Managing Stress

1. Managing Stress In this lesson, you will Learn About… • Sources of stress. • How people respond to stress. • Healthy ways of managing stress.

2. Managing Stress The Vocabularyterms in this lesson are: • Distress. • Eustress. • Stressor. • Adrenaline. • Fatigue. • Physical fatigue. • Psychological fatigue. • Coping skills.

3. What Is Stress? Stress is your body’s response to changes around you. OR The body’s reaction to what it feels threatened by Major events can cause stress, and so can everyday irritations.

4. What Is Stress? (cont’d.) There are two types of stress: • Negative stress, or distress • Positive stress, or eustress People react to different stressors, or triggers of stress.

5. Sources of Stress Somewhat Stressful Extremely Stressful Making new friends; arguing with sister or brother; getting braces or glasses Going to a new school; worrying about appearance; troubles with teacher or principal; arguing with parents; parent losing a job A close friendship ending; family member’s serious illness; loss or death of a pet; family member’s alcohol or drug problem Divorce or separation of parents; death of a friend or sibling; death of a parent

6. The Stress Response The body cannot tell the difference between distress and eustress. Because the body responds to every change, any change causes stress. The body responds to stressors by getting ready to act. This response is called the “fight-or-flight” response.

7. The Stress Response (cont’d.) Physical responses to a stressor: • Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream. • More blood is directed to the muscles and brain. • The heat beats faster. • The muscles tighten up and are ready for action. • The senses sharpen, increasing alertness. • The air passages widen, so that more air can be taken in.

8. Stress and Fatigue After a stressor is gone, the body’s response to it usually stops. However, if you are experiencing extreme or long-lasting stress, the response may continue. After a time, your body can become exhausted and fatigue can set in.

9. Stress and Fatigue (cont’d.) Physical fatigue is extreme tiredness of the whole body. It usually occurs after vigorous activity or at the end of a long day. Psychological fatigue is extreme tiredness caused by your mental state. Stress, worry, boredom, or depression can cause psychological fatigue.

10. Avoiding Stress Sometimes you can avoid situations that cause stress. In unavoidable situations, you can decrease the stress by being well prepared. Some stressors are exciting events that you don’t want to avoid. During such times, cut down on other stressors so that you don’t become overwhelmed.

11. Ways to Manage Stress Some coping skills to help manage stress: • Eat nutritious foods. • Get enough sleep. • Relax by doing something to calm you down. • Maintain a positive outlook. • Be physically active. • Manage your time. • Talk to someone • Exericise • Create a list of things to do and tackle 1 thing at a time • OTHERS…….