GROUP ACTIVITY: REMEMBER YOUR TIMES-TABLES…?

Stressed out, or anxious? On a scale of 1-5 (1 being perfectly comfortable and 5 being extremely uncomfortable), rate your response in anticipation of this activity For those who experienced discomfort: would you describe your feelings as stress or as anxiety? Do you distinguish between the two?

So what’s the difference? Stress Anxiety Natural, normal response to a real challenge or threat Can make us feel nervous, angry, frustrated, anxious, but also excited or motivated Can trigger fight, flight or freeze response Uncomfortable feelings resolve when the challenge is met or the threat is neutralized Triggered by real or perceived stressors Feelings of worry or nervousness that are often disproportionate to the stressor Typically does not co-exist with more “positive” emotions Triggers fight, flight or freeze response Uncomfortable feelings linger, even in the absence of stressors

What do these words mean? Mental Disorder/ Illness Mental Health Problem Anxiety Stress Mental Distress No Distress, Problem or Disorder Image adapted from: www.teenmentalhealth.org

Mental Health Continuum Model Mental Health axis – talking about our stress levels, coping, environment. This is where curriculum and SEL comes in. Mental Illness axis egway to mental disorders Maximum presentation (signs and symptoms) and impairment Vs. Minimum presentation and impairment

Shifting our language; shifting our thinking Stress as the enemy of a healthy life We have come to view all stress as a toxic state, to be minimized or avoided Research suggests we need to shift our thinking…

TED Kelly McGonigal Make Stress your Friend 1) Understand the Stress Response, its purpose and its various levels 2) Interpret the stress response as positive, not negative. A challenge to be faced. A problem to be solved. 3) Identify the problem that needs to be solved. Consider how to solve the problem. Seek assistance and help of others. 4) Modulate the apex of the stress response. Use simple and effective breath-holding and “centering” progressive muscle relaxation techniques Don’t turn in. Don’t focus on modulation of the stress response and ignore the other approaches Scaffolding is different than avoiding…. DO NOT AVOID

AVOIDANCE

Stress Response Curve 1. How are you thinking about your stress response? (positive/negative) 2. What is the problem and what are possible solutions? 3. What is the intensity of your stress response?

Helpful Strategies Figure out what the problem really is Consider the solutions Accept what you can’t change Be realistic Acknowledge your feelings Build healthy relationships Limit or avoid drugs/alcohol Eat a healthy diet Be active Sleep Time Management

Assignment #4 Coping with Stress – test one or more strategies to help you deal with any particular stress you may be dealing with Try it out for a minimum of one week and complete a short reflection BEFORE and AFTER you have completed your coping strategy each day At the end of the process, you will write a paragraph long reflection to summarize your findings