1. Session objectives

2. What is Stress?
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened
When you sense danger—whether it’s real or imagined—the body's defences kick into a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight”
Understand what it is 2

3. What is Stress?
The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you and also helps you rise to meet challenges
But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, mood, productivity, relationships and quality of life
Understand what it is – explain teenager stress lasts longer than adults as their brains are not fully developed 3

4. What are the Triggers?
Recognise the stress triggers – What stresses your child?

5. Identify The Signs of Stress
Cognitive Symptoms
Emotional Symptoms
Memory problems
Inability to concentrate
Poor judgment
Seeing only the negative
Anxious or racing thoughts
Constant worrying
Moodiness
Irritability or short temper
Agitation, inability to relax
Feeling overwhelmed
Sense of loneliness and isolation
Depression or general unhappiness
Physical Symptoms
Behavioural Symptoms
Aches and pains
Diarrhoea or constipation
Nausea
Dizziness
Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
Frequent colds
Eating more or less
Sleeping too much or too little
Isolating yourself from others
Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing, self harm)
What is your teenager feeling?

6. Shrink The Stress
Find out what things help your teenager to cope better with stress and encourage them to do this

7. Training The Mind Headspace Animation Accepting the Mind

8. Practice this and it will become a habit for life.
3 Minute Breathing Space
Mark Williams Track 8
Exercise 4 – 3 Minute Breathing Space – Instant support when stressed – Mark Williams Track 8
Practice this and it will become a habit for life.

9. www.healthmatters.clch.nhs.uk www.youngminds.org.uk
Contacts for support and page 11 of planner