Understanding Stress Learning Objectives Understand different types of

Understanding Stress

Learning Objectives ● Understand different types of stress ● Understand what stress feels like in the body ● Understand how stress affects thinking, feeling, and behavior ● Understand unhelpful thinking styles when faced with stress ASCA Standards: M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being, B-SMS 6. Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning, B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem, B-SS 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills Tennessee State School Counseling standards: AS 1. Use test-taking, time management, organization, and study skills to improve academic achievement, AS 4. Utilize resources to overcome barriers to learning, SS 8. Persevere through challenges to achieve goals, SS 9. Select and utilize appropriate coping skills in the face of a specific challenge, CS 3. Utilize internal and external resources to manage transitions and adapt to changing situations/responsibilities.

So. . What is stress?

Common Stress/Anxiety Symptoms

Stress isn’t ALWAYS bad. . . ● Can motivate you to get work done ● Can motivate you to study extra or work hard ● Can encourage you to reach out to friends or family to vent ● Can boost your confidence when you’re dealing with problems in the future (I’ve dealt with this before and it wasn’t so bad!) ● Can motivate you to make necessary changes

Types of Stress *Both Positive and Tolerable Stress can be managed through healthy coping skills and support from a caring adult

Flight, Fight or Stress puts our brains in survival mode and triggers the Flight, Fight, or Freeze response ● Flight: Oh yikes. . Looks like it’s time to avoid this at all costs! ● Fight: I’ll deal with this right away! ● Freeze: Can’t think… too stressed!!

Common Coping Styles to Stress

Tackling the Problem ● Deals with the problem or feeling right away ● Eliminates the stressor ● Person feels better once the stressor is gone ● Is this always realistic? Avoiding the Problem ● Saves the problem for later ● Allows the person to choose the timing of when to confront the issue ● Stress may go away temporarily, but will not be completely gone until the person goes back and deals with the problem

Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. . .

Unhelpful Thinking Styles

References Cal State University Northridge. (2018) Anxiety toolbox: student workbook. [PDF file]. Retrieved from http: //www. collegecounseling. org/resources/Conferences/2019%20 Con ference/2019%20 PPT/Thursday/CSUN%20 Anxiety%20 Toolbox%20 Student%20 Workbook. pdf Center on the Developing Child (n. d. ) Toxic stress. Retrieved from https: //developingchild. harvard. edu/science/key-concepts/toxic-stress/ Ginsburg, K. R. , & Kinsman, S. B. (2014). Guiding adolescents to use healthy strategies to manage stress. Elk Grove Village, IL. American Academy of Pediatrics.