Dealing with StressorsDealing with Stressors

Identify the StressorIdentify the Stressor

• Fighting parentsFighting parents• DivorceDivorce• DeathDeath• A new baby in the houseA new baby in the house• Breaking up with or getting a new Breaking up with or getting a new

boyfriend/girlfriendboyfriend/girlfriend• The oil light going on in your carThe oil light going on in your car• Having an argument with someoneHaving an argument with someone• Losing your keysLosing your keys• Passing a police car when you are speedingPassing a police car when you are speeding• VacationVacation• Receiving an awardReceiving an award

Identify your control over the Identify your control over the stressorstressor

• Is the stressor from an outside source?Is the stressor from an outside source?– A deathA death– Parents fightingParents fighting

• Is the stressor a result of a choice we Is the stressor a result of a choice we made?made?– How fast you driveHow fast you drive– How well you take care of your carHow well you take care of your car– Not having enough money to go to the mallNot having enough money to go to the mall

Can you eliminate the Can you eliminate the stressor?stressor?

• Examples:Examples:– Don’t drive fastDon’t drive fast– Take better care of your carTake better care of your car– Don’t spend so much moneyDon’t spend so much money

• If you cannot eliminate the stress, If you cannot eliminate the stress, then build your skills to deal with itthen build your skills to deal with it

Finding the source of your Finding the source of your stressstress

• Biology test today, teacher just told you Biology test today, teacher just told you about it when you walked in the door?about it when you walked in the door?

• Biology test today, teacher told you Biology test today, teacher told you about it 2 days ago. You are not about it 2 days ago. You are not prepared because you did not study. prepared because you did not study. You have been watching TV every night You have been watching TV every night this week.this week.

Ways to Relieve StressWays to Relieve Stress

• Sleep consistentlySleep consistently– Go to bed at the same time and get up Go to bed at the same time and get up

at the same timeat the same time– Use sleep techniques if you can’t fall Use sleep techniques if you can’t fall

asleepasleep– Refrain from caffeineRefrain from caffeine

• Eat rightEat right

• Drink plenty of Drink plenty of waterwater

• Exercise lightly Exercise lightly or rigorouslyor rigorously

• Don’t smoke or drink alcoholic Don’t smoke or drink alcoholic beveragesbeverages– If we use alcohol and drugs to make If we use alcohol and drugs to make

stress go away we will lose our ability to stress go away we will lose our ability to feel good naturally…addictionfeel good naturally…addiction

• BREATHE!!!BREATHE!!!• Scream…Scream…

preferably in a preferably in a pillowpillow

• Don’t over worry Don’t over worry about things you about things you can’t controlcan’t control

• Be decisiveBe decisive

• Put worries into perspectivePut worries into perspective– Will this affect you in 10 years from Will this affect you in 10 years from

now?now?– If so…how will you get past itIf so…how will you get past it

• Determine what’s important in your Determine what’s important in your life and keep focusedlife and keep focused

• Find a hobby to help take your mind Find a hobby to help take your mind off of your problemsoff of your problems

• Surround yourself with people that Surround yourself with people that make you a better personmake you a better person

• Do not live to regretDo not live to regret

• Listen to relaxing Listen to relaxing musicmusic

• Listen to upbeat Listen to upbeat musicmusic

LAUGH!!!LAUGH!!!

• Laughter releases endorphins, Laughter releases endorphins, which…which…

MAKE US HAPPY!MAKE US HAPPY!

• Remember!!!Remember!!!– Only you are in charge of your mood!Only you are in charge of your mood!