Managing Stress and Coping with Loss Chapter 4 Managing Stress and Coping with Loss

Lesson 1 Understanding Stress

What is Stress? Stress is natural Reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands How stress affects you depends on how you perceive the situation Perception The act of becoming aware through the senses You will react to stress based on experience or a lack of experience Stress can be positive and negative

Causes of Stress Stressor Stressors for Teens: Anything that causes stress Real or imagined, anticipated or unexpected Stressors for Teens: Life situations Environmental Biological Cognitive (thinking) Personal Behavior

Your Body’s Response to Stressors Three Stage Response (automatic) Alarm Mind and body go on alert “fight-or-flight’ response Prepares your body to either defend itself or to flee from a threat 2. Resistance Your body begins to adapt 3. Fatigue Exposed to stress too long your body loses ability to adapt

Psychosomatic Response A physical reaction that results from stress rather than from an injury or illness Some include: Headache A weakened immune system High blood pressure Bruxism, clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth Digestive disorders Mental/Emotional and Social effects include difficulty concentrating, irritability, and mood swings

Lesson 2 Managing Stress

When Stress Becomes a Problem The effects of stress are additive…they build up over time Chronic Stress Stress associated with long-term problems that are beyond a person’s control To help manage stress you should learn strategies that help deal with your stress before they build up

Stress Management Techniques Handling Stress and Reducing Its Effects Practice relaxation techniques Relaxation Response A state of calm Deep breathing, stretching, progressive muscle relaxation Redirect your energy Seek support Avoiding and Limiting Stress Use refusal skills Plan ahead Think positively Avoid tobacco and other drugs

Staying Healthy and Building Resiliency Get Adequate Rest Get Regular Physical Activity Eat Nutritious Foods

Coping with Loss and Grief Lesson 3 Coping with Loss and Grief

Acknowledging Loss One way to help begin the healing process Grieving is a common and natural reaction to any loss that brings on strong emotions Acknowledging and understanding your grief will help you begin the healing process

Expressing Grief Stages of Grief A variety of reactions that may surface as an individual makes sense of how a loss affects him or her Denial or Numbness Emotional Release Anger Bargaining Depression Remorse Acceptance Hope Closure Acceptance of a loss Coping Dealing successfully with difficult changes in your life

Coping with Death Receive and show support Death is one of the most painful losses we can experience Mourning The act of showing sorrow or grief Talking about the person, experiencing the pain of the loss, and searching for meaning Showing Empathy Help recall the happy, positive memories Be a sympathetic listener Use silence Don’t rush the grieving process Community Support Memorial services, wakes, and funerals

Coping with Traumatic Events Any event that has a stressful impact sufficient to overwhelm your normal coping strategies Sudden and shocking Accidents, violence assaults, suicides, natural disasters Sense of security may be in question, seek support from friends and family and try to resume normal activities