Brain & Body Connection
What brain structure triggers the "fight or flight" response?
What is the amygdala?
Assuming the worst will happen is this thinking trap.
What is catastrophizing?
Taking 3 slow breath is an example of this strategy?
What is deep breathing/relaxation technique?
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.)
This is why your heart races when you feel anxious.
What is activation of the sympathetic nervous system (release of adrenaline)?
Believing one mistake means total failure is this distortion.
What is overgeneralization?
This type of activity reduces stress by lowering cortisol and boosting endorphins.
What is physical exercise?
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.)
This part of the brain helps regulate emotions and make decisions.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Thinking "everyone must be judging me" is this thinking trap.
What is mind-reading?
This is the difference between a coping mechanism and an avoidance behavior.
Coping helps manage stress in a healthy way, while avoidance ignores the problem and often makes stress worse in the long run.
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.)
Chronic stress weakens this system, leaving you more likely to get sick.
What is the immune system?
This "black and white" thinking pattern makes stress harder to manage.
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
One healthy coping strategy for stress at school and why it works.
Examples: journaling (organizes thoughts), talking to a friend (social support), taking a short break (regulates emotions).
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.)
The brain's ability to rewire itself and adapt after stress or trauma.
What is neuroplasticity?
Name and describe three thinking traps.
Examples - catastrophizing (imagining the worst), personalization (blaming yourself for everything), fortune-telling (predicting failure without evidence), mind-reading, all-or-nothing thinking, etc.
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.)