1. STRESS

2. TAKE THE STRESS TEST…

3. What is Stress?
“A particular pattern of disturbing psychological and physiological reactions that occur when an environment threatens important motives and taxes one’s ability to cope”
The ‘wear and tear’ our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment

4. Stress = Good or Bad? GOOD
-everyone needs a little bit of stress in their lives
-stress pumps us up, gives us energy and supplies a zest for living
BAD
-extreme stress
-long term stress

6. The Causes of Stress
In groups of 3-4, split one page of paper amongst you and divide it into two columns
Create in one column a list of things that STRESS you out!
Choose one person to present to the class

7. Causes of Stress 1. Emotional/Psychological Factors -academic pressure
-peer pressure
-new relationships
2. Hormonal Factors
-changes to hormone levels
-change to body creates stress
-puberty causes changes and made lead to stress

8. Causes of Stress 3. Physical Factors -Illness -Self Image
-Too many activities
4. Environmental Factors
-social group changes
-change in schools
-change in living environment

9. Symptoms of Stress Problems concentrating Over-reacting
Decreased performance
Tired/mood swings
Difficulty sleeping
Increased heart rate/rapid breathing
Alcohol/Drug Addiction

10. Our Body & Stress Neurotransmitters
-send and receive messages b/w brain cells
2 Kinds
1. Happy – too much stress causes these
to fail and are overtaken by…
2. Sad -- when lots = overstress

11. Our Body & Stress 3 Kinds of “Happy’ Messengers
Serotonin – controls your “body clock”
Noradrenalin – sets our energy levels
Dopamine – controls endorphines

12. Our Body & Stress Stress Tolerance
-amount of stress you can handle before your happy messengers begin to fail
10% of the pop. has inherited low stress tolerance…1/10 feels stress all the time

13. What DOESN’T help? Sugar – worsens overstress (sugar low)
Alcohol – liver failure; increased violence
Tobacco – lung, artery damage; cancer
Caffeine – abnormal heart rhythm
Illegal Drugs – convulsions, overdose…

14. How to lower your stress load?
In your groups of 3-4, add some possible ways to deal with the stressful situations in your lives.
Put your answers in the second column directly beside the “stressors”

15. Helpful Strategies Exercise – releases endorphines
Relaxation Techniques
Relax – “Relax, take each day at one time…you have the rest of your life to live”
Time Management – make up a schedule
Eat properly – vegetables, vitamins
Define your sleeping hours…stick to them
Youth should get between 7-9 hours a night!
Talk to others – find someone to sit down with
Take quiet time for yourself
Grab your MP3 and hit the streets for a walk/run/bike

17. Don’t Let Stress Win…