1. Lesson 2 To manage stress, identify your stressors. You then have a better chance of controlling them. How should you start dealing with stress? Managing Stress

2. Lesson 2 In this lesson, you’ll learn to: Identify personal causes of stress. Demonstrate refusal strategies for avoiding some stressful situations. Develop strategies for managing stress. Examine how healthful behaviors help reduce stress. Lesson Objectives

3. Lesson 2 Causes of Stress The first step in stress management is to identify the causes of stress: Life events Physical stressors Daily hassles Identifying Personal Causes of Stress

4. Lesson 2 Using Refusal Skills to Avoid Stress Demonstrating refusal strategies helps you avoid stressful situations. Walk away from a tense situation. Say no when you see the possibility of stress, conflict, or threat. Avoiding Stress with Refusal Strategies

5. Lesson 2 Stress-Management Techniques Plan ahead. Get enough sleep. Engage in regular physical activity. Eat nutritious food. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Ways to Manage Stress

6. Lesson 2 Plan Ahead A well-thought-out plan is a flexible map that shows many ways of reaching your goal. When you plan ahead: You decide in advance what you want to accomplish and what steps you’ll take. You recognize where variations to your plan may occur. It better prepares you for unexpected changes. Ways to Manage Stress

7. Lesson 2 Get Adequate Sleep Manage your time wisely so that you get enough rest each night. This will help you: Be in a better mood. Think more clearly. Look and feel better. Improve your chances of success. Ways to Manage Stress

8. Lesson 2 Get Regular Physical Activity When you are under stress, your body has an excess of nervous energy. Engaging in physical activities can release this pent-up energy. Ways to Manage Stress

9. Lesson 2 Eat Nutritious Food Balanced nutrition is important for overall health. Poor eating habits cause fatigue, weakness, and a reduced ability to concentrate. Inappropriate dieting and over- or undereating can also put the body under additional stress. Too much stress can cause poor absorption of vitamins and minerals, which can lead to deficiencies. Eat a variety of different foods, drink plenty of water, and eat fresh food whenever possible. Ways to Manage Stress

10. Lesson 2 Nutrition Tips for Dealing with Stress Eat regular meals. Limit “comfort” foods. Limit caffeine. Ways to Manage Stress

11. Lesson 2 Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs does not relieve stress. Substance use makes the body more prone to diseases and has dangerous long-term effects. Ways to Manage Stress

12. Lesson 2 Managing Stress Redirect your energy. RelaxRelax and laugh. Keep a positive outlook. Seek out support. Stress-Management Techniques Developing and practicing stress-management skills is one of the steps to good mental health.stress-management skills