Act it Out
Pretend you are onstage performing a song that brings a smile to your face, makes you want to dance or relaxes you. Act it out by singing or humming that sound out loud.
Sing, hum or name the song that you would perform
Watching T.V. or playing video games for 3 hours or more is a healthy way to manage stress.
Sketch something that can stress you out sometimes.
Provide a sketch
Imagine if you were experiencing a crummy day, what would help you the most:
A.) Listen to Music
B.) Talk to an Adult You trust
C.) Play Outside
D.) Draw/Color/Create Art
E.) Build Something
F.) Go For a Walk
Any choice
List in order what stresses you out most about school, with 5 being the least and 1 being the most stressful:
A.) Taking tests
B.) Not understanding the material...Yet
C.) Homework
D.) Expected to stay sitting, still and quiet
E.) Presenting in front of class
Present what your order is
From the following list, chose the healthy, good for you coping tool and Act It Out:
A.) yelling at the next person who gets in your way
B.) playing video games for 3 hours straight
C.) taking a walk outside
C.) Taking a walk outside
It is best to ignore your feelings, pretending they are not there.
False
Draw a peaceful place that you can visualize and think about the next time you could use a calming coping tool.
Provide a sketch
Imagine if your friend told you they were stressed out because of something going on at home (and they didn't want to share any details), what are 3 helpful coping strategies you could suggest they try out?
Write about her/his feelings, talk with a teacher or friend, play a game, listen to music, complete a project...
List in order what stress you out the most about peer relationships, with 5 being the least and 1 being the most stressful:
A.) Making new friends/Meeting new people
B.) Being the target of bullying
C.) Fighting with friends
D.) Not fitting in
E.) Getting pressure to something you are not comfortable with
Order will vary
Choose a healthy coping strategy from the following suggestions, or come up with your own, and without words, Act It Out. See if the rest of the group can guess what the coping strategy is.
*read a book *write about how you feel *talk with a trusted adult *ride a bike *build something *practice yoga *paint or draw *cook or bake *think or white about 3 things for which you are grateful for
Act Out your coping skills
When life gets hard, asking an adult that you trust for help will only make it worse.
False
Draw something that helps you relate, with kindness and curiosity, to the feeling of anger.
Journal, exercise, talking to someone, taking a quiet moment, a pet...
Imagine if you were really worried about something, and noticed that it was effecting your ability to focus in school and sleep at night, name one person you could ask for help.
Mom, dad, teacher, counselor...
List in order what stresses you out the most about family with 5 being the least and 1 being the most stressful:
A.) Not having enough money
B.) Conflict/Problems with siblings
C.) Parents fighting
D.) Death of a loved one (pets included)
E.) Not spending enough time together
Order will vary
What is your favorite way to exercise to help you deal with uncomfortable feelings such as stress, anxiety or anger? Act It Out
Act Out your exercise
Exercising releases "feel-good," chemicals in our bodies that can improve our mood. And when we feel better, we often make better choices about how to deal with challenges.
True
Draw something you can do to take good, kind care of yourself when you feel sad.
Walk outside, draw, color, listen to music, talk with a friend, play with a pet...
Imagine if you asked to reach a class called "How to Relax". Show and tell us the relaxation technique you would teach.
Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, positive visualization
Coping strategies:
A.) are things people can to feel better and increase peace and calmness when life gets tough
B.) make things worse when life gets tough.
A
Choose 3 coping tools below and see if you can Act It Out in under 1 minute, as the rest of the group guesses which ones you are acting out.
1. Exercise (playing soccer, basketball, running)
2. Create Art (painting, drawing, sculpting)
3. Talking to someone you trust
4. Watch a funny movie
5. Go outside and connect with nature (watch the sky, climb a tree, garden, look for bugs, dig...)
6. Take a nap
7. Imagine a calm space or happy memory
8. Listen to music
9. Play or cuddle a pet
10. Read a book
Act Out as many coping skills within a minute and have group guess them
Exercising, taking mindful deep breaths, listening to music, drawing, playing and/or/snuggling with a pet, talking or writing about your feelings, thinking about what you are grateful for, imagining a peaceful place and making a list of 5 positive things are all healthy coping strategies.
True
Draw 3 things you are grateful for that you can remind yourself of when experiencing a really tough day.
Family, friends, favorite toys, hobby, pet, book...
Imagine if someone you cared about said something mean to you and you noticed you started to feel bad about yourself, what are 3 positive things about you (besides the fact that you are awesome, wonderful and loveable JUST AS YOU ARE) that you could remind yourself of?
Name three positive qualities
Top 3 things that help you get through hard and stressful times:
Answers will vary