Lesson 4

COPING STRESS
IN ADOLESCENCE

WEST CENTRAL COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE

INC.
 • Discuss the understanding of
mental health and
psychological well-being to
identify ways to cope with
stress during adolescence.
Today’s • Identify the cause and effects
of stress in one’s life.
OBJECTIVES • Demonstrate personal ways
to cope with stress and
maintain mental health.
 • Mental health includes our
emotional, psychological,
and social well-being.
• It affects how we think,
What is feel, and act.
MENTAL HEALTH? • It also helps determine how
we handle stress, relate to
others, and make choices.
 • Mental health is
important at every
What is stage of life, from
MENTAL HEALTH? childhood and
adolescence through
adulthood.
 • Stress is a natural
human response to
Stress and Its situations because of
different factors,
SOURCE considered as the causes
of stress.
 • Internal Stress causes of
stress come from within
you.
• They are results of the
Internal & way you perceive and
evaluate yourself based
External
STRESS on what is expected of
you and on what is real.
 Examples of Internal Stress
• Unfulfilled expectations
Internal & • Failures
• Insecurities
External
STRESS • Guilt
 • External Stress causes of
stress are situations that
we face every day for
Internal & they happen in our
surroundings and most
External
STRESS of the time, they are out
of our control.
 Examples of External Stress
Internal & • School works
• Inflation rate
External
STRESS • Toxic environment
 Directions:
Determine what causes YOU to
“lose your cool” by completing this
activity. When you begin to identify
Activity your stressors, you can become
skilled at preventing negative
WHAT CAUSES YOU TO consequences. Place an X next to
“LOSE YOUR COOL?” each factor that causes you stress.
There are blank spaces provided so
you can add your own.
 ACTIVITY: WHAT CAUSES YOU TO “LOSE
YOUR COOL?”
_______ Being late ______ Going to the dentist
_______ Parents fighting _______ Video games
_______ Too much homework _______ Arguments with friends
_______ Getting detention _______ Using a computer
_______ Speaking in public _______ Restrictions at home
_______ Your job _______ Closed-in spaces
_______ Babysitting _______ Chores
_______ Taking tests _______ Commercials
 ACTIVITY: WHAT CAUSES YOU TO “LOSE
YOUR COOL?”

_______ Lack of sleep _______ Physical Education class

_______Interruptions while busy _______ Fight with
_______ No date for a dance boyfriend/girlfriend
_______ Getting an injection _______ Math class
_______ Pimples _______ Losing a game
_______ Arguments with parents _______ Other class
_______ Careless drivers
 ACTIVITY: WHAT CAUSES YOU TO “LOSE
YOUR COOL?”

_______ Boredom _______ Disrespectful children

_______ Slow drivers _______ No transportation
_______ Rude people _______ Betrayal
_______ Baby crying _______ Losing something valuable
_______ No money
_______ Playing sports
Pick the 3 most things, situations or people that easily trigger your
stress and identify the reason why.
 Activity Directions:
Take a look at the warning signs of
stress listed below. Write down all
STRESS SIGNALS of the warning signs that apply to
you.
 PHYSICAL ASPECT
___ headache ___ weakness ___ constant fatigue
___ stomach ache ___ nausea ___ cold hands / feet
___ dizziness ___ indigestion ___ excessive sweating
___ back pain ___ excessive sleeping ___ chest pains
___ neck stiffness ___ overeating ___ high blood pressure
___ ulcer sores on mouth ___ loss of appetite ___ difficult of breathing
___ jaw pains ___ inability to sleep
___ weight loss ___ skin problems
___ weight gain
 EMOTIONAL ASPECT

___ mood changes ___ thoughts of suicide

___ lack of concentration ___ depression
___ nightmares ___ confusion
___ panic attacks ___ feeling helpless
___ anxiety ___ restlessness
___ anger ___ racing thoughts
___ irritability ___ aggressiveness
___ crying
 BEHAVIORAL ASPECT

___ smoking ___ compulsive dieting

___ nail biting ___ hair chewing
___ tapping ___ nervous laughter
___ pulling hair ___ pacing
___ grinding hair ___ lateness
___ use of alcohol ___ not caring about physical
___ use of medication ___ compulsive overeating
 GUIDE QUESTIONS:

• How do you know that you are stressed?

• What are some ways that you usually remove or
reduce the stress that cause you physical,
emotional or behavioral difficulties?
 • THERE ARE MANY
EFFECTIVE WAYS TO
HANDLE STRESS. OF
Keep Stress COURSE, YOU CAN’T
AVOID STRESS—IN
UNDER STRESS FACT, YOU WOULDN’T
WANT TO AVOID ALL
STRESS, BECAUSE
YOU’D NEVER GROW.
 TALK IT OUT

Confide yourself to some level headed

persons you can trust. (Surround yourself
with friends who can offer you sincere
understanding and empathy).
 ESCAPE FOR A WHILE

Immerse yourself in reading a favorite book,

listening to relaxing music, doing regular
physical exercise, meditation, yoga, etc.
 MANAGE YOUR TIME
Analyze how much time you are spending
for studying, for being online, for watching
movies and k-drama and see where you are
spending more time. Setting your priorities
is important when managing time.
DOING GOOD DEEDS FOR OTHERS

Analyze how much time you are spending

for studying, for being online, for watching
movies and k-drama and see where you are
spending more time. Setting your priorities
is important when managing time.
CONDUCT CREATIVE IMAGERY OF
THE PROBLEM
Look at the stressor as a relational situation
where you can assess and change the way you
look at the stressful situation. (If you worry
about passing a test or exam, rather than fret or
worry about it you should study well.
 KEEP IN MIND, YOUTH.
As an individual, stress can be part of our lives.
Everyone– adults, teens, or even children can
experience stress. Stress happens physically,
emotionally and mentally. A small amount of
stress can be good, motivating you to perform
well. Stress can be positive or negative.
 KEEP IN MIND, YOUTH.

“Don’t let stress beat you. Protect

yourself, love yourself, because at the
end of the day, you yourself is your
own best ally.”
— John Calvin Susi