1. STRESS  Occurs when the pressures on us exceed our ability to cope  Commonly thought of as negative  Goal is not to eliminate stress, but to manage the negative aspects  As with feelings, we can control our reactions

2. STRESS  Some reactions to stress are helpful because they manage the stressful feelings in a positive way

3. STRESS SYMPTOMS  Muscle spasms  Body aches  Skin irritations  Sleep problems  Changes in eating habits  Drug abuse  Mood swings  Inability to concentrate

4. COPING STRATEGIES MENTAL STRESS  Crossword puzzles  Watching TV  Having a hobby  Playing a game  Talking with a friend  Going to a movie

5. COPING STRATIGIES PHYSICAL STRESS  Bike riding  Playing soccer  Swimming  Relaxation  Gymnastics  Dancing

6. Decision-making steps  Identify and define the problem.  List at least 3 options for action.  Identify the positive and negative consequences for each option.  Make your decision – choose the best option.  Evaluate the decision.