Chapter 17: Stress Management Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Taking Charge: Controlling Competitive Stress

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Lesson Objectives: Discuss how to manage stress in everyday life. Describe health practices that can help a person deal with stress. Describe competitive stress.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question What are 12 ways to manage stress?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer 1.Take time to physically rest. 2.Practice relaxed breathing. 3.Take time to rest from mental tasks. 4.Find ways to reduce muscle tension. 5.Exercise regularly—but do not overdo it! 6.Identify the cause of stress and eliminate this cause.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer (continued) 7.Take on only a few projects at any one time. 8.Manage your time effectively. 9.Accept what cannot be changed. 10.Think positively. 11.Try not to let little things bother you. 12.Be flexible and willing to make adjustments.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to take time for physical rest?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Rest is important: Relaxing in a quiet place can provide you with time to think clearly about things. If you are physically rested you will feel more alert and motivated. If you are physically tired, it will lead to worry and anxiety.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to practice relaxed breathing?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Relaxed breathing relieves the physical symptoms of stress such as tense muscles. provides you with a “time-out.” allows you to focus your thoughts on being more positive.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to rest from mental tasks?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Rest from mental tasks is important: Working hard on school work and academic tasks is demanding. Your ability to concentrate clearly and solve problems is diminished if you spend too many hours working on the same mental task. If you do not take time to rest (watch television, go to a movie), your motivation for schoolwork may decrease.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to find ways to reduce muscle tension?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer It is important to reduce muscle tension because it can lead to longer-term problems such as neckache or backache.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question How can exercise help you manage stress?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Exercise provides a time-out from things that may cause you stress. The physical effects of exercise keep you healthy and better able to deal with stressful events.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to identify the cause of stress?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer It is important to identify the cause of stress: If the cause is something you can control, then you will be able to eliminate it. You can cope with the stressful event should it happen again later in your life.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to do only a few projects at any one time?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Only take on a few projects: Taking on too many projects may mean you might not finish them. This would take time from other areas of your life, such as exercise and recreation.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to manage your time effectively?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Managing your time is important so that you feel in control of the things you want to do. so that you spend your time doing things important to you. to ensure that you give time to all areas of wellness (physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.).

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to accept what cannot be changed?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Try to accept things you cannot change: It is pointless to worry about things beyond your control. Accepting things in life beyond your control will decrease your chances of becoming distressed.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to think positively?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Thinking positively is the best way to cope with stress. keeps you optimistic and motivated. provides a healthy perspective.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to not let little things bother you?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Many things occur on a daily basis—take these in stride, and you will not be stressed. Most if not all of the little things in life you have control over.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Why is it important to be willing to make adjustments?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Be willing to make adjustments because you can never predict what might happen on a particular day. Sometimes things do not go as planned—you therefore need to be flexible.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question Who can help you manage stress?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Parents, family members, teachers Members of the clergy, friends, school counselors School nurses, physicians, health professionals

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question What is meant by the term time management?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Time management refers to the ability to organize your day. This allows you to get the things done that are important to you.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question What sorts of things need to be organized into your day?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer You need to manage: Time for schoolwork Time for exercise Time with friends and family Time for relaxation Time for other things important to you

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question What are four time-management guidelines?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer 1.Keep track of your time. 2.Analyze how to use your time. 3.Decide what to do with your time. 4.Schedule your time.

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Question How can you keep track of your time?

Lesson 17.2: Managing Stress Answer Keep a record of how long it takes you to complete certain tasks. These tasks might be related to your schoolwork or to your exercise program.

Taking Charge: Controlling Competitive Stress Read about Willie and Shelly in the Taking Charge section of chapter 17 (page 298). How were Willie’s muscles affected by the stress he felt? What were his other symptoms? How can people in sports help to control the stress in competitive situations?

Taking Charge: Controlling Competitive Stress How was Willie’s stress similar to the stress Shelly felt before her debate? What types of things do you think Shelly did to help her control her stress during her debate? Fill out the questionnaire to find out how competitive stress affects you.