Teenage Stress

Learning to Cope!

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 What is stress?
 Webster's defines stress as a physical,
chemical, or emotional factor that
causes bodily or mental tension and
that may be a factor in causing
disease.

 Teenage Stress is a big thing, it can

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

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

 Feelings
 Situations
 People

For example, going to a new school

is a change that can cause stress.

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Stressors
 Things that cause stress are
called stressors. For
example:
 going to a new school
 divorce or separation of
parents
 winning an award
 taking a test
 death of a relative
 being sick
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 Causes of Stress
 Physical and chemical factors that can cause
stress include trauma, infections, toxins,
illnesses, and injuries of any sort.
 Emotional causes of stress and tension are
numerous and varied.
 While many people associate the term "stress"
with psychological stress, scientists and
physicians use this term to identify any force
that impairs the stability and balance of bodily
functions.

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

1. Which hormone, with increased

levels in states of both acute and
chronic stress, is known as the
"stress hormone"?
a) estrogen
b) cortisol
c) thyroid hormone T3
d) testosterone 6
 b) Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone which is found
in elevated levels in states of acute
and chronic stress. Since cortisol
levels rise rapidly in response to
physical or emotional stresses, this
hormone has been called the "stress
hormone".

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2. True or false: "stressed-out"
people are more likely to catch a cold
than persons experiencing minimal
stress.
a) true b) false
TRUE
It's not just in your head that when your
schedule is overloaded and your stress is
maximum, you're more likely to get sick.
Lots of scientific evidence shows that
extreme stress can have a negative effect
on our immune systems, making us more
susceptible to all kinds of infections.
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3. The term insomnia most accurately
refers to:
a) getting <4 hours of sleep per night
b) getting <8 hours of sleep
c) inadequate or poor-quality sleep
d) taking more than 1 hour to fall asleep

Insomnia refers to the perception or

complaint of poor-quality or inadequate
sleep. Changes in sleep patterns can be a
sign of excessive stress.
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 4. Which of the following has been
promoted as "nature's anti-stress
drug"?
a) alcohol
b) vitamin C
c) vitamin D
d) kava kava
Kava kava

- has been used in the ceremonial and cultural lives of South Pacific
Islanders for thousands of years. Traditionally taken as a strongly
brewed beverage made from the roots of the plant Piper
methysticum, kava is consumed by modern users in capsule form.
This herbal product produces a relaxed and mildly euphoric state,
and it is often used to treat symptoms of anxiety, stress, and
tension.
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5. Experiencing work or personal
stress can worsen which of the
following medical conditions:
a) diabetes b) heart disease
c) asthma d) all of the above

Psychological stress can make many medical

conditions worse! Stress is known to worsen
existing heart disease, and high stress levels can
also cause high blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Recent studies also show that asthma attacks, in
some cases, can be precipitated by stress.
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6. Where is the "stress
hormone" cortisol produced in
the body?
a) adrenal glands b) pancreas
c) brain d) in the nerves
The stress hormone cortisol is made in the
cortex, or outer portion, of the adrenal
glands. The adrenal glands are adjacent to
the kidneys and produce a number of
hormones important for body function.
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7. Which of the following is known to
decrease the amount of stress you
experience?
a) a low cholesterol level
b) a routine, boring job
c) having close friendships
d) elevated estrogen levels

Research studies have shown that having

close connections with friends, family, and
strong social support systems can
decrease the amount of stress you
experience. 13
 8. Stress has NOT been shown
to cause:
a) elevated blood cholesterol levels
b) schizophrenia
c) increased predisposition to heart attacks
d) delayed wound healing
 Stress predisposes individuals to certain diseases such as
heart disease. In fact, stress may worsen many medical
conditions and can lead to poor immune & delayed
tissue repair (wound healing).
 Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder in which patients
have an altered sense of reality and are not able to
reason appropriately. Stress is not known to be a cause
of schizophrenia.
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 9. The term "hypertension"
refers to:
a) elevated blood pressure
b) tightness in the muscles
c) nervousness and irritability
d) both b and c are correct
 Hypertension is the medical term for
high blood pressure. Stress is known
to be a contributing factor in high
blood pressure
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 Is all stress bad?
NO!
Most people define stress as worry, tension and
pressure, but all stress isn't bad. Some stress can
be happy, exciting and challenging. We need
stress in our lives; without it life would be dull.

For example, right before a race, Mark always

feels a little nervous. This stress helps Mark stay
alert and prepared.

Can you name a time when stress helped you

stay alert and prepared?

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 Not Necessarily !

If stress disrupts body

balance and function, then
is all stress bad?

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 A mild degree of stress and tension
can sometimes be beneficial.
 Feeling mildly stressed when carrying out a
project or assignment often compels us to do a
good job and to work energetically.
 Likewise, exercising can produce a
temporary stress on some body functions, but its
health benefits are indisputable.
 It is only when stress is overwhelming, or
poorly managed, that its negative effects
appear.

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What causes stress to be good or
bad?

Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs

about a situation can make stress
good (pleasant) or bad (unpleasant).

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

 Situations that cause us to feel sad, scared,

mad, etc, can be called bad stressors.

 What is a good (happy, excited, etc) stressor

for you?
 What is a bad (sad, scared, etc) stressor for
you?

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 SOME SIGNS OF STRESS
Physical (body)
 Headaches
 Nervousness
 Rashes
 Stomachaches
 Fast heartbeat
 Perspiration
 Increased urination
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 SOME SIGNS OF STRESS
Mental (mind)
 Lack of Concentration
 Forgetfulness
 Drop in school performance
 Unable to study
 Carelessness

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 SOME SIGNS OF STRESS
Emotional (feelings)
 Bored
 Anger outbursts
 Nightmares
 Sad/depressed
 Scared
 Withdrawn
 Fighting

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 Stress Management
 The goal is to identify resources to help you
manage the stresses in your life.
 Note: Not elimination or even reduction of
stress, because stress is a part of normal life.
It's impossible to completely eliminate stress,
and it would not be advisable to do so.
 Instead, we can learn to manage stress so that
we have control over our stress and its effects
on our physical and mental health.

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How Do You Balance the Stress
in Your Life?
 Stay aware of your signs of stress. If you
are having signs of stress, follow the tips
below to avoid stress overload (distress).

 Since stress will be with us the rest of our

lives, it is important to know some ways of
dealing with stress.

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Ways to handle too much stress
 Take deep breaths/Practice
deep breathing exercises
 Watch your thoughts/think
positive
 Find time to relax and cool out
 Pray or read something
inspirational
 Visualize what you want to
happen
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Ways to handle too much stress
 Use pressure points to reduce
headaches
 Eat a nutritious meal or snack
 Take one thing at a time
 Talk problems over with a friend
or counselor
 Don't dwell on your weaknesses

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Ways to handle too much stress
 Feel proud of your
accomplishments
 Exercise daily
 Do muscle tension relaxation
exercises
 Punch a pillow, scream or kick
a can
 Prepare for tests early
 Set realistic goals
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Ways to handle too much stress
 Stop worrying about things that
may never happen
 Learn from your mistakes
 Forgive yourself and others
 Get involved with things you like
to do
 Make time for fun I love dancing!

 Do something for others

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 TEENAGE STRESS
 It’s Manageable!
 Try the Stress Self-Assessment Quiz to
evaluate the stress level in your life.
 Remember, stress is normal and can be a
good thing in helping motivate us to be
our best!

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