COPING WITH

STRESS IN
MIDDLE AND
LATE
ADOLESCENCE
STRESS
 Defined as a reaction of the mind
and body to a stimulus (something
that causes) that disturbs the well
being state, state of calm, or
equilibrium of a person.
 there is a common belief that stress
is unhealthy.
Stress as stimulus
Stress is caused by situations that may
be life threatening and life changing,
such s separation, moving into a new
home, or having a new job. These
situations or events are often called
stressors.
Stress as response
Is the way the body reacts to a
challenging situations. This involves the
interactions between the hormones,
glands and nervous system where the
adrenal glands drive production of
cortisol or better known as “stress
hormone”.
Stress as response
Another response of the body similar to the
production of cortisol is the release of a
substance called norepinephrine (a
monoamine C8H11NO3) , which triggers the
body’s reactions such as an increase heart
rate , higher blood pressure, and
respiration, to prepare the body for action.
Stress as relational
When a person experiencing stress takes a
step back to look at the situation that is
causing the stress, and assesses it.
Assessment here means that when a person
allows reasoning to prevail and weigh the
relevance of the situation. If the relevance
is positive, the person will look at the
situation in more positive way.
Stress as relational
If the relevance is negative , this will
produce negative emotions that may
lead to stress.
An example to this is flight delay.
HEALTHY STRESS
There are certain types of stress that
can benefit a person . Stress that is short
and sporadic can propel a person to a
necessary actions. These types of person
can motivate , energize and spur an
individual into fruitful action.
HEALTHY STRESS
Example speaking infront of audience is
healthy type of stress as it pushes the
speaker to prepare and to be effective
speaker.
Competing a sports can propel individual
to perform better.
SCHOOL DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS
Quizzes and tests, homeworks and projects, oral
recitation, quarterly and final exams and grades
are the kind of stressors (source of stress)
adolescents have in when it comes to studying.
Graduating senior high school students feel the
stress more than any other type level. The
question that lingers on their minds is whether
one will graduate on time or not.
SELECTING A SCHOOL, COLLEGE COURSE OR CAREER
Related to the first stressor mentioned in the situation of
what will happen after graduation. A high school student
who just graduated faces more demanding challenges,
and the first of these are the entrance exams to whatever
school or university. Deciding on the course to take up in
college is another stressor.
Oftentimes fresh graduates have gone through several
aptitudes tests conducted in high school to help them
define what their interest are and what probable college
course fits their interests.
SEPARATION ANXIETY
Highschool graduation, to some, means a
temporary ending separation from some of their
friends. There is a possible scenario that
bestfriends might move to another place to study
or move to another school. Technology might
ease the pain of separation by simply going
online, texting, calling to get instant connection
with someone who is sorely missed.
COLLEGE LIFE
The prospect of being by themselves in a new
school in college and meeting and adjusting to
new people is another cause of stress for
graduating senior high school students. The
unfamiliarity of a new environment can bring
stress to adolescents as they set their foot in
college.
ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS OR THE LACK OF IT
Adolescents have the tendency to feel awkward
when they are not in a special relationship with
someone. Somehow, having an intimate
relationship is a status symbol that says one is
good looking, interesting or attractive.
FAMILY DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS
To some adolescents . Family ties can be
stressor. Adolescent is still learning and yearning
for independence and autonomy, but parents
may not be ready to relinquish control over their
“baby”. This is why conflicts sets in.
There is also rebellion in the mind of adolescents
to go against the norm and set their own norms
that may not be agreeable to the parents.
FAMILY DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS
There are still parents that they think they know
better than their children.
Example is what course to take up in college.
Encouragement to take up another course that
may be similar to both parents.
HEALTH CONCERNS
To some adolescents, health may be a problem.
Health problems may run such as unwanted
pregnancy, HIV and other transmitted disease,
unhealthy lifestyle such as poor eating and
sleeping habits that often may lead o lifetime
diseases.
DEMANDS OF SOCIAL LIFE
There is a common thinking among adolescents
that it is embarrassing to be alone . That is why
the need to belong I significantly important for
adolescents.
Forming groups or joining one makes an
adolescent feel safe and secure because to
belong with a social group is a n affirmation that
they are acceptable to others.
DEMANDS OF SOCIAL LIFE
In order to become part of the group, the individual has
to have common interests with the other members of the
group like being in the honor’s list or having
extracurricular interest such as acting, singing, dancing
or sports. In some cases , stressful group pressure sets in
when an individual is faced with the challenge to belong
and be part of the group going through some form of
ritual , like experimenting some drugs or alcohol or even
with sex. An adolescent with strong self concept and self
esteem should be able to discern what is good for them
when selecting their groups.
BULLYING
Being bullied in school can be very stressful and may
cause emotional and psychological trauma to the
individual experiencing it. Many schools are aware of the
presence of bullying and have policies dealing with it. If
you are being bullied, either physically and verbally,
report this to the teacher, principal and parents. Some
individuals learn to deal with bullying by fighting back
with the right attitude and the right words. Bullies are
around because it is often believed that they have
problems either at home or with themselves and also
need empathy and understanding.
COPING
WITH
STRESS
1.SEEK GROUP OR SOCIAL SUPPORT
Talk to people you know and trust,
surround yourself with friends who can
offer you sincere understanding and
empathy. Talk to an adults and share your
feelings.
2. Get into relaxation activities
like breathing exercise,
meditation, yoga, self-
hypnosis, reading a good book
or listening to relaxing music.
3. Create situation where you can feel
relaxed like a quiet environment or
comfortable position and project a passive
attitude toward the stressor.
4. Learn to manage your time,
analyze how much time you are
spending for studying, for being
online, for texting or calling, for
watching TV. Setting your
priorities is important when
managing time. As a student,
your priority is your studies.
5. Seek spiritual growth through
prayer and meditation. Be
mindful of the presence of the
Divine in your life and interpret
the events and people in it as
part of a bigger plan not even you
comprehend this time.
6. Have a worthwhile hobby
like cross stitching, singing,
dancing, drawing or collecting
items.
7. Watch movie
with friends.
8. Believe in your self that you
are strong and courageous , that
you are capable of overcoming
the challenges that you are
facing and that any stressful
situation will bring out the best
in you and will make you
stronger.
“There is more to life than increasing its speed”
=Mahatma Gandhi
“Think of all
the beauty still
left around you
and be happy “
-Anne Frank
“The first and safest thing is to keep balance in
your life. Acknowledge the great powers around
us and in us.
6rdz