COPING WITH STRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING COPING
COPING WITH STRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
COPING WITH S 1 TRESS 2 Which emoji would you pick for each stage to show it might feel to be the elastic band? What one word title could you give to each of these four images? 3 4
STRES S What is stress? How might stress make someone feel? What causes stress? How might someone cope with stress?
LEARNIN G M O C T U O By the end of the lesson I can: ES 1 Identify some of the signs of stress 2 Explain what is happening in our brains during times of stress 3 Evaluate ways to regulate physical and emotional reactions to stress
SIGNS OF RESS T S Stress can affect us physically BODY What might happen to the body? BEHAVIOURS What might the person be doing or not doing? MIND What might happen to the mind? FEELINGS How might they be feeling? as well as mentally, through the way we think, feel and behave. What do you already know about the signs of stress? Using images, lines or words, add on the signs of stress you already know to the outline of the person.
SIGNS OF S have missed: SAdd. Ton. Rany. Eyou. Smight BODY • • • Headaches Sweating Dry mouth Upset stomach Heart beating faster Tight chest MIND • • Confusion Forgetful Repetative thoughts Hard to make decisions BEHAVIOU • Change in appetite RS • • • Change in behaviour Change in sleep patterns Clumsiness FEELINGS • • Worried Low mood CHALLENGE 1. Which do you think are the most obvious signs of stress? 2. Which signs might be easily missed and why?
STRESS: WHAT IS G N I N E P P A H Using the images a guide, put the explanations of each Rorder. N in. O Istage the. U correct NS? I BRA CHALLENGE: Look back to the ‘signs of stress’ worksheet - how do these physical signs show the body preparing for fight, flight or freeze?
STRESS: WHAT IS ? G N I N E P HAP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1 If someone has a more sensitive amygdala, how might this change their response to stress? 2 Our ‘window of tolerance’ means how much stress we can cope with before sending messages to our amygdala. What might this mean for different people’s responses to the same situation? 3 In what ways might it be helpful for young people to understand what is happening in their brain during times of stress? IMRA N RACHE L DONN IE
STRESS: WHAT ELPS? H Some stress is a normal part of life. It can be helpful in motivating us to grow as people, but it can also be challenging. There are some strategies that can help before, during and after stressful events.
N O I S S U C S I D S N O I T S E QU 1 What might be the benefit of using some of these strategies before a stressful event or when the first signs of stress appear? 2 Stress isn’t always associated with a specific event. What advice would you give to a young person who was feeling signs of stress but wasn’t sure why? 3 Why might it be important to use these strategies after a stressful event? 4 Do you think everyone would find the same strategies helpful? Explain your answer. STRESS FACT: Even if you have a smaller window of tolerance or a more sensitive amygdala, by looking after your physical and mental wellbeing through things like physical activity, creativity, mindfulness and talking about how you feel, your amygdala can calm down and your window of tolerance can grow!
S E I G E T A R WHAT ST E G A N A M O T P L E H N CA STRESS?
T A H W : S S E STR HAVE YOU ? Tmight LEARNHow stress make What is stress? someone feel? What causes stress? How might someone cope with stress?
O I T C E L F E R N From what we have learnt in this lesson, what could be done to make sure the elastic band doesn’t become over-stretched and stressed? Write down one useful thing that you will remember from todays lesson on a post-it note.
I T S O P N G I S NG A little bit of stress can be normal, but if you are regularly feeling stressed or have feelings of being very stressed, then it is very important that you speak to a trusted adult it. Sometimes just talking about our feelings can help and sometimes more support is needed. Use the support systems within your school, speak to your GP or you can call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit www. childline. co. uk Websites you can visit for more information: NHS www. nhs. uk/live-well Rise Above riseabove. org. uk The Mix www. themix. org. uk Clear Fear App www. clearfear. co. uk Kooth App www. kooth. com
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