Stress FIND A PIECE OF PAPER BEFORE THE BELL RINGS.

Journal 1. What stresses you out? (List 3-4.) 2.How do you deal with stress? (List 3-4 things you do when you get stressed.) 3. Make a list of 2-3 activities you feel like you “never have time to do”.

Mental/Emotional -liking/accepting yourself -finding solutions to problems -expressing emotions in healthy ways -dealing with stress in positive ways

The teen years are a time of many changes. Because of such changes, many teens experience stress. Positive stress, called eustress, is an exciting feeling and can make life pleasurable. Negative stress, called distress, must be managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Page 17

What causes stress? Anything that causes stress is a stressor. Stressors range from everyday annoyances to serious problems. Page 17

The body’s response to stress is called the flight or fight response. Adrenaline is released to give the body extra energy. There is a limit to how much stress a body can handle. Too much stress can cause headaches, digestive problems, high blood pressure, fatigue, and a lower resistance to infection. Page 17-18

Stress Management One of the basic ways to manage stress is to follow a healthy lifestyle. More specifically, you can manage stress by using stress management skills: -Knowing how and when to relax. -Keeping a positive outlook. -Being physically active. -Managing your time. Page 18

Relaxation reduces stress by slowing your heart rate and making you feel less tense. Here are some ways to relax and cope with stress: 1.Relax your muscles. 2.Slow your breathing. 3.Get enough sleep. Page 18

Stress can make you feel depressed, anxious, or afraid. Remind yourself to look at the big picture and keep things in perspective. -Think positively. -Keep your sense of humor. -Have some fun. Page 19

Being physically active is one of the healthiest ways to manage stress. Improved heart function: Your heart rate and blood pressure stay steady. Better mood: Your brain releases chemicals that make you feel happier. Improved Appearance: When you look better, you feel better. Increased Oxygen Supply: You can think more clearly. Page 19

Time Management Learning time management skills can help you reduce stress and get more done. Managing your time involves figuring out which activities are most important to you. Page 19

Answer the following in your journal: 1.What are the rocks in your life? (The things that matter, that are so important you would be totally and completely upset without them…examples: family, health, faith...) 2.What the pebbles in your life? (The things that matter but wouldn’t totally destroy you if you didn’t have them…examples: school, friends...) 3.What is the sand in your life? (The things that bring you happiness but are small stuff…examples: music, awesome movies, ice cream, french toast…) 4. When we get stressed about “not having enough time”, what do you think our “life bucket” looks like? (What order have you put the rocks, pebbles and sand to cause your feeling of stress?)

5. Some people say the “sand” in your life is not important, that you don’t need it. (Remember the sand represented fun stuff like movies, music, cookies…) Do you think “sand” is important to have in life? Explain. 1-2 sentences.

Complete the Stress Quiz on page 20 of your workbook. Answer the following questions on the bottom of the page. (1-2 sentences) 1.Is this stress test a 100% accurate way to determine if you are stressed or not stressed? Why or why not? 2.Why is it important to deal with stress? 3.Why should we not ignore stress?

**Challenge: 1.Relax minutes before you go to bed….Do you fall asleep faster? 2.Find time to do an activity that you want to do… “me time”. Look back at the list of activities you wrote for question # 3 at the first of class. 1.What is one activity on that list that you would really like to do? 2.How can you make time to do that activity? (Be specific…think of a time in the next week…)

Journal 1. Did you relax? Why/why not? What would have made it more relaxing? (Giant pillows…better music…) 2. Why is it hard for some people to take a “time-out” and relax for a few moments? 3. Typically, students in first period and 8th period are the most relaxed. Why? 4. Typically, students who are in 5th period have the most difficult time relaxing. Why?

Journal: 3. Which relaxation technique helped you to relax? (Progress Muscle Relaxation or Music) Or did neither help you to relax? 4. Did you relax? Why/why not? 5. Why is it hard for some people to take a “time-out” and relax for a few moments?