A. COPING WITH STRESS IN MIDDLE AND LATE ADOLESCENCE

• Stress

  A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances
• Stress

  A physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension or disease
• Stress

  What you feel when you may have lost the capacity to manage your life and its circumstances
• Stressor

  A chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus, or an event that causes stress to an organism
• Types of Stressors

  • External Stressors
  • Internal Stressors
• External Stressors

  • school demands and frustrations
  • problems with peers in school
  • unsafe living environment
  • separation of parents
  • death of loved one
  • chronic illness or severe problems in the family
  • moving or changing schools
  • family financial problems
  • taking on too many activities or having very high expectations
• Internal Stressors

  • negative thoughts and feeling about themselves
  • changes in their bodies
• Internal Mechanism when Highly Stressed Out

  • increased heart and beating rates
  • increased blood circulations to both arms and legs
  • cold hands and feet
  • upset stomach
  • sense of dread about particular situation
• Techniques to Cope with Stress

  • Exercise and eat health foods
  • Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco
  • Learn relaxation exercise
  • Learn how to properly assert themselves
  • Practice responding properly to stressful situations
  • Learn to practical coping skills
  • Decrease negative self talk
  • Learn to feel good about achievements
  • Avoid perfectionism
  • Take a break from stressful situations from time to time
  • Establish strong ties with family and friends