Stress
Stress
Stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. It can help you stay focused, energetic, and alert. However, stress can also cause damage to your health, mood, productivity, relationships and the quality of your life when you have too much stress.
Stress is caused by internal and external factors: major life changes, finances, loss, relationships, work, negative self-talk, pessimism, or lack of flexibility. When a person feels overwhelmed with these stressful factors, the nervous system becomes unbalanced. Stress can be dangerous when the warning signs are ignored and starts to feel normal. It is important to pay attention to the warning signs.
Warning Signs and What to Look for
Cognitive:
Memory Issues
Lack of Concentration
Poor Judgement
Thinking Negatively
Racing Thoughts
Constant Worries
Emotional:
Depression
Angry, Agitated, Moody, Irritable
Feeling Overwhelmed
Feeling Lonely
Behavioral:
Substance Usage
Eating Too Much or Too Little
Sleeping Too Much or Too Little
Procrastination
Substance Use
Nervous habits
Physical:
Aches and Pains
Diarrhea or Constipation
Nausea and Dizziness
Chest Pain
Rapid Heart Rate
Frequent Colds
Ways to Help
How to help students cope with their Stress Level
Listen and respond in a supportive way
Do an activity outside
Get Moving: Exercising regularly can increase your student’s mood
Exercise, walk, run, dance, jump around, stretch, or play a sport
Do a physical activity together, like an evening walk or playing ball
Connect to Others: Spending time or speaking with others can help calm a student’s nervous system and improve their mood
Encourage students to go for a walk with a friend while socially distancing
Suggest for them to call someone on the phone, like friends or family
They can chat online with a friend or a loved one or Zoom with a friend
Encourage them to join a group, school club, or activity
Offer to help them be a pen pal or volunteer their services somewhere
Use Their Senses: Sight, Sound, Taste, Smell, Touch
Encourage them to find a calming/happy image or go outside
Try playing music or encourage them to listen favorite songs or a peaceful sound
Maybe make one of their favorite foods or reward them with a treat for the hard work or eat something together.
Try to think if there a smell that makes them feel good, brings a happy memory?
Pet an animal, find a plushy blanket, or something soft and soothing
Learn to Relax: Suggest for your student to try yoga, mindfulness, breathing exercises, or do a calming activity like drawing, art, cooking, etc.
Eat Healthy: Foods can improve or worsen people’s moods
Try to avoid sugary snacks, junk food refined carbohydrates
Eat fruit, vegetables, protein and omega-3s
Get Rest: Get 8 hours of sleep, have consistent wake up/bed times, avoid screens before bed
Resources
Call your mental health professional
Healthcare provider, primary physician for referral
School staff, principals, counselor, psychologists, or teachers
A close friend or loved one
The closet trusting adult, family member, spiritual leader
NAMI Warm line Call or Text (1-866-960-6264) 10am-5pm
NAMI of Sonoma County: (707-527-6655)
Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741
Teen Line: Call (1-310-855-4673) 6pm-10pm or Text “Teen” to 839863 6pm-9pm