STRESS TAKE THE STRESS TEST What is Stress

STRESS

TAKE THE STRESS TEST…

What is Stress? • “A particular pattern of disturbing psychological and physiological reactions that occur when an environment threatens important motives and taxes one’s ability to cope” • The ‘wear and tear’ our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment

Stress = Good or Bad? GOOD -everyone needs a little bit of stress in their lives -stress pumps us up, gives us energy and supplies a zest for living BAD -extreme stress -long term stress

The Causes of Stress • In groups of 3 -4, split one page of paper amongst you and divide it into two columns • Create in one column a list of things that STRESS you out! • Choose one person to present to the class

Causes of Stress 1. Emotional/Psychological Factors -academic pressure -peer pressure -new relationships 2. Hormonal Factors -changes to hormone levels -change to body creates stress -puberty causes changes and made lead to stress

Causes of Stress 3. Physical Factors -Illness -Self Image -Too many activities 4. Environmental Factors -social group changes -change in schools -change in living environment

Symptoms of Stress • Problems concentrating • Over-reacting • Decreased performance • Tired/mood swings • Difficulty sleeping • Increased heart rate/rapid breathing • Alcohol/Drug Addiction

Our Body & Stress Neurotransmitters -send and receive messages b/w brain cells 2 Kinds 1. Happy 2. Sad – too much stress causes these to fail and are overtaken by… -- when lots = overstress

Our Body & Stress 3 Kinds of “Happy’ Messengers 1. 2. 3. Serotonin – controls your “body clock” Noradrenalin – sets our energy levels Dopamine – controls endorphines

Our Body & Stress Tolerance -amount of stress you can handle before your happy messengers begin to fail 10% of the pop. has inherited low stress tolerance… 1/10 feels stress all the time

What DOESN’T help? • Sugar – worsens overstress (sugar low) • Alcohol – liver failure; increased violence • Tobacco – lung, artery damage; cancer • Caffeine – abnormal heart rhythm • Illegal Drugs – convulsions, overdose…

How to lower your stress load? • In your groups of 3 -4, add some possible ways to deal with the stressful situations in your lives. • Put your answers in the second column directly beside the “stressors”

Helpful Strategies • • • Exercise – releases endorphines Relaxation Techniques Relax – “Relax, take each day at one time…you have the rest of your life to live” Time Management – make up a schedule Eat properly – vegetables, vitamins Define your sleeping hours…stick to them – Youth should get between 7 -9 hours a night! • Talk to others – find someone to sit down with • Take quiet time for yourself • Grab your MP 3 and hit the streets for a walk/run/bike

Don’t Let Stress Win…