STRESS

Do you think stress is always something negative? Actually, stress can

either be negative or positive!
Stress
-is defined as the physiological (or physical) and emotional responses to a
significant or unexpected change or disruption in one’s life (Payne, et al., 2005).
It may also refer to “what you feel when you react to pressure, either from
the outside world (school, family, friends) or from yourself i.e. wanting to fit in,
wanting to do well in school.
Stressor
-refers to the things that make a person stressed.
There are two different kinds of stress
1. Eustress
-refers to a positive and healthy response of the body from a stressor.
It produces good effects to one’s well-being. For example, a person, who studied
for long hours then tool and got an outstanding grade in the exam, may feel
happiness and enjoyment.
2. Distress
-refers to a negative reaction of the body towards a given stressor. It may
cause problems in health, alter the mood and emotions, and even affect the way a
person woke up late for work, he or she may feel anger and disappointment.

Is stress Normal and Inevitable? Yes! Stress is

normal and inevitable
Everyday we experience different kinds of stress. Some are good and some
are not, that no one is spared from experiencing stress because it is part of our
lives.
COMMON AREAS OF STRESSOR THAT AFFECT STRESS
Common stressors that affect adolescents:
• Schools
• Parents
• Peer groups
• Lack of life skills
• Personal thoughts
SCHOOL
People have different learning styles, interests and strenghts.
Unfortunately, school is a standard structure that doesn’t take this
differences into consideration.
PARENTS
a. High expectations are a big stress and challenge for young
people.
b. After school activities are important but become a stressor if
parents expect their teens to be involved in too many.
c. Stressed parents can transfer their stress on to their children.
 LACK OF LIFE SKILLS
Skills such as organization and time management are important stress
preventers. Likewise, an absence of these valuable skills can make life more hectic
and chaotic.
The effects of stress in your body
Stress is any change in the environment that requires your body to react
and adjust in response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental
and emotional responses.
Some sources of stress for teens include:
• Schools demands and frustrations.
• Negative thoughts or feelings about the themselves.
• Changes in their bodies.
• Problems with friends and/or peers at school.
• Unsafe living environment/ neighborhood.
• Separation or divorce of parents.
• Chronic illness or severe problems in the family.
• Death of loved one.
• Moving or changing schools.
• Taking on too many activities or having too high expectations.
• Family financial problems.

Mental health
-includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects
how we think, feel, and act. It also determine how we handle stress, relate to others,
and make choices.

Factors that contributes to mental health problems:

• Biological factor, such as genes or brain chemistry.
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse;
• Family history of mental health problems.
Emotional health
-it means you’re aware of your emotions. You can deal with them,
whether they’re positive or negative. Emotionally healthy people still feel
stress, anger, and sadness. But they know how to manage their negative
feelings.

Ways to improve or maintain good emotional health

• Be aware of your emotions and reactions.

• Express your feelings in appropriate ways.
• Think before you act.
• Manage stress
• Strive for balance.
• Take care of your physical health.
• Connect with others.
• Find purpose and meaning.
• Stay positive.
Activity 1: DOODLE IT Directions:
1. Answer the question, “what are you thinking and feeling right now?”
2. Draw pictures or write words and phrases that best describe your
answer.

Let’s Reflect

a. Do the things you think and feel affect your everyday life.
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b. How does your body respond to the things you think and feel?
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c. When was the last time you got stressed?

3. _________________________________________________________________________
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a. What is stress?
4. _________________________________________________________________________
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Activity 3: Describing stress.

Questions:
List all the activities that you do to relieve oneself from stress.