(De)Stress
What does it mean to be "stressed"?
Your thoughts, emotions, or body feels tense. You are feeling overwhelmed about something. Often, when we have too much to do or we have too high expectations (of ourself or that we are expected to achieve), then we feel under pressure and are stressed.
What are three things a parent can help you with?
Options of Answers Include:
School (Homework) | Overcoming fear | Food | Emotional Support | Stress | Physical Health | Friendship Problems
I just met my friend. I should trust them with my personal information.
'True or False' and why?
FALSE
That person could not be a friend but could be dangerous. That person could spread your information to others and gossip.
1) Is negative self-talk healthy?
2) Is positive self-talk healthy?
1) No, it is not healthy for you. Look at the short-and-long term effects to know more.
2) Yes, it is healthy for you. Look at the short-and-long term effects to know more.
Think of 2 options to reframe this negative thought: "I cannot do this homework".
Possible Options Include:
This homework is difficult, but I know I can do it.
Maybe I just need some help. Let me ask my friend or a teacher to see if they can explain it to me.
I can do this homework. I can keep trying.
Even if I don't get all the right answers, I can keep trying to do this homework.
Why do students sometimes have more stress in Grade 6?
There is more work and responsibility. There are exams.
What are three things a friend can help you with?
Possible Options Include:
Talk about secrets | Give emotional support | Help you with things you find difficult | Help learn a new language | Help you meet new people | Bullies | Homework
An adult who asks me to keep a secret which is not a safe secret (ex. that there is going to be a surprise party) is not trustworthy.
'True or False' and why?
TRUE
Sometimes an untrustworthy adult might ask you to keep a dangerous or unsafe secret, or a secret that makes you uncomfortable. Do not keep those secrets because you do not want yourself or someone else to be hurt.
1) What is negative self-talk?
2) What is positive self-talk?
Self-talk are the thoughts we have inside our head.
1) If we have negative self-talk, we are thinking negatively about ourselves. We are using negative words to describe ourselves.
2) If we have positive self-talk, we are thinking positively about ourselves. We are using positive words to describe ourselves.
Think of 1 option to reframe this negative thought: "Playing football is too difficult, I want to give up".
Possible Options Include:
I'm still learning to play football, I know I can get better with time.
Maybe I can play with a friend and they can help me learn and get better. I know I can do it.
I won't give up, I can keep trying and I know I can do this. I believe in myself.
What are three signs of stress?
Feelings (ex. worried, frustrated, overwhelmed)
Thoughts (ex. "there is too much to do", overthinking)
Physical Body (ex. trouble sleeping, increased heart rate & breathing, body hurts, feel sick)
List 2 academic, 2 social, 1 emotional, and 1 other thing you might need help with.
Options for Academic Include:
Math | Exams | Homework | Difficulty focusing on class | ADHD or any other thing that can make it difficult to be in class | Can be embarrassed to ask a question in class/to the teacher | Not understanding something at school | Organizing yourself | Studying
Options for Social Include:
Conflicts with other people (ex. argument) | Bullies at school | Talking with (new) people → shy, anxiety (making friends) | Communicating with other people | Family problems | Friend problems | Not being included (being excluded)
Options for Emotional Include:
Confusion - how things work in Secondary | Random crazy thoughts | Confidence (in class too) | Self-esteem | Anger | Sadness | Feeling scared, sad, angry (negative emotions) | Feeling excited, happy (positive emotions) | Organizing emotions | Emotional support | Video game addiction | Nervous, anxious
Options for Other Include:
Physical injuries | Physical injuries caused by an emotional problem | Any type of addiction | Any problems happening at home (fight with family, abuse) | Getting lost in thoughts - maybe getting a headache with too many (confusing) thoughts
If your friend spreads rumors about other people, steals things from other people, and does other untrustworthy things with other people - is it possible they can do those things to you too?
Yes, it is possible.
If a friend is doing other untrustworthy things then you might want to be careful. It's possible they are already doing them with you, or might do them if you two have a fight or they are angry with you.
1) How can negative self-talk make people feel?
2) How can positive self-talk make people feel?
1) Options include: Sad | Emotional | Gloomy | Paranoid | Insecure | Unhappy | Stressed | Angry | Bad
2) Options include: Happy | Excited | Calm | Positive | De-Stressed | Healthy | Energized | Good
Think of 1 option to reframe this negative thought: "I have no friends".
Possible Options Include:
Maybe I can make a new friend. --- person looks like s/he would be a good friend.
I do have friends. I am feeling sad right now which makes me feel like I have no friends. Let me go talk to ---- friend to cheer up.
1) What does it mean to "de-stress"?
2) Why is it important to de-stress?
1) It means to do something that releases your stress, so that you feel calm and relaxed.
2) It is important because otherwise stress can negatively affect our physical health, happiness, and mental health.
What are some emotional problems you might need help with?
Example Answers Include:
Feeling scared, sad, angry (negative emotions)
Feeling excited, happy (positive emotions)
Organizing emotions
Emotional support
Video game addiction
Nervous, anxious
Confusion - how things work in Secondary
Random crazy thoughts
Confidence (in class too)
Self-esteem
Anger
Sadness
What are 4 signs of a good and trustworthy friend?
Possible Options Include:
They listen to you and your problems, and try to help | They don't spread rumors about you | They keep your safe secrets to themselves | They get you help when you need it, even if it means telling a secret | When you and your friend make a plan to hang-out, your friend remembers and shows-up | You can let your friend borrow things and you know your friend will give it back
1) What are short-term effects of negative self-talk?
2) What are short-term effects of positive self-talk?
1) Feeling stressed | Crying | Getting a little sick (lower immune system) | Headache | Having a nightmare | Trouble sleeping
2) Feeling happy | Being positive | Having greater life satisfaction | Being full of energy | Being more confident
Think of 1 option to reframe this negative thought: "I hate my parents and their stupid rules".
Possible Options Include:
I don't hate my parents. I am feeling angry right now because I don't like one of the rules. Let me talk some time to relax and calm down, then think again.
I don't like this rule my parents made, but I understand that they made this rule to keep me safe. It is good for me to follow this rule.
Give four examples of how to de-stress.
2) Talking (talk to someone when you're stressed and about what is happening in your life, write in a journal)
3) Hobbies (find a hobby that you do by yourself or with others, and make time for it every week)
4) Me Time (have time for yourself to unwind - ex. listen to music, take a relaxing shower, self-massage, eat something yummy, etc.)
1. List three adults who can help you at school. 2. Tell what they can help you with.
Correct Options can Include:
*Teacher (can help with homework, questions about class, bullies)
*School Counselor (can help with classes, emotional support, bullies, self-esteem, things you don't want to share with other people, etc.)
*Principal or Academic Coordinator (can help with following rules, can listen to your opinion about school and maybe change things)
*Janitor (can help you clean-up a mess and maybe has found one of your lost items)
*A Secretary (can help you with questions about going home early, if you lost something, etc.)
What is a 'test' you can give someone to see if they are trustworthy?
You can do the same thing with a fake, made-up secret.
1) What are long-term effects of negative self-talk?
2) What are long-term effects of positive self-talk?
1) Chronic stress | Chronic sleep problems | Depression | Anxiety | Thoughts of suicide | Eating disorder | Body dysmorphia | Always feeling insecure | Distancing yourself from other people | Taking alcohol/drugs | Unhealthy lifestyle | Living less long
2) Being positive in hard situations | Having less stress | Being healthier | Living longer | Having better cancer-treatment recovery | Being more motivated and productive
Think of 2 options to reframe this negative thought: "I hate myself".
Possible Options Include:
There are things about myself that I like, for example ------.
I do not hate myself. I am feeling very sad right now, but I do like myself.
I love myself and I love these things about myself: -----.