STRESS

STRESS
MANAGEMENT
 STRESS
• Stress is the pressure of having
too much to handle.
• Everyone faces stress.
• Stress is sometimes fear.
• Stress is not all bad.
 God Warns Us About
Stress
• Luke 21:34
“Be careful, or your hearts will be
weighted down with dissipation,
drunkenness, and the anxieties of life,
and that day will close on you
unexpectedly like a trap.”
 WHAT’S AHEAD
• Skill 1: Learning About Stress
• Skill 2: Getting to Know Your Stressors
• Skill 3: Taking Action
• Skill 4: Preventing and Relieving Stress
• Skill 5: Setting SMART Goals
Individuals at Higher
Risk
• Younger adults • The unemployed
• Women in general • Isolated
• Working mothers individuals
• Less educated • Those without
individuals health insurance
• Divorced or • People who live in
widowed individuals cities
 Knowing When You’re
Under Stress
• Physical signs
• Emotional signs
• Mental signs
• Behavioral signs
 RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS
OF STRESS
• Headaches • Diarrhea
• Upset stomach • Lack of energy
• Feeling of being • Loss of hope
“uptight”
• Poor concentration
• Anxiety
• Irritability • Overeating or skipping
meals
 Signs of Stress
• Frequent colds • Indigestion
• Clumsiness
• Knotted stomach
• Anger
• Constant errors of
• Feeling of
powerlessness judgement
• Forgetfulness • Inability to make
decisions
 FINDING OUT WHAT
MAKES YOU STRESSED

• Time pressures
• Major life changes
• Money problems
• Death of a loved one
• Loneliness
• Being in a crowded place
 Signs of Stress
• Sadness or lack of interest
• Inability to sleep or oversleeping
• New or increased use of tobacco
products, alcohol, or other drugs
• Increased chance of cancers
• Panic attacks
• Miscarriage
• Relationship Problems
• Heart Disease
 WHAT’S CAUSING
STRESS?
70% Family finance
•
58% Lack of sleep
•
41% Demands on the job
•

Source: www.usatodaycareers.com
 Choosing Your Response to
a Stressor
• Accept
• Avoid
• Alter
• Adapt to
 MANAGING
YOUR TIME
• Simplify your • Do just one thing at
life. a time.

• Combine similar • Ask for help when

you need it.
tasks.
• Break big tasks
into small tasks.
 MAINTAINING A
HEALTHY DIET
• Eat a variety of
whole grains,
vegetables, and
fruits.
• Limit intake of
caffeine, nicotine,
salt, and sugar.
“Too often educators skip breakfast or lunch to
cut calories, drink coffee to pick them up, and
excuse themselves from regular exercise
program because of fatigue. Often the
exhaustion at the end of the day is often due
to poor nutritional habits, over reliance on
stimulants, and too little vigorous exercise.”
 Why Exercise?
• Burns up stress-
related energy
• Strengthens the
immune system
• Relaxes the body
• Reduces muscle
tension
Practicing Deep
Breathing
1. Inhale through your nose while
expanding the abdomen.
2. Exhale slowly through your mouth.
3. Repeat 3-5 times.
 Tips For
Teachers
• Form social support • Always have backups.
groups at work or in
• Live within your
the community.
budget.
• Select a “Teacher’s
Helper” each day. • Delegate.
• Surround yourself • Go to bed on time and
with positive people. get up on time.
• Write down your list • Still having problems,
of things to do. seek help.
• Keep a daily planner.
 Win-Win Solution
• Daily read your Bible.
• Communicate with the Lord daily.
• Listen to the Lord’s voice and obey.
• Take care of your body – His temple.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Turn every part of your life, possessions, thoughts
and actions over to Him.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for

you.” 1 Peter 5:7
 Understanding the
SMART Plan
Specific

Measurable
Achievable
Rewarding
Trackable
 Start, Stop, Keep
• What’s one thing you’ll start doing?

• What’s one thing you’ll stop doing?

• What’s one thing you’ll keep doing?

 Quote
“Give me the strength to change what
I can, to leave alone what I cannot
change, and the wisdom to know the
difference.”
 Resources
• American Institute of Stress • Mental Health Net
1-914-963-1200
www.stress.org 1-614-764-0143
• American Psychological Association www.cmhc.com
1-202-336-5500
www.apa.org • National Mental Health
• Dr. Koop’s Community Association
(Dr. C. Everett Koop’s Site) 1-800-969-6642
www.drkoop.com
Internet Mental Health
www.nmha.org
•
1-604-876-2254 • National Mental Health
www.mentalhealth.com Consumers’ Self-Help
Clearinghouse
1-800-553-4539
www.mhselfhelp.org