Thought Journal
Stress Relief
Standard: SSPBF3: The student will discuss the components of stress: SSPBF3: The student will discuss the components of stress: a. Categorize and explain the different physiological and psychological reactions to stress. b. Identify strategies to deal with stress that promote health; include coping strategies and behavioral modification.
Essential Question: How can stress relief become apart of the fabric of society?
What is stress? Stress is the process by which we perceive and respond to stressors: events we appraise as threatening or challenging.
Three main types of stressors: Daily hassles Significant life changes Catastrophes
Emotional and physiological responses to stress: Vary depending on how we appraise stressors. If threatening we may freeze up or panic. If challenging we may be aroused and focused. Flight or fight response. (GAS) general adaptation syndrome/ three phases of reactions: alarm, resistance, and physical deterioration
Effects on our Health Higher than normal blood pressure Burnout Physical exhaustion Emotional and mental exhaustion Vulnerability to disease
Promoting Wellness/Exercise How does exercise contribute to wellness? Increases the output of mood boosting chemicals your nervous system produces. Enhances your cognitive abilities. Lowers your blood pressure
Promoting Wellness/Family and Friends Does social support make a difference in our health and well being? What if anything has caused you emotional strain in the past 24 hours? What has prompted pleasure in the previous 24 hours?
Promoting Wellness/Positive Experiences and Well Being How does Flow, Happiness, and Optimism contribute to well being? Have better relationships with others. Contribute more to your community. Excel in academics and sports. provide leadership. Help others. Be less of a drain on psychological and physical systems.
Flow: Is a state of optimal performance Activities we perform for the stratification of doing them and not for the rewards put us in a state of flow. Reading a book Playing a game, participating in a sport. Participating in a play. People in a flow situation report losing track of time and being hard to distract.
Happiness/Happy people tend to: Have high self-esteem Be optimistic, outgoing, and agreeable Have close friendships Have work and leisure that engage their skills Sleep well and exercise
Optimism/The Glass Is Half Full: Optimism is the belief that bad events: Are temporary. Are not your fault. Will not have broader effects beyond the present circumstances. Will not have broader effects beyond the present circumstances.
Interactive activity: Read Article Group up in two’s, threes, or four’s Make a list of some of your group’s daily stressors. Make up a list of some stress relief techniques that your group thinks would be helpful. Discuss as a class.
What can You Do: Allow plenty of time. Being too busy is a big source of stress. Exercise. It's a great stress buster. Get plenty of rest and eat well. You'll be able to handle stress better when it does come up. Discuss your problems with a friend or family member.
What Can You Do : When stress hits big, take a time- out. A few minutes away from the problem can help. Breathe deeply -- slowly in, slowly out. Think of something pleasant. Ask for help. If you feel like your stress is just too much, talk with your family, a friend or a counselor.
Healthy stress relieving methods as framed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Eat a well balanced nutritious diet Exercise regularly Avoid caffeine, tobacco and substance of abuse like alcohol, drugs etc Follow simple stress relief methods like deep breathing, listening to music, recreational sports Develop assertiveness training skills Learn to be practical. Look for an alternative if the task is very stressful. Have high self esteem Learn to say no. By doing this a teenager can sort out important things in his life. Have good sense of humor Watching stress relief cartoons Have a good social relationship Discuss the problems with a trusted person and try to find his view of the problem Engage in hobbies like drawing, writing singing or playing with pets. Teen stress is very significant as today's teens are tomorrow's adults. The transition will be smooth if they know the causes of teen stress and their stress relief methods, communicate well with others and learn problem solving skills.