Stress: Understanding and Coping

• Vocational skills
• Special Education

Stress: Understanding and Coping

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you should be able to define what is meant by stress

Introduce the learning objective and explain to the students what they will learn in this lesson

What do you already know about stress?

What is Stress?

Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. It is a physical and emotional response to a perceived threat.

Explain to the students what stress is and give them examples of situations that can cause stress

Types of Stress

There are two types of stress: acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is short-term and is caused by specific events or situations. Chronic stress is long-term and is caused by ongoing situations or events.

Explain to the students the difference between acute and chronic stress and give them examples of each

Effects of Stress

Stress can have both physical and emotional effects on the body. Some physical effects include headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue. Some emotional effects include anxiety, irritability, and depression.

Explain to the students the effects that stress can have on the body and mind

Causes of Stress

Stress can be caused by a variety of factors such as work, school, relationships, and financial problems.

Discuss with the students the different causes of stress and ask them to share their personal experiences of stress

Identifying Stress

It is important to be able to identify when you are feeling stressed. Some common signs of stress include irritability, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite.

Engage the students in a group discussion about the signs and symptoms of stress

Coping with Stress

There are many ways to cope with stress such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and talking to someone about your problems.

Introduce the different coping methods and ask the students to share any coping methods that have worked for them in the past

How can stress be coped with?

1. Drinking alcohol, eating junk food, smoking
2. Watching TV, playing video games, sleeping all day
3. Exercise, relaxation, talking to someone

What can cause stress?

1. Family, friends, exercise, entertainment
2. Work, school, relationships, finances
3. Hobbies, sleep, travel, nutrition

What are some physical effects of stress?

1. Difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite
2. Headaches, muscle tension, fatigue
3. Anxiety, irritability, depression

What are the types of stress?

1. Acute and long-term stress
2. Short-term and long-term stress
3. Acute and chronic stress

What is stress?

1. Emotional response to change
2. Physical response to threat
3. Physical & emotional response
4. Body's reaction to change

Group Activity

Divide into groups and discuss a stressful situation that you have experienced. Share with the group how you coped with the situation.

Divide students into groups and give them time to discuss their personal experiences of stress and how they coped with it. Encourage them to share their experiences with the group.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.