Managing Stress and Coping with Loss Activity: Everyone blow up their balloon until it pops. How does this relate to stress?

What’s Your Health IQ quiz? 1=never 2=occasionally 3=most of the time 4=all of the time 1. I exercise and eat well 2.I make time in my schedule to do the things that I really enjoy 3.I ask for support from family and friends when I feel to much stress 4.I have an optimistic view of changes in my life 5.I do the most important projects I want to accomplish first 6.I say no if my boss repeatedly ask me to work late on a school night.

Identify a few of the situations that can cause you stress on a daily basis? (think about environmental, biological, behavioral, and life changes) choose one that’s really got you down.

Stress and Your Health WHAT CAUSES STRESS? Stress: is the body’s and mind’s response to a demand. Stress is caused by stressors. A stressor is any situation that puts a demand on the body/ mind. Stressors: – Environmental: pollution, poverty, crowds, noise – Biological: illness, disability, injury – Thinking: Mental challenges, a test, too much homework – Behavioral: not enough sleep or exercise, drugs. – Life Changes: death of loved one, marriage, personal events.

Emotional and Behavioral Response to Stress The way you respond to stress emotionally and behaviorally depends on if you think it’s positive or negative stress. Eustress: a positive stress that energizes one and helps one reach a goal. Distress: a negative stress that can make a person sick or keep a person from reaching a goal. Can keep you from doing your best no matter how capable you are.

Long-term stress can make you sick Stress Related Diseases or Disorders – Headaches – Cold and flue – Asthma – Backache – Heart disease – Stroke – Ulcer – Depression – Insomnia

Dealing With Stress Take care of yourself Exercise regularly: it relieves tension Get enough rest: 9 hours of sleep a night Eat right Build Resiliency Change your attitude Manage your time Learn to relax Breathing exercises Tension-releasing exercises – Playing an instrument – Laughing

Build Resiliency Resiliency: the ability to recover from illness, hardship, and other stressors. Resilient people use their strengths, gifts, and talents to help them accomplish difficult tasks. Resilient people build strong support systems, and know when to ask for help. AWESOME VIDEO ON Stress – and changing our thoughts

Copying With Loss What types of loss can you think of? What may the effects of loss be? How can someone cope with loss?

Experiencing Loss Types Death Divorse Death of pet Breakup Losing a game Moving away Effects Stress Grieving: To express deep sadness b/c of loss – Grieving is okay because it helps you heal

5 Stages of the Grieving Process 1.Denial 2.Anger: blame self or others 3.Bargaining: promises to change if the person or thing they lost returns. 4.Depression: sadness that keeps you from daily activities 5.Acceptance: Learn to live with the loss, start healing.

Accepting Death Wakes: ceremony held to allow family and friends to watch over the deceased person before the funeral. (viewing) Funeral: is a ceremony where a deceased person is buried or cremated. Memorial Service: a ceremony to remember the deceased person.

Help for Dealing with Loss Get plenty of rest and relaxation Share memories Express feelings by talking, crying, or journaling Do not blame yourself Help others Show support and listen

Preventing Suicide Suicide: is the act of intentionally taking one’s own life. Suicidal people feel worthless and hopeless, they want to end their pain. There are other ways to deal with emotional suffering. The use of drugs/alcohol can put people at risk for following through with suicidal thoughts.

Teens and Suicide The physical and emotional changes during teen years can make teens feel: 1.Impulsive 2.Focused on Today 3.Highly emotional What you can do …… Stop and think about the consequences Don’t use permanent solutions to solve temporary problems Hang in there, talk to your parents, a friend, or adult.

Warning Signs of Suicide Feeling hopeless Withdrawing from friends/family Neglecting basic needs Experiencing loss of energy Taking more risks Using alcohol and drugs Giving away personal things Words that warn – I wish I were dead – I can’t take it anymore – This pain will never end – Nothing matters

Giving and Getting Help When you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, do not ignore the problem. – Take all talk of suicide seriously (tell an adult) – Tell your friend suicide is not the answer – Change negative thoughts into positive thoughts – Don’t keep a secret (The possibility of suicide always requires help from a trusted adult).