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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.
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
 b) 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".
2. True or false: "stressed-out" people
are more likely to catch a cold than
persons experiencing minimal
stress.
a) true
b) false
a) 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.
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.
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
 d) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
 Anxiety
 Pressure
 Misery
 Strain
 Desperation
 Tension
 Anger
 Panic
 Depression
 The more you try to
hold your emotions in, the greater the
pressure build-up will be.
The three types of stress include:
• Environmental
• Physical
• Psychological
What is Environmental Stress?
Pressure on the environment caused by
human activities or natural events.
Examples:
Pollution Droughts Smog
Hot temperature
What is Physical Stress?
A biological response to factors which can
negatively impact your overall health.
Examples:
Malnutrition
Inactivity
What is Psychological Stress?
A biological response to factors which can negatively
impact your overall mental and emotional health.
Examples:
Relationships Deployment Loss
Good stress (Eustress) MOTIVATES
YOU
Bad stress HINDERS PROGRESS
and could cause HEALTH ISSUES
Your mission is to work as a team to create a
poster or visual representation of what stress
‘looks like’ to you.
 Portfolio Output No. 9: My Stress Signals

Write about your stress signals. Answer the following questions:

1. How do you know that you are stressed?
2. What stress signals do you have that your partner does not have?
3. How much stress do you think you are currently under?
4. How are your stress signals different for different types of
stressors?
5. What are some ways that you usually remove or reduce the stress
that cause you physical, emotional or behavioral difficulties?
Stress: It Won’t Control Me!
Understand the Causes of Stress
Analyze your Stress Factors and
Write Them Down
Deal with the Stressors
Learn to Work under Pressure or
Unusual Conditions
 Stop for a moment (especially when you feel your
muscles tightening up) and take a few deep breaths.
Do a relaxing exercise. Swing your hands at your sides
and stretch.
Take a “power nap.” Lie down and totally relax for a few
minutes.
Find time to do the things you enjoy.
Leave your study area for a while to take a brisk walk.
Find a quiet place to read a magazine or novel during
break or at lunch.
If possible, look at some peaceful images such as
forests, beaches, etc. These images can initiate a
relaxation response.
 Look up.
 Keep something humorous on hand, such as a book of
jokes.
Source: The Nemours Foundation, available from kidshealth.org
 BELLY BREATHING
Deep breathing is a stress reduction strategy that
can be used in the present moment as well as an
excellent skill to master to more effectively cope
with future stressors.
1. Stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Relax your arms and hands.
3. Relax your body.
4. Close your eyes.
5. Focus on lower abdomen (belly) and imagine a small balloon
in that space.
6. Breath in slowly and deeply through nostrils, imagining the
balloon inflating (getting bigger/larger/growing) slowly, hold a
few seconds
7. Slowly exhale through the mouth, imagining the balloon
gently deflating (getting smaller, shrinking); blow out of the
mouth as if blowing out a candle
8. Tip: Place a hand over the lower abdomen to feel it go
up and down, and make sure you’re not breathing with the
chest
9. Repeat at least 10 times.
 Activity: STRESS SURVIVAL KIT

1. Choose 3 objects or symbols that make you feel relaxed to include in your
kit.
2. You can make the symbols.
3. You can use words or pictures.
4. You can bring an object from home.
5. Think about how the symbol helps you when you are dealing with stress
and stressful situations.
6. Write a paragraph for each symbol or object in your kit and how it helps
you cope with stress in your everyday life.
 Portfolio Output No. 10 Project To-Do
With your group mates, plan your Grade 11 year-end fun day
following the Project-To-Do Template. Write this plan down.
Then write a reflection on how your experience of planning
changed with the use of the planning tool.
 What did you notice about your group’s work?
 Was there a lot of stress in planning?
 How did your group reduce their stress level?
 How can you apply this planning method to other real-life
projects?