Physiology of Stress
What is the amygdala?
Anxiety often sticks around even after the stressful event is over. True or False?
What is True?
Taking slow, deep breaths helps calm your body by sending a message to which system to relax?
What is the nervous system (or parasympathetic nervous system)?
You forgot your homework. Name one healthy way to handle the stress.
What is being honest with the teacher and making a plan to complete it?
Myth or Fact: Stress only happens when something negative occurs.
What is a Myth? (Positive events, like moving to a new grade or performing on stage, can also cause stress.)
What hormone is released when you're stressed or scared?
What is adrenaline (or epinephrine)?
You have a big math test tomorrow and feel nervous about it. Is that stress or anxiety?
What is stress?
You're feeling anxious before a test, so you remind yourself, "I studied and I can handle this." What coping skill are you using?
What is positive self-talk?
You're anxious before a game. What mental strategy could help?
Myth or Fact: Stress always harms performance.
Answer: What is a Myth? (Moderate stress can sharpen focus and motivation, but too much stress can become harmful.)
What happens to your digestion when you're stressed?
It slows down so your body can focus on survival.
Which one (stress or anxiety) can be helpful in small amounts to motivate you?
What is stress?
What is one reason deep breathing or mindfulness helps reduce stress?
It slows the heart rate and helps the body exit fight-or-flight mode.
A friend lashes out because they're stressed. How could you respond in a healthy way?
What is staying calm, setting boundaries if needed, and checking in later to offer support?
Myth or Fact: If you don't feel stressed, your body isn't affected?
What is a Myth? (Stress can impact the body even if you aren't aware - like tense muscles, high blood pressure, or disrupted sleep.)
What happens to your pupils during the fight-or-flight response?
They get bigger (dilate) to take in more light and help you see danger.
After a stressful event, most people's bodies calm down quickly. Someone with anxiety may stay tense much longer. What does this show about how anxiety affects the body?
It keeps the body's stress response activated even after the stressor is gone.
What is one reason practicing coping strategies before you're stressed makes them more effective?
It trains your brain and body to calm down faster when real stress happens.
You're overwhelmed with activities? How could you go about prioritizing tasks?
Myth or Fact: The best way to manage stress is to avoid stressful situations.
What is a Myth? (Avoidance often increases anxiety, whereas facing challenges with coping tools builds resilience.)
Long-term stress can weaken this system in your body, making it harder to fight off illnesses. What is it?
What is the immune system?
Both stress and anxiety activate the body's alarm system. What is one key difference between the cause of stress and the cause of anxiety?
Stress has an identifiable trigger (like a test or argument), while anxiety often does not have a clear cause or lasts after the stressor is gone.
Give an example of a 2-step calming strategy before a big presentation.
Examples: Step 1 - Take 5 deep breaths to calm nerves. Step 2 - Use positive self-talk or visualization to feel prepared.
You're the principal and students report high stress. What school-wide strategy could help?
What is adding mindfulness breaks, stress-management workshops, offering wellness activities, creating quiet workspaces.
Myth or Fact: People can train their brains to respond differently to stress.
Answer: What is a Fact? (Through strategies like mindfulness, cognitive reframing, and practice, the brain develops healthier stress responses.)