1. Managing Stress in Your Life

2. What is stress?
Stress is the body’s and mind’s reaction to
everyday demands or threats.

3. Kinds of Stress DISTRESS = Negative Stress EUSTRESS = Positive Stress
Results from too much pressure or trauma and you do not know how to deal with it.
ex) Having a lot of homework
ex) Running to catch the bus when it is driving away
ex) Trying to find a homecoming date.
Can help you achieve your goals.
Certain levels of stress help us focus and concentrate better.
ex) If you are concerned with grade, you will study harder
ex) ?????

4. Situations that cause you to react
Kinds of Stressors
Stress occurs in response to stressors = any stimulus that produces a stress response
People
Objects
Places
Events
Situations that cause you to react

5. STRESSORS LIFE SITUATIONS COGNITIVE (THINKING) PERSONAL BEHAVIORS
ENVIORNMENTAL
BIOLOGICAL
COGNITIVE
(THINKING)
PERSONAL
BEHAVIORS
School problems
Unsafe neighborhood
Illness
Poor self-esteem
Smoking
Peer pressure
Natural disaster
Changes in body
Not fitting in
Relationship Issues
Family Problems
War
Injury
Personal appearance
Alcohol and drugs

6. The Body’s Response to Stress…
A series of events is put into action as your body prepares itself for “danger”
How your body and mind react is your stress response
The combination of the stressor and your stress response adds up to your stress
ex) if you hear a firecracker without expecting it, you may jump at the
sound without thinking, or your heart may suddenly start to race.
recognize the sound = realize no real danger = response is minimal
mistake sound for gun shot = stronger stress response

7. The Body’s Response to Stress…
Two major systems of the body =
1. nervous system and 2. endocrine system
The body’s response is largely involuntary, or automatic
It happens in 3 stages and can occur whether the stress
is physical or emotional, positive or negative

8. ALARM see figure 4.3
The 1st stage in the stress response, when the body and mind go on high alert.
There is a natural release of the hormone adrenaline.
Adrenaline = the “emergency hormone” secreted by adrenal glands to prepare the body to respond to a stressor
****Heart ↑ providing more blood to brain and muscles, breathing ↑ providing more oxygen to the body, throat muscles may contract making swallowing difficult, arms and legs may tighten

9. RESISTANCE
The 2nd stage in the stress response, your body adapts and reacts to the stressor.
If caught in high-stress situations, the body functions at a higher-than-normal level. Individuals can accomplish incredible feats of strength. ex) lifting car to save a child trapped under it
If in the stage for too long, mind and body can wear down.

10. FATIGUE * high blood pressure * clenching jaw or grinding teeth
The 3rd stage of the stress response, resulting in a tired feeling that lowers one’s level of activity.
***If the body is continually exposed to stressors or one stressor is prolonged this can lead to a
PSYCHOSOMATIC RESPONSE= a physical reaction that results from stress rather than from an injury or illness.
(SEE PAGE 95) Some physical effects of stress include:
* headache
* high blood pressure
* clenching jaw or grinding teeth
* weakened immune system

11. REVIEW
What is stress?
Which comes first, the stressor or the stress response?
List two examples of a potential stressor in your life. Pick one life situation stressor and one cognitive/thinking stressor.
Does your body respond to stress voluntarily or involuntarily?
Name the three stages of stress.
Which stage does your body release the hormone adrenaline?

12. LESSON 3 – Managing Stress

13. Dealing with stress
Many people don’t know they are stressed out until they have a serious effect or it affects their health
Teens today suffer from chronic stress
To avoid chronic stress know yourself and what stressors you have in your life
You cannot avoid stress!

14. So, how do I manage or reduce the stress in my life?
Don’t take on too much
i.e., don’t over load your schedule
Learn how to say no
Cut back on some activities
Use a planner to better organize your schedule

15. Be realistic with yourself
Don’t put too many expectations on yourself
Don’t expect to be perfect
Try to make goals reachable and if you don’t reach them allow yourself some grace
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Sleep!

16. Learn how to relax Treat your body well
Find activities that take your mind off of stress i.e., reading, exercising, watching t.v., drawing
Don’t do this for too long or you will become more stressed
Plan it in your schedule
Treat your body well
Eat healthy
Exercise
Take vitamins

17. Deal with your problems
Check your outlook
A poor attitude and lead to stress
Try to be positive
Be optimistic
Is your glass half full or half empty?
Deal with your problems
Letting your issues last can build up unnecessary stress
Stress is additive!
See a counselor or talk to someone about the problems you are dealing with

18. Coping with Loss and Grief
Lesson 3
Coping with Loss and Grief

19. Coping with loss and grief
Video
We all experience a loss or grief at some point and we all grieve in our own way!
However, acknowledging loss is one way to help begin the healing process
Stages of grief: a variety of reactions that may surface as an individual makes sense of how a loss affects him or her

20. THE GRIEVING PROCESS (see page 103)
DENIAL OR NUMBNESS
Difficult to believe the loss has occurred
EMOTIONAL RELEASE
crying
ANGER
Person feels powerless and unfairly deprived
BARGAINING
Loss sets in, person may promise to change what was lost
DEPRESSION
Beyond the feeling of sadness, feels isolated and alienated
REMORSE
Pre-occupied with thoughts how the loss could have been prevented
ACCEPTANCE
Faces reality of loss, experiences closure
HOPE
Remembering becomes less painful, looks to future

21. HEALING
Experiencing and accepting your feelings during grieving is necessary.
Coping= dealing successfully with difficult changes in your life

22. DEATH ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL LOSSES WE CAN EXPERIENCE!
Most people respond to a loss by mourning
Mourning= the act of showing sorrow or grief
People do this by talking about the person, searching for meaning, and experiencing the pain

23. Signs that someone may be dealing with grief
Some people don’t express grief in the healthiest way. Some poor ways someone might deal with grief are:
Chronic depression, sleeping difficulties, restlessness, self-esteem
Academic failure or indifference to school-related activities
Deterioration or relationships with friends and family
Risk-taking behaviors such as alcohol abuse, fighting, or sexual experimentation
Acting overly mature or strong

24. SHOWING EMPATHY (page 104)
Show empathy when someone is grieving!
Ways to show support when one is grieving:
1. help the person recall happy and positive memories
2. be a good listener
3. don’t rush the grieving process or attempt to resolve the person’s grief

25. COPING WITH TRAUMATIC EVENTS
Traumatic event= event that has a stressful impact to overwhelm your normal coping strategies.
Ex. Accidents, violent assaults, suicides, natural disasters
Seek support from family, friends, and community groups. Also, try to resume your normal activities as it can help the grieving process!

26. Where to get help The Healing Place: A Center for Loss & Change
Offer support and grief for people ages 3-19
Hospice: Helping Teenagers Cope with Grief
School counselors
Parents, friends, or people you trust