Key words and facts
What is stress?
The body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure
What are the two steps to managing stress?
Managing external pressures, so stressful situations don't seem to happen to you quite so often
Developing your emotional resilience, so you're better at coping with tough situations when they do happen and don't feel quite so stressed
What are common causes of stress for teenagers? Name 1
School/college, pressure to do well, getting into university, choosing a career, relationships with friends, partners and family
Is stress normal? Why?
Yes - we all experience a little stress from time to time
No - it's not normal to be overwhelmed by stress - long term stress can damage your body or mind
Name two unhealthy ways to deal with stress
Alcohol, smoking, drug use, reckless driving, spending/gambling
What are the most common causes of stress for adults in the UK? Name 2
Money, work, health, failure to get enough sleep, family, household chores
Why do we feel stress?
Our hard-wired stress response is designed to gives us the quick burst of heightened alertness and energy needed to perform our best.
Thousands of years ago, if a person were being attacked by a wild animal, his/her stress reaction would help him/her to either run away or defend him/herself by fighting - fight or flight
People need a certain level of stress to perform; the problems only arise when people feel unable to cope
Many modern day situations may cause a fight or flight response, where the body is ready for action, but the action is not needed.
Name three healthy ways to cope with stress/increase your resilience
Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, communication (asking for help, learning when to say no)
What are the three factors that cause stress in our lives?
Change, challenge, pressure
What is resilience?
The idea that you can build your tolerance level to pressure before it turns into stress.
Name four apps or online resources that can be used to reduce stress
Headspace, Calm, Blue Ice, Calm Harm, Chill Panda, Catch It,
What short-term physical effects can stress have on the body? Name 4
Muscles tense, breathing becomes faster and shallower, Adrenaline flows, Sweating increases, Digestion slows down, Immune responses decrease, Blood pressure rises, The liver release sugar, cholesterol and fatty acids into the body
What % of absences from work are accounted for by stress? (across the nation as a whole)
51-55%
What is the ABC of stress management?
A - awareness - of how you experience stress and what causes it
B - balance - discover how much stress you need to perform without feeling overloaded
C - control - increase A and find B to help you feel more in control
What long-term mental effects can stress have on the mind? Name 5
Anxiety, restlessness, depression, frustration, feeling helpless, irritable, aggression, loss of self esteem, lack of concentration