Mental & Emotional Health

1. Mental & Emotional Health 6TH GRADE

2. Objectives • Learn the definition of stress and eustress • Identify internal factors of stress, which influence emotional and social health • Create a plan to prevent and manage stress • Identify the relationships between personal actions, self-image, and personal success. • Identify personal characteristics that can contribute to happiness for self and others

3. Bell Ringer: What is STRESS? Discuss with your group what stress means to you. Discuss with your group if stress can be beneficial.

4. Vocabulary Eustress Distress Resiliency Self-image Self-esteem Stress Stressor

5. Vocabulary Eustress: Good stress. Distress: Bad stress. Resiliency: The ability to adapt to difficult circumstances that you can’t change, and keep on thriving. Self-image:The idea, conception, or mental image one has of oneself. How we perceive ourselves. Self-esteem:Respect or favorable image of oneself. Stress: is the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alert Stressor: Anything that causes stress.

6. What is STRESS? • Discuss with your group the biggest source of stress for teens. • Write one on a sticky note. • On your handout, list the common sources of stress within your group. • On separate sticky notes, write the top 2 stressors

7. Stress • Stress is a feeling that is created when we react to particular events. • Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. • Stress is the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness. • Stress is made up of “stressors”. • Eustress= Good stress Distress=Bad stress

8. Eustress Eustress is the type of ‘positive’ stress that keeps us vital and excited about life.The excitement of a roller-coaster ride, a scary movie, or a fun challenge are all examples of eustress.Eustress is important for us to have in our lives. • Without it, we would become depressed and perhaps feel a lack of meaning in life. Not striving for goals, not overcoming challenges, not having a reason to wake up in the morning would be damaging to us, so eustress is considered ‘good’ stress. It keeps us healthy and happy.

9. Teens and stress What is the biggest source of stress for teens: What are common sources of stress for teens: Share your answers from sticky notes. Share your answers from sticky notes.

10. Types Of Stressors (Eustress Vs. Distress) Eustress, or positive stress, has the following characteristics: Distress, or negative stress, has the following characteristics: • Motivates, focuses energy. • Is short term. • Feels exciting. • Improves performance. • Is perceived as within our coping abilities • Builds resilience • Causes anxiety or concern. • Can be short- or long-term. • Is perceived as outside of our coping abilities. • Feels unpleasant. • Decreases performance. • Can lead to mental and physical problems.

11. Within your group discuss Examples of Eustress and Distress Eustress Distress

12. Examples of Eustress and Distress Examples of positive personal stressors- Eustress Examples of negative personal stressors- Distress • Starting a new school year. • Making new friends. • Moving into a new home. • New baby in the family. • Moving. • Taking a vacation. • Holiday seasons. • Playing sports. • Taking classes or learning a new hobby. • Death of a loved one. • Parents divorcing or separating. • Losing contact with loved ones. • Hospitalization (oneself or a family member). • Injury or illness (oneself or a family member). • Being abused or neglected. • Conflict in in relationships.Family Money Problems.

13. Resiliency • Resilience is the ability to ‘bounce back’ after a tough situation or difficult time and then feeling as good as you felt before. • It’s the ability to adapt to difficult circumstances that you can’t change, and keep on thriving. • When you’re resilient, you can learn from challenging situations and get stronger. Aspects of Resiliency

14. Sources of Stress for Teenagers • Parents• Younger siblings• Problems with friends• Romantic relationships• Amount of school work and grades• Intense competition in sports andextracurricular activities• Family’s social or financial instability• Personal safety and other private issues

15. Emotional Health & Stress • Stress can cause many emotions: fear, anxiety, helplessness, anger, shock, or numbness • Chronic stress can lead to depression, disease/illness, a feeling of low self-worth, and disinterest in life • Extremely stressful events can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

16. Stress Management Strategies

17. Stress Management Techniques • Identify how you handle your stress and compare to others in your group. • Write your answers on a sticky note and be ready to share.

18. Tips for Reducing or Managing Stress • Manage time • Stay positive • Distract yourself • Set limits by saying no when too busy • Get plenty of sleep • Exercise/physical activity!!! • Laugh • Use relaxation techniques • Take care of yourself • Express feelings to a friend or in a journal • Play! Do what makes you happy! • Eat a healthy, balanced diet

19. Healthy ways to help relieve stress: Ask for Help • You don’t have to face everythingon your own. Talk to people you trust and look for good listeners. You can discuss what stresses you out, or just benefit from good conversation. • Breathe deeply. This simple act can lower your anxiety level. • Eat three healthy, balanced meals a day. The body needs good fuel to deal with stress. • Get plenty of sleep. It helps to be well rested and recharged. • Make time to relax. Walking outside, listening to music, practicing yoga, and playing with a pet are a few good options. • You will be able to work more effectively after a short, relaxing break. • Exercise regularly. • Break tasks down into small steps so they are less overwhelming.

20. What makes you happy? In your group list 4 things that contribute to happiness.

21. Contributing Factors of Happiness • Self-discipline • Positive self-image • Independence, honesty • Acceptance and respect for others • Concern for the needs of individuals with disabilities • Honesty • Feeling socially connected (family, friends,peers)

22. Mental/Emotional Health

23. What is Self-Image? Discuss with your group your definition of self-image and be prepared to discuss with class.

24. Self-Image • The idea, conception, or mental image one has of oneself. • Self-Esteem - Respect or favorable image of oneself. • Self-image is how you perceive yourself.

25. Dealing with Body Image Issues/Self Esteem Body image is the way you see yourself and imagine how you look. Having a positive body image means that, most of the time, you see yourself accurately, you feel comfortable in your body, and you feel good about the way you look.

26. Taking Care of MyselfMind Map • Eat well • Exercise regularly • Get plenty of sleep • Avoid smoking, drinking, and drugs • Use positive reappraisal to focus on the positives of a stressful event • Distract yourself—go for a walk, read, or volunteer • Watch a funny movie or talk to a friend who makes you laugh

27. Name:________________________ Teacher: ______________________ Block: ________________________ Personal Stressors Identify a stressor and explain why it is a stressor to you. Identify how you positively handle your stress. Benefits of reducing stress. How does handling my stress help me? To what person can I go when I need help?