The Body's Response
These are two common physical signs of stress felt in the body.
What is eg. racing heart, sweaty palms, stomach ache, headache?
This is the most common source of stress for over 80% of teenagers.
What is school/grades?
This simple technique involves breathing in through your nose and slowly out through your mouth.
What is deep breathing?
This is the ratio of teens aged 13–18 who will experience an anxiety disorder.
What is 1 in 3?
This "trap" occurs when you assume the absolute worst-case scenario will happen.
What is catastrophizing?
This term describes the automatic reaction that prepares your body to meet a challenge or escape danger.
What is fight or flight response?
This digital activity can increase anxiety through constant comparison and "FOMO."
What is social media?
This practice involves focusing strictly on the present moment without judgment.
What is mindfulness?
True or False: Anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at some point.
What is true?
This type of personality trait involves a constant need to be "perfect," often fueling school-related anxiety.
What is perfectionism?
This condition, often caused by anxiety, makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
What is insomnia?
Using these devices one hour before bed is discouraged because they signal the brain to stay alert.
What are cell phones, ipads, and backlit electronics?
These are examples of unhealthy ways teens might try to cope with stress.
What is using drugs/alcohol, isolating, etc.?
This term refers to the negative labels or shame society sometimes attaches to mental health struggles
What is stigma?
These are negative self-thoughts that appear immediately without us being aware.
What are Automatic Negative Thoughts?
This term refers to "positive stress" that can help you perform better in sports or a school play.
What is eustress?
This new 2025 contributor to teen stress involves pressure to "keep up" with advanced digital tools.
What are AI-driven academic tools?
This mental strategy involves changing a negative "hot thought" into a more balanced or positive one.
What is reframing or Cognitive Restructuring?
This is the recommended amount of physical activity a teen should get daily to help manage stress.
What is one hour per day?
This thinking style involves believing you know what others are thinking about you without them saying so.
What is mind reading?
Because this part of the body is still developing until age 25, teens may be more vulnerable to the long-term effects of stress.
What is the brain?
These are common life changes that can trigger stress in teens.
What is ex. moving, family dynamic changes, starting a new school?
This grounding method uses your five senses to pull your mind back to the present when feeling overwhelmed.
What is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique?
These are two adults in a school building you could talk to if your anxiety feels unmanageable.
Who are school counselor, social worker, teacher, etc.?
This behavior—staying away from things that cause anxiety—actually makes the fear stronger over time.
What is avoidance?