Facing Change & Stress Management Challenge of Change Facing Change & Stress Management

1. Explain the process of change Denial – reject change is happening Resistance – fight the change Acceptance – admit change occurred Transition – figure out how to make it work Pass from one stage to another Commitment – become comfortable with new way of doing things

2. What term is used to describe people who handle change well? Resilient: to be able to recover/adjust easily to misfortune or change

3. Describe personal qualities of people who handle change well. Resilient & aware of what is going on in their world Anticipate change Plan to take advantage of change Act to overcome barriers Look for positive solutions to problems

4. Describe how families can adjust to the following life changes Moving Plan for the move Visit new location Participate in move Make effort to get involved Make friends Financial problems Avoid blame Learn money management Economize Save money! Get outside help

4. Describe how families can adjust to the following life changes Unemployment Work together Show support Economize Look for work Find support group Use community resources Job counseling Disasters Protect safety of family members Plan Be prepared

5. When moving to a new town, why might it be helpful to visit the local chamber of commerce? To learn about the new location Find out where points of interest are located

6. What is the name for the legal process that declares a person unable to pay debts? Bankruptcy Debt: spend more money than you are making Creditor: someone to whom the debt is owed

7. What kind of problems face the unemployed? Loss of identity View of yourself as a person Depression No income Health problems Sacrifice Giving something up

Assignment: Imagine you have graduated from college & are unemployed What is your degree in? Using the internet, search for jobs within 50 miles of your current home How many jobs are available for your education level and area of expertise? What is the average pay? What are the job qualifications and prerequisites? How many people are competing for the job? Write a report explaining your finding and how easy/difficult it would be to find a job under these circumstances.

Complete “Stress Self-Test”

View “Stress Reduction Strategies that Actually Work”

What stress reduction strategies do you currently use? Which strategies observed will you try next time you feel stressed?

8. What is stress? Physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension

9. Name the symptoms of stress. Pounding heart Weakness Dizziness Lack of sleep Too much sleep Neck and back pain Sweating Headaches Finger tapping Hair pulling Tooth grinding Depression Stress usually settles in your neck or back Hair pulling – Melissa moist in college example Tooth grinding – mom after teaching position was cut in half

10. Describe the guidelines to handling stress. Exercise regularly At least 30 minutes! Eat for your health 3 meals a day! Get plenty of sleep 8 hours to allow body to recover Prioritize your activities Make a list Talk it out Venting can help reduce stress Exercise: at least 30 minutes of day. Not just walking around the halls to need to get your heart rate up Eat: 3 meals a day! Foods like asparagus, avocado, berries, cashews, tea, chocolate, garlic, oatmeal, oranges, oysters, and walnuts can help reduce stress Sleep: allows body to recover from stress – aim for 8 hours Talk it out: just talking to someone can help reduce stress

11. What does setting priorities have to do with managing stress? Helps to manage time Important goals get completed Reduces possibilities of stress Prioritize: make a to-do list and label a-c with a being most important, something that you know you have more time to complete can be a c

12. How can planning ahead help a person deal with stress Planning ahead for something unexpected will prepare for possibilities Ex: an emergency fund Speeches stress a lot of people out. How can you reduce stress by planning ahead?

13. How can strong friendships help a person deal with stress? Sharing problems and feelings can lighten the burden of coping with stress More strong relationships = better able to cope with stress Being able to put stress into words can reduce stress levels

14. Explain the difference between emotional tears and those produced by stress. Stress related tears contain more protein, higher level of minerals or hormones in them Crying releases these chemicals and reduces stress

15. What is the role of “self-talk” in dealing with stress? Reduces stress Helps you come to terms with yourself and your abilities Helps you do your best Increases confidence “I can do this” “I know this answer”

16. Why do some people like stress? Stress can help you get things done Some people accomplish more under stress Epinephrine: human hormone that causes physical reactions to stress