeks left) B) Place a ranking of A, B, or C beside each goal 4. Set one SMART Goal that you would like to complete in the next year.