Stress
"Our body’s response to real or imagined dangers or other life events."
What is this the definition of?
Stress
True or False: The hormone, Cortisol, helps you cope with stress.
True
Is the stress listed below good or bad?
Stressing out a little bit over an upcoming test.
This stress is good because it can motivate you to make time to study well.
When polled nationally, what was the most prevalent source of stress among teens, and what percentage of teens gave this answer?
83% said School Related Stress.
Is it important to try to manage your stress? Why?
It is important to control your stress levels to ensure that you are living a healthy and happy life. Too much stress can impact your relationships, mood, body, and brain from functioning at their best.
The events that provoke or trigger stress are called _________?
Stressors
What are some examples of your stressors?
True or False: Our blood pressure decreases when we experience a stress response.
False. Our BP increases as blood vessels dilate, allowing more blood to flow to large muscle groups to prepare for fight or flight response.
True or False: Distress provides you with lots of energy to handle emergencies, meet challenges, and excel.
False. Too much can have significant negative impacts on your brain and body.
What would you do if you had a hunch that your friend was super stressed about something?
Check in with them/listen, ask if you can help or what they need, give space, remind them they are great and that it is ok to feel bad sometimes, or tell a trusted adult if you are concerned about their safety or wellness.
What are some unhealthy ways to deal with stress?
Anything that negatively impacts your health, relationships, wellness, or quality of life.
Can you give some examples?
This type of stress can actually be a good thing and can make us more alert and motivated (think nerves before an important sports game or preparing for a test)
Eustress
True or False: During a stress response, your body goes through physical changes to prepare you to react and handle the pressure of the moment.
True
True or False: Stressing so much about how your friend feels because she didn't text you back that you can't sleep is healthy/helpful stress.
False. That is distress and it is not helpful and lots of worrying can cause health/emotional problems for people.
Name three stressors (events that trigger stress) that might happen at home.
Parents divorce/fighting, siblings, financial trouble, family health problems, pet health, etc.
What are some stressors in your home?
Name some people you might talk to or reach out to if you were feeling super stressed.
Parents, friends, Circle Park staff, siblings, coaches, friend's parents, doctor, or counselor.
True or False: Stress is always bad for your body.
False. Stress can be good for your body, if it's not constant/chronic, and does not result in negative impacts on your life or wellbeing.
True or False: Hormones have nothing to do with stress response.
False. Hormones are a major player in stress responses.
What is the name of the hormone?
True or False: Eustress, or positive stress, is short-term, energizes you, and keeps you focused on the goal.
True
List three ways to help keep stress under control.
Don’t over schedule your life, be realistic (don’t try to be perfect because no one is perfect), get enough sleep, set aside time to relax, live a healthy life, stay active and eat healthy, meditate, read, practice breathing exercises.
Without knowing the _____________, it is hard to manage stress.
a. Proper techniques
b. Source of stress
c. Correct breathing methods
d. Weather
B. Source of Stress
Name 3 signs that someone might be stressed.
Overeating, smoking, isolating self from others, sensitive to noises, digestion/stomach issues, irritable, changes in academic performance, trouble sleeping, very sad.
True or False: Your body knows the difference between a saber tooth tiger as a stressor and a huge math test as a stressor.
False. Instinctively, and initially, your body's stress response doesn't know the difference, so your logical and emotional portions of your brain need to intervene and calm yourself down.
True or False: Stressing about what other people are stressing about is helpful to them.
False. It is not helpful for others to stress/worry about what others might be worried about.
What might be helpful if someone you know is stressed about something?
What do you think, "When in doubt, zoom out" means?
When you are experiencing stress about something, you have tunnel vision. Zooming out, and having perspective/focusing on what is real and positive can be helpful. Essentially, looking at the big picture.
True or False: People mostly have similar stressors and respond to them the same way.
False. People have similar things that are stressful, but some manage them differently, impacting their life in different ways.