Understanding Stress
TRUE or FALSE?
Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives.
TRUE!
Stress is a natural human response that helps us react to challenges and threats
Name two emotional symptoms of stress.
Some signs of emotional stress:
TRUE or FALSE:
Blue light from screens has no effect on your sleep, so it's totally fine to use your phone right before bed.
FALSE:
Blue light from phones, tablets, and computers can trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime. This reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you feel sleepy, making it harder to fall asleep and get quality rest.
TRUE or FALSE:
Stress helps us sleep at night.
FALSE:
Stress disrupts our sleep. It creates racing thoughts at night , increases anxiety and worry, as well as physical tension affecting our relaxation.
Give 2 simple self-care activities that helps with stress relief?
Listening to music, prayer, exercising, spending time with friends, spending time with pets, going for a walk, laughing and stretching, all of these activities are great for stress relief.
Name one benefit of stress?
It helps you get things done and you feel good. It motivates us. (e.g., to do our best).
TRUE or FALSE:
Signs of stress can be difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation and procrastination.
TRUE:
Difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, and procrastination are common signs of stress.
Difficulty waking up
Being late to school
Zoning out in class more often
Forgetting what you learned in class
Having trouble staying focused in class
Feeling more irritable
Making poor choices
What is one impact of lack of sleep on the skin?
Dull complexion: When you don’t get enough sleep, blood flow to the skin decreases, making it look pale and lifeless. Sleep helps maintain circulation, which keeps your skin looking vibrant.
•Increased wrinkles: During deep sleep, the body produces collagen, a protein that keeps skin firm and smooth. Less sleep means less collagen, leading to premature aging and fine lines.
•Dark circles & puffiness: Lack of sleep causes blood vessels under the eyes to dilate, leading to dark circles. It also increases fluid retention, making the under-eye area appear puffy.
•Breakouts & irritation: Sleep deprivation raises cortisol levels, a stress hormone that triggers inflammation and oil production, leading to acne and skin sensitivity.
•Slower healing: When you sleep, your body repairs damaged skin cells. Without enough rest, the skin takes longer to recover from environmental stressors like sun exposure and pollution
TRUE or FALSE:
Procrastination is an effective method to managing stress.
FASLE:
Procrastination is a sign of stress and is and ineffective method for managing stress. It can often increase stress levels due to delaying tasks, leading to last-minute pressure and anxiety. Having a study schedule can help with staying on task and managing time effectively.
How can chronic stress affect a person’s health?
When stress becomes overwhelming and persistent, it can turn into chronic stress, which may negatively impact mental and physical health problems such as:
Having a loss of appetite is what sort of stress (Body, mind, emotions, behavior)?
Loss of appetite is categorized as Behavioral stress, as it affects eating habits and daily actions
What are the 4 stages of sleep?
Awake, Light Sleep, Deep Sleep, REM Sleep
Why does technology overuse affect our sleep?
Technology Overuse: Late-night screen time disrupts melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep.
Why is it important to talk about stress and reach out for support?
Talking about stress helps relieve pressure and find solutions. You can reach out to loved ones, a social worker, or a school counselor for support and guidance.
Based on the scenario below, is Sara experiencing positive or negative stress?
Sara is applying to multiple universities, and deadlines are approaching fast. She feels the pressure to write compelling essays and gather recommendation letters, but instead of panicking, she creates a schedule to stay on track. With each task she completes, she feels a sense of accomplishment. The stress keeps her focused and motivated, helping her submit strong applications on time.
This is positive stress because it drives Sara to stay organized and perform at her best rather than feeling overwhelmed.
Malik is a high school student balancing school, a part-time job, and extracurricular activities. Lately, he has been experiencing frequent headaches, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating in class. His friends have noticed he is more irritable and withdrawn. He also finds himself making hasty decisions and feeling overwhelmed with small tasks.
Question: Based on the symptoms Malik is experiencing, which areas of stress are affecting him the most (Body, mind, emotions, behavior)?
Malik is experiencing symptoms that affect multiple areas of stress:
Stress often impacts multiple areas at once, making it important to manage effectively.
Why do teens need more sleep?
Sleep feeds the mind by improving our brain function. Sleep helps you think clearly and make the best decisions.Good sleep helps our muscles grow, helps with tissue repair and boosts our immune system
What are some stimulants that can increase anxiety and interfere with your sleep?
Energy drinks, caffeine and nicotine.
Instead of energy drinks or caffeine, you can have:
How can taking control of a problem help relieve stress?
Taking control by finding solutions, such as following a study schedule and talking to a health professional/school counselor, can help manage stress. It prevents problems from piling up and reduces pressure.