11

Teenage StressTeenage Stress

Learning to Cope!Learning to Cope!

22

What is stress?What is stress? Webster's Webster's defines stress as a defines stress as a

physical, chemical, or emotional physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or factor that causes bodily or mental tension and that may be a mental tension and that may be a factor in causing disease.factor in causing disease.

Teenage Stress is a big thing, it Teenage Stress is a big thing, it can cause more harm than just a can cause more harm than just a few pimples. Teenage Stress has few pimples. Teenage Stress has been proven as an indirect cause been proven as an indirect cause of eating disorders, depression, of eating disorders, depression, social/physical/emotional social/physical/emotional changes, and even something as changes, and even something as serious as suicide. serious as suicide.

33

Causes of StressCauses of StressHow one's body reacts to How one's body reacts to change can be called stress. change can be called stress. These changes can come from :These changes can come from :

FeelingsFeelings SituationsSituations PeoplePeople

For example, going to a new For example, going to a new school is a change that can school is a change that can cause stress.cause stress.

44

StressorsStressors Things that cause stress Things that cause stress

are called stressors. For are called stressors. For example:example:

going to a new school going to a new school divorce or separation of divorce or separation of

parents parents winning an award winning an award taking a test taking a test death of a relative death of a relative being sick being sick

55

Causes of StressCauses of Stress Physical and chemicalPhysical and chemical factorsfactors that can that can

cause stress include trauma, infections, cause stress include trauma, infections, toxins, illnesses, and injuries of any sort. toxins, illnesses, and injuries of any sort.

Emotional causesEmotional causes of stress and tension are of stress and tension are numerous and varied. numerous and varied.

While many people associate the term While many people associate the term "stress" with "stress" with psychological stresspsychological stress, , scientists and physicians use this term to scientists and physicians use this term to identify any force that identify any force that impairs the stability impairs the stability and balance of bodily functionsand balance of bodily functions. .

66

Take the stress test to find out Take the stress test to find out what you already know about what you already know about stress. stress. Answer the next NINE stress Answer the next NINE stress questions:questions:

1.1. Which hormone, with increased Which hormone, with increased levels in states of both acute levels in states of both acute and chronic stress, is known as and chronic stress, is known as the "stress hormone"?the "stress hormone"?

a) a) estrogen estrogen b) b) cortisolcortisol c) c) thyroid hormone T3thyroid hormone T3d) d) testosterone testosterone

77

b) b) CCortisolortisolCortisol is a hormone which is Cortisol is a hormone which is found in elevated levels in states found in elevated levels in states of acute and chronic stress. of acute and chronic stress. Since cortisol levels rise rapidly Since cortisol levels rise rapidly in response to physical or in response to physical or emotional stresses, this hormone emotional stresses, this hormone has been called the "stress has been called the "stress hormone".hormone".

88

2. 2. True or false: "stressed-out" True or false: "stressed-out" people are more likely to catch a people are more likely to catch a cold than persons experiencing cold than persons experiencing minimal stress.minimal stress.a) a) truetrue b) b) falsefalse

TRUETRUE It's not just in your head that when It's not just in your head that when

your schedule is overloaded and your your schedule is overloaded and your stress is maximum, you're more likely stress is maximum, you're more likely to get sick. Lots of scientific evidence to get sick. Lots of scientific evidence shows that extreme stress can have a shows that extreme stress can have a negative effect on our immune negative effect on our immune systems, making us more susceptible systems, making us more susceptible to all kinds of infections.to all kinds of infections.

99

3.3. The term The term insomniainsomnia most most accurately refers to:accurately refers to: a) a) getting <4 hours of sleep per night getting <4 hours of sleep per night b) b) getting <8 hours of sleep getting <8 hours of sleep c) c) inadequate or poor-quality sleepinadequate or poor-quality sleepd) d) taking more than 1 hour to fall asleeptaking more than 1 hour to fall asleepInsomnia refers to the perception or Insomnia refers to the perception or complaint of complaint of poor-quality or inadequatepoor-quality or inadequate sleep. Changes in sleep patterns can sleep. Changes in sleep patterns can be a sign of excessive stress. be a sign of excessive stress.

1010

4.4. Which of the following has Which of the following has been promoted as "nature's anti-been promoted as "nature's anti-stress drug"?stress drug"?a) a) alcohol alcohol b) b) vitamin C vitamin C c) c) vitamin D vitamin D d) d) kava kava kavakavaKava kavaKava kava

- has been used in the ceremonial and cultural lives of - has been used in the ceremonial and cultural lives of South Pacific Islanders for thousands of years. Traditionally South Pacific Islanders for thousands of years. Traditionally taken as a strongly brewed beverage made from the roots taken as a strongly brewed beverage made from the roots of the plant of the plant Piper methysticumPiper methysticum, kava is consumed by , kava is consumed by modern users in capsule form. This herbal product produces modern users in capsule form. This herbal product produces a relaxed and mildly euphoric state, and it is often used to a relaxed and mildly euphoric state, and it is often used to treat symptoms of anxiety, stress, and tension.treat symptoms of anxiety, stress, and tension.

1111

5.5. Experiencing work or Experiencing work or personal stress can worsen personal stress can worsen which of the following medical which of the following medical conditions:conditions:a) a) diabetes diabetes b) b) heart disease heart disease c) c) asthma asthma d) d) all of the aboveall of the above

Psychological stress can make many medical Psychological stress can make many medical conditions worse! conditions worse! Stress is known to worsenStress is known to worsen existing existing heart diseaseheart disease, and high stress levels , and high stress levels can also cause high blood sugar levels in can also cause high blood sugar levels in diabeticsdiabetics. Recent studies also show that . Recent studies also show that asthma attacksasthma attacks, in some cases, can be , in some cases, can be precipitated by stress.precipitated by stress.

1212

6.6. Where is the "stress Where is the "stress hormone" cortisol produced hormone" cortisol produced in the body?in the body?a) adrenal glands b) pancreasa) adrenal glands b) pancreasc) brain c) brain d) in the d) in the nervesnervesThe stress hormone cortisol is made in The stress hormone cortisol is made in the cortex, or outer portion, of the the cortex, or outer portion, of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands. The adrenal glandsadrenal glands are are adjacent to the kidneys and produce a adjacent to the kidneys and produce a number of hormones important for body number of hormones important for body function. function.

1313

7.7. Which of the following is Which of the following is known to known to decreasedecrease the amount of the amount of stress you experience?stress you experience? a) a low cholesterol levela) a low cholesterol level b) a routine, boring job b) a routine, boring job c) having close friendships c) having close friendships d) elevated estrogen levels d) elevated estrogen levels

Research studies have shown that Research studies have shown that having having close connections with close connections with friendsfriends, family, and strong social , family, and strong social support systems can decrease the support systems can decrease the amount of stress you experience. amount of stress you experience.

1414

8.8. Stress has NOT been Stress has NOT been shown to cause:shown to cause:a) elevated blood cholesterol levelsa) elevated blood cholesterol levelsb) schizophrenia b) schizophrenia c) increased predisposition to heart attacks c) increased predisposition to heart attacks d) delayed wound healingd) delayed wound healing

Stress predisposes individuals to certain diseases Stress predisposes individuals to certain diseases such as such as heart diseaseheart disease. In fact, stress may worsen . In fact, stress may worsen many medical conditions and can lead to poor many medical conditions and can lead to poor immune & delayed tissue repair (wound healing). immune & delayed tissue repair (wound healing).

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder in which Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder in which patients have an altered sense of reality and are patients have an altered sense of reality and are not able to reason appropriately. Stress is not able to reason appropriately. Stress is notnot known to be a cause of schizophrenia.known to be a cause of schizophrenia.

1515

9.9. The term "hypertension" The term "hypertension" refers to:refers to:a) elevated blood pressurea) elevated blood pressureb) tightness in the muscles b) tightness in the muscles c) nervousness and irritabilityc) nervousness and irritabilityd) both b and c are correctd) both b and c are correct

HypertensionHypertension is the medical term is the medical term for for high blood pressurehigh blood pressure. Stress is . Stress is known to be a contributing known to be a contributing factor in high blood pressurefactor in high blood pressure

1616

Is all stress bad? Is all stress bad? NO!NO!

Most people define stress as worry, tension Most people define stress as worry, tension and pressure, but all stress isn't bad. and pressure, but all stress isn't bad. Some Some stress can be happy, exciting and stress can be happy, exciting and challengingchallenging. We need stress in our lives; . We need stress in our lives; without it life would be dull. without it life would be dull.

For example, right before a race, Mark For example, right before a race, Mark always feels a little nervous. This stress always feels a little nervous. This stress helps Mark stay alert and prepared. helps Mark stay alert and prepared.

Can you name a time when stress helped Can you name a time when stress helped you stay alert and prepared?you stay alert and prepared?

1717

Not Necessarily !Not Necessarily ! If stress disrupts body If stress disrupts body balance and function, balance and function, then is all stress bad?then is all stress bad?

1818

A mild degree of stress and A mild degree of stress and tension can sometimes be tension can sometimes be

beneficial. beneficial. Feeling mildly stressed when carrying Feeling mildly stressed when carrying

out a project or assignment often compels out a project or assignment often compels us to do a good job and to work us to do a good job and to work energetically. energetically.

Likewise, exercising can produce a Likewise, exercising can produce a temporary stress on some body functions, temporary stress on some body functions, but its health benefits are indisputable.but its health benefits are indisputable.

It is only when stress is overwhelming, It is only when stress is overwhelming, or poorly managed, that its negative or poorly managed, that its negative effects appear.effects appear.

1919

What causes stress to be good What causes stress to be good or bad? or bad?

Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs about a situation can make stress about a situation can make stress good (pleasant) or bad good (pleasant) or bad (unpleasant).(unpleasant).

2020

Situations that cause us to feel happy, Situations that cause us to feel happy, excited, surprised, etc, can be called excited, surprised, etc, can be called good stressorsgood stressors

Situations that cause us to feel sad, Situations that cause us to feel sad, scared, mad, etc, can be called scared, mad, etc, can be called bad bad stressorsstressors..

What is a What is a good (happy, excitedgood (happy, excited, etc) , etc) stressorstressor for you? for you?

What is a What is a bad (sad, scaredbad (sad, scared, etc) , etc) stressorstressor for you? for you?

2121

SOME SIGNS OF STRESSSOME SIGNS OF STRESS Physical Physical (body)(body)

HeadachesHeadachesNervousnessNervousnessRashesRashesStomachachesStomachachesFast heartbeatFast heartbeatPerspirationPerspiration Increased urinationIncreased urination

2222

SOME SIGNS OF STRESSSOME SIGNS OF STRESSMental (mind)Mental (mind)

Lack of ConcentrationLack of ConcentrationForgetfulnessForgetfulnessDrop in school performanceDrop in school performanceUnable to studyUnable to studyCarelessnessCarelessness

2323

SOME SIGNS OF STRESSSOME SIGNS OF STRESSEmotional (feelings)Emotional (feelings)

BoredBored Anger outburstsAnger outbursts NightmaresNightmares Sad/depressedSad/depressed ScaredScared WithdrawnWithdrawn FightingFighting

2424

Stress ManagementStress Management The goal is to identify resources to help you The goal is to identify resources to help you

managemanage the stresses in your life. the stresses in your life. Note: Note: Not Not eliminationelimination or even or even reductionreduction of of

stress, because stress is a part of normal life. stress, because stress is a part of normal life. It's impossible to completely eliminate stress, It's impossible to completely eliminate stress, and it would not be advisable to do so. and it would not be advisable to do so.

Instead, we can Instead, we can learn to manage stresslearn to manage stress so so that we have control over our stress and its that we have control over our stress and its effects on our physical and mental health. effects on our physical and mental health.

2525

How Do You Balance the How Do You Balance the Stress in Your Life?Stress in Your Life?

Stay aware of your Stay aware of your signs of stresssigns of stress. If . If you are having signs of stress, follow you are having signs of stress, follow the tips below to avoid stress the tips below to avoid stress overload (distress).overload (distress).

Since stress will be with us the rest Since stress will be with us the rest of our lives, it is important to know of our lives, it is important to know some ways of some ways of dealing with stressdealing with stress..

2626

Ways to handle too much Ways to handle too much stressstress

Take deep breaths/Practice Take deep breaths/Practice deep breathing exercises deep breathing exercises

Watch your thoughts/think Watch your thoughts/think positive positive

Find time to relax and cool Find time to relax and cool out out

Pray or read something Pray or read something inspirational inspirational

Visualize what you want to Visualize what you want to happen happen

2727

Ways to handle too much Ways to handle too much stressstress

Use pressure points to reduce Use pressure points to reduce headaches headaches

Eat a nutritious meal or snack Eat a nutritious meal or snack Take one thing at a time Take one thing at a time Talk problems over with a Talk problems over with a

friend or counselor friend or counselor Don't dwell on your Don't dwell on your

weaknessesweaknesses

2828

Ways to handle too much Ways to handle too much stressstress

Feel proud of your Feel proud of your accomplishments accomplishments

Exercise daily Exercise daily Do muscle tension Do muscle tension

relaxation exercises relaxation exercises Punch a pillow, scream or Punch a pillow, scream or

kick a can kick a can Prepare for tests early Prepare for tests early Set realistic goalsSet realistic goals

2929

Ways to handle too much Ways to handle too much stressstress

Stop worrying about things Stop worrying about things that may never happen that may never happen

Learn from your mistakes Learn from your mistakes Forgive yourself and others Forgive yourself and others Get involved with things you Get involved with things you

like to do like to do Make time for fun Make time for fun Do something for others Do something for others

I love dancing!

3030

TEENAGE STRESSTEENAGE STRESS It’s Manageable!It’s Manageable!Try the Stress Self-Assessment Quiz Try the Stress Self-Assessment Quiz

to evaluate the stress level in your to evaluate the stress level in your life.life.

Remember, stress is normal and can Remember, stress is normal and can be a good thing in helping motivate be a good thing in helping motivate us to be our best!us to be our best!