1. WHAT IS STRESS Feeling of Tension Feeling of frustration Worry Sadness Withdrawal

2. STRESS IS DEFINED AS THE WAY OUR BODIES AND MINDS REACT TO LIFE CHANGES.  Adolescence is a period of significant change, including physical, emotional, social and academic changes.

3.  According to a survey 85% of teens say they are stressed out.  Teens experience stress in similar ways as adults  Stress is as common for young individuals as it is for adults

4. DIFFERENCE  An adolescent’s body and mind are still developing and adolescents typically are not as skilled in coping with stress as adults.

5. HOW DOES TEEN STRESS ARISE  Teen stress arises when teenagers face a situation which they think to be impossible to manage with their physical and emotional resources.

6. NORMAL CHANGES OCCURRING IN TEENS  Physical Change Growth spurt Increase in weight Change in voice (boys) Puberty Emotional Changes Teens are caught in the middle between childhood and adulthood Trying exert their independence Making own decisions Experiencing sexuality

7. TEEN STRESSORS  School work  Parents  Relationships  Siblings

8. PRESSURE  Expectations from self and from others  School  Teachers  Coaches  Career decisions  Grades  Homework  Fitting in  Sexuality

9. PRESSURE  Strained relationships  Physical and biological changes  Negative feelings about self/low self-esteem  Heated arguments with or between parents  Drugs  Alcohol  Sex  Finances  Confusion between expectations from outside and different feelings inside

10. PRESSURE  Death  Divorce  Illness  Break up  News events  Being bullied  Learning disability  Anger issues  Autism  Hectic schedules  Sexual Orientation

11. STRESS IS….  A normal physiological response of the body to situations or stimulus which are perceived as ‘dangerous” to the body

12. SOME COMMON REACTIONS ARE…  Heart beats faster  Muscles tighten  Tremble  Release of adrenaline  Once trigger is gone – hormones return to normal level and the  body returns to normal

13. GOOD STRESS OR BAD STRESS  Mild stress is beneficial and can motivate you  Bad stress – the build up of the little things that can really stress you out

14. SYMPTOMS  Physical: headache and fatigue  Mental: poor concentration  Emotional: irritability and depression  Social: isolation and resentment

15. TEENAGE “STRESS OVERLOAD” SIGNS  Anxiety or panic attacks  Feeling down, on edge, guilty or tired  Feeling of being constantly pressured  Anger, irritable, lashing out at others  feeling resentful of others  Not enjoying activities you used to enjoy  Feeling you have too many things you have to do.

16. TEENAGE “STRESS OVERLOAD” SIGNS  “shutting down” and withdrawal from people and activities  Increased anger or increased tearfulness and feelings of hopelessness  Chronic feelings of worry and nervousness  Difficulty sleeping and eating  Difficulty concentrating  Stomach aches, headache, chest pain  Problem sleeping  sadness or depression

17. POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS  Eating Disorder  Depression  Drug/alcohol abuse  Self-injurious behavior  Suicide

18. POSITIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH STRESS  Relaxation  Support from others  Music  TV  Exercise

19. WAYS TO HANDLE TOO MUCH STRESS  Avoid junk foods  Avoid eating on the run  Exercise regularly  Sleep 8-10 hours  Reduce hectic schedule  One person to confide in  Volunteer  Making and Sticking to a schedule

20. WAYS TO HANDLE TOO MUCH STRESS  Avoid excess caffeine  Avoid illegal drugs/alcohol/tobacco

21. BE REALISTIC  Don’t try to be perfect  Ask for help  Reduce activities  Learn to relax

22. LEARN TO RELAX - UNPLUG  Yoga  Breathing exercises  Reading  Hobby  Walk  Pets  Massage  Pedicure/manicure  nature

23. RELAXATION EXERCISE  Sit comfortably in a quit place and close your eyes  Relax your muscles  Breather naturally through your nose  Clear your mind  Focus on your breathing  10-20 minutes

24. CALMING YOUR CHILD  Stay calm  Don’t take it personal

25. CAN DO  Scream  lecture

26. SHOULD DO Resist screaming and calm yourself down If necessary, intervene to move a child out of danger. Remove audience Speak in a calm voice Offer options to calm down Don’t take it personal Talk about it when everyone is calm Use the opportunity to teach

27. SHOULD DO Don’t try to control kids when they’re angry Avoid reasoning and deep conversations: Respect your child’s perspective Accept trial and error: Practice, practice, practice Talk about ways to handle anger before it happens

28. SHOULD DO Practice stress reducing activities yourself Fake it – be random – change the mood Close your mouth and listen Empathize Use it as an opportunity to connect with your kid