Common Reactions to Stress
True or False: There is only one normal way to react to stress.
False, there are many different ways people might react to stress.
True or False: There is only one way to think about any given situation.
False. There are many possible thoughts we can have about one situation.
True or False: The more we practice using helpful thoughts, the easier it is for our brains to automatically have helpful thoughts (which, in turn, help us feel better).
True
What is an example of one unhealthy coping strategy and one healthy coping strategy?
Many possible answers (i.e. unhealthy: drug use, self-harm, overeating; healthy: journaling, exercise, talking to someone you trust).
Describe a situation when you might be at a 7 on your Feelings/Stress Thermometer.
Many possible answers.
What do thoughts, feelings, and actions have to do with each other?
What we think about a situation impacts how we feel, which impacts how we respond/what we do.
What is a neuron?
A brain cell.
Name two healthy habits that can reduce symptoms of stress.
Many possible answers (i.e. daily exercise, eating healthy, 9-10 hours of sleep each night, drink lots of water, daily mindfulness exercise).
Describe one mindfulness or relaxation exercise we did over the past 6 weeks.
Many possible answers (i.e. Tracing Mindfulness, Breathing Exercises, Yoga, Journaling).
Come up with one helpful and one unhelpful thought for the following scenario: Your best friend didn't text you back.
Many possible answers.
Why is it easy to cross our arms one way and not the other?
Because, through practice, we have created a neural pathway that makes it easy and automatic to cross our arms one way. Since we haven’t practiced crossing our arms the other way as often, the neural pathway for that action isn’t as strong, so that action isn’t as easy.
Why is a Habit Tracker useful?
It takes time to build healthy habits (since it requires us to rewire our brains), so this tool helps encourage you to commit to healthy habits each day. It can also help you track your progress.
Name two body feelings you might have when you feel stressed or worried.
Many possible answers (i.e. sweaty hands, weak legs, tense muscles, fast heartbeat, butterflies in your stomach).
Name one question you can ask yourself to help challenge your thoughts.
Is there another way to look at this? Is there another reason why this would happen? Even if this thought is true, what’s the worst/best/most likely thing to happen? Is there anything I can do about this? How do I know this is true? Has this happened to me or others before? What are my strengths?
How might we shift our thinking around the following thought: I might get COVID-19.
Many possible answers (i.e. Focus on what we are doing to keep ourselves and others safe, Focus on what others are doing to keep themselves and others safe, Focus on what we are doing to keep our anxiety/stress levels under control, Focus on ways we have overcome past stressful situations.)
Name four healthy coping strategies.
Many possible answers (i.e. journal, spend time in nature, exercise, read, listen to music, yoga, deep breathing, create art, spend time with a pet, talk to someone you trust, mindfulness, challenge unhelpful thoughts, clean, get organized, make a to do list).
Name two common reactions to stress.
Many possible answers (i.e. headaches, stomachaches, feeling scared for no reason, having trouble concentrating, feeling sad/angry/ashamed).
Come up with five helpful thoughts for the following scenario: You get a low grade on a test at school.
Many possible answers (i.e. I will do better on the next one. I can ask the teacher for extra credit opportunities. I am good at many things. I will study with a friend next time.)
What does practicing mindfulness do to our neural pathways?
Practicing mindfulness creates/strengthens the neural pathways that help us remain calm and less emotionally reactive when faced with stress. By practicing letting thoughts/feelings pass without getting all caught up in them, we better prepare our minds for moments of stress and emotional discomfort.
Lead the group in two yoga poses.
Many possible yoga poses.