COPING WITH STRESS IN MIDDLE AND LATE ADOLESCENCE

COPING WITH STRESS IN MIDDLE AND LATE ADOLESCENCE Prepared by Mary Krystine P. Olido

Stress • A reaction of the mind and body to a stimulus that disturbs the well-being, state of calm, or equilibrium of a person.

• Psychologists believe that small and sporadic amounts of stress can be helpful and beneficial to individuals HOWEVER, • Excessive amounts of stress sustained over a lengthy period of time can be destructive to both physical and mental health

Stress as Stimulus, Response, and Relational

• As STIMULUS – stress is caused by situations that may be life threatening or life changing, such as separation, moving into a new home, or having a new job. • These situations or events are often called stressors.

• As a RESPONSE – the way the body reacts to challenging situations. This involves the interactions between the hormones, glands, and nervous system where the adrenal gland drives the production of cortisol or better known as “stress hormone”

– Norepinephrine – triggers the body’s reaction, such as an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and respiration, to prepare the body for action.

• As RELATIONAL – when a person experiencing stress takes a step back to look at the situation that is causing the stress, and assesses it. – Assessment – when the person allows reasoning to prevail and weigh the relevance or irrelevance of the situation (Positive and Negative Relevance).

HEALTHY STRESS • Stress that can motivate, energize, and spur an individual into fruitful action – Example: Speaking in front of an audience; stage performers, competing in sports Bad stress can be transformed into good stress depending on how an individual assesses the situation.

Two Sources of Stress • External Stressors – stressors that come outside of you like situations, people, and experiences • Internal Stressors – those coming from within you, like thoughts that caused you to feel fearful, uncertainties about the future, lack of control over situations, and even your personal beliefs, which include your own expectations.

Possible Stressors a High School Student Faces 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. School demands and expectations Selecting a school, college course, or career Separation anxiety College life Romantic relationships or lack of it Family demands and expectations Health concerns Demands of social life Bullying

COPING • A very important mechanism in dealing with stress • Can help in avoiding the damages that may be brought about by severe or chronic stress to your health and well-being

COPING • Can be problem-focused, when remedies or solutions are thought of to change the situation to lessen the stress • Emotion-focused – when the objective is to lessen the emotional impact caused by the stressful situation - (Feist and Rosenberg, 2012)

COPING/ Stress-reduction Methods 1. Conduct creative imagery of the problem 2. Seek group or social support 3. Get into relaxation activities like breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, reading a good book, listening to music, etc. 4. Relate a situation where you can feel more relaxed like a quiet environment or a comfortable position 5. Learnt o manage your time 6. Eat properly by selecting nutritious, healthy food

Group Activity • Share a personal experience about a stressful situation you were in and what kind of coping mechanism helped you manage the situation.

Written Work • In your journal, describe your personal ways in coping with stress.

Source • Personal Development by Ricardo Rubio Santos

Assignment • Prepare for a long quiz next meeting. • Coverage: – Knowing Oneself – Developing the Whole Person – Developmental Stages in Middle and Late Adolescence – The Challenges of Middle and Late Adolescence