Stress Management

In This Session

What stress isHow to know if you are stressedHow stress can affect youHow to deal with it

Watch this short clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnpQrMqDoqE&list=TLzUYHDz3V6RXEAJZXWQqfrOlHM5I4g8xC

What is Stress? - Activity

Define Stress In pairs

Explain what stress is Give examples of what stresses you

out

What is Stress?Definitions Different definitions are used by different people We all think that we know what stress is

because we have all experienced it. A definition should be easy…but it’s not

Problems of Definition Stress is made up of many things Different people experience different things and

think different definitions are right

Am I Stressed?

The Effects of StressOn Health Unhealthy Behaviour Heart disease Damage to the immune system Mental health problemsOn Performance Unsociable Memory Decision-making Creativity

4 Types of Stress Management

PreventableStress that you can plan and prepare for ControllableStress that you can sort out PersonalStress that’s all in the mind UncontrollableStress that you have no control over

Preventable StressE.g. Taking an exam

To deal with stress in this way we must have some power in the situation. These are the best ways of managing stress.

We can manage and overcome stressful situations and change them to our advantage.

Task analysis – look at what’s important Planning – prepare for what will be needed Time-management – allocate enough time for

everything Delegation – make someone else do it! OK for some

things!

Controllable Stress

e.g. an argument, car breaking down

Getting out of an unexpectedly stressful situation.

How to deal with the situation after it happens. Take time out to calm down, see things from a

different angle Plan practical steps for alternative strategy Keep things in perspective

Personal StressE.g. worrying about having to do a presentation in

front of an audience

If you cant change it,change the way you look at it.

Write things down Talk it through with others Question yourself Concentrate on the positives Give it time

Uncontrollable Stress

E.g. Death of a loved one, house gets flooded Some things we cant plan for We just have to take care of our bodies

and minds until the problem passes Treating yourself well A problem shared…

Activity- 5 minutes

Complete the crossword

Beware of Hidden Stress!

Build up of energy Must be released Healthy ways Unhealthy ways

Extra Tips "The Three D's": Deal With It; Delegate It; Dump It Worksheet for Relaxation Techniques Diet and Exercise Reduce Caffeine Brain Exercise Have a Laugh! Preparing for Stress (music to sleep) Meditation (e.g. hot blanket)

Summary Stress is different for different people Stress can effect your health and

performance There are different kinds of stress and

different ways of dealing with them Take Stress Seriously!

Useful Links to research www.mindtools.com www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p51-str.html www.helpguide.org www.brianmac.co.uk/relax