Stress & the Body
Coping Strategies
Stimulant Drug Use & Mental Health
Caffeine Effects
Self-Care
100
What is stress?
Stress is your body's response to any demand or challenge — physical, emotional, or mental.
100
What does the word "coping" mean?
Coping means dealing with or managing stress, problems, or difficult emotions.
100
Both stress and stimulant drugs cause the body to release adrenaline. Name one thing adrenaline does to your body.
increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, speeds up breathing, causes sweating, tenses muscles.
100
What type of drug is caffeine. A stimulant or a depressant?
A stimulant.
100
True or False: Self-care only means relaxing activates like taking a nap or watching TV.
False:
Self-care includes anything that supports your physical, emotional, or mental functioning: sleep, movement, social connection, and boundary-setting all count.
200
2000 points!!!!
Name one physical sign that your body is stressed.
Any one of: increased heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, headache, faster breathing, stomachache.
200
Research shows that having strong social connections reduces overall stress. Why do you think having these connections helps with stress?
being in the physical presence of someone you trust regulates the nervous system, your body releases oxytocin with lowers cortisol, isolation itself can cause a stress response, etc.
200
Both chronic stress and stimulant drug use affect the same brain chemical that controls mood and motivation. What is that chemical?
Dopamine. Chronic stress lowers dopamine levels over time, and stimulant drug use eventually depletes dopamine — both leading to depression, low motivation, and difficulty feeling pleasure.
200
Name two common foods or drinks that contain caffeine.
Any two: coffee, energy drinks, soda, tea, chocolate.
200
Name 2 things your body needs consistently to regulate stress and mood (hint: think basic biology)
Sleep and nutrition/hydration
300
What part of the brain sounds the body's alarm when you sense a threat?
The amygdala — it triggers the "fight-or-flight" response.
300
What does deep breathing do to your nervous system and why does it work as a coping skill?
Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous system, lowering heart rate and cortisol and signaling to the brain that you are safe.
300
The "fight-or-flight" response is triggered by stress. How do stimulant drugs mimic this response?
Stimulant drugs force the body into a fight-or-flight state by releasing the same stress chemicals (adrenaline and dopamine), causing the same physical reactions — racing heart, fast breathing, and tense muscles — even when there is no real danger.
300
What happens to your body when you suddenly stop using caffeine after drinking it daily?
You can experience caffeine withdrawal: headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
300
What's one small self-care habit that's realistic for you, given where you're at?
examples: exercising, journaling, deep breathing, drawing, talking to staff/counselor.
400
What hormone is released in high amounts during a stress response, and what does it do to your heart rate?
Cortisol (and adrenaline) are released. They increase heart rate to send more blood to muscles.
400
What is the difference between a healthy coping strategy and an unhealthy one?
Healthy coping reduces stress without causing harm. Unhealthy coping (like using drugs or self-harm) may feel like relief short-term but causes more problems.
400
Explain why a person who is already under chronic stress and then uses stimulant drugs may be at greater risk for a mental health crisis than someone who is not stressed.
Chronic stress already depletes dopamine, weakens the brain's stress regulation, and keeps cortisol high. Adding stimulant drugs on top of that overwhelms the brain and body. dopamine crashes harder, anxiety and paranoia are intensified, sleep is further disrupted, and the risk of psychosis, panic attacks, or severe depression is significantly higher than for either factor alone.
400
Explain two physical risks of consuming large amounts of caffeine and why younger people may be more vulnerable.
100-point bonus: What is the FDA recommended daily limit of caffeine for adolescents?
Risks include rapid or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, anxiety, and seizures. Teens are more vulnerable because their bodies are smaller, their hearts are still developing, and they are more sensitive to stimulant effects — especially when combined with other substances.
Bonus: 100 mg. most energy drinks have twice that.
400
Why might isolating yourself when stressed actually make stress worse, biologically speaking?
Social connection helps regulate the nervous system (co-regulation); isolation can increase rumination (overthinking) and cortisol levels.
500
How does chronic (long-term) stress damage the immune system and overall health?
Chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated, which weakens the immune system, raises blood pressure, disrupts sleep, and increases risk of anxiety, depression, and heart disease.
500
What is the difference between problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping?
100 point bonus: Give an example of each.
Problem-focused: addressing the cause of stress (e.g., making a plan, asking for help). Emotion-focused: managing feelings when you can't change the situation (e.g., journaling, talking it out, meditation).
500
Long-term stress and long-term stimulant use both damage the cardiovascular system. Explain one way each causes harm to the heart or blood vessels.
Chronic stress keeps blood pressure elevated, straining the heart and blood vessels over time. Stimulant drugs force the heart to beat faster and harder than it should, which can lead to irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or damaged blood vessels — even in young people.
500
How does caffeine affect sleep, and why is this especially important for teenagers?
100-point bonus: what range of sleep does a teenager need each night
Caffeine blocks adenosine (a sleep chemical), making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Teens need 8–10 hours of sleep for brain development; poor sleep hurts mood, learning, and mental health.
teens that lack sleep harm the development of the frontal cortex causing more risky and impulsive decisions.
500
What's the difference between self-care and avoidance? Give an example of each.
Self-care restores capacity to face something (e.g. resting before a hard conversation)
Avoidance delays or escapes it (e.g., using substances to not feel a hard emotion)