Stress Management For Adolescents
Stress Management For Adolescents
Course Study Description
CCEUS10 - Stress Management For Adolescents [10 contact hours] - [$50.00 - NO OTHER COURSE FEES APPLY] Individual and group strategies for managing stress in adolescents in a school setting are the focus of this course. Stress in adolescents is thoroughly discussed through a review of the current literature. Recognizing the signs of stress in adolescents is an important part of helping to alleviate it. Signs of stress in adolescents are clearly described. A wealth of strategies for alleviating stress in young people is outlined. The course reviews small group, large group, and individual counseling approaches that may be employed with students in this area.
Course Directions
Click on the Course Directions page to read course procedures.
Course Outcomes
After completing the reading and work in this course the counselor/student will:
know the difference a state of stress and relaxed well-being.
understand the origins and nature of stress and its effects on health and well-being.
empower students to evaluate current stressors, stress levels, and methods of coping.
become aware of the range of life skills including: physical activities, relaxation, assertiveness, supportive relationships, life planning, and positive "self talk."
empower students to care for themselves and to seek help and support when needed.
enable students to:
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appreciate the wear and tear that stress inflicts upon living things. |
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compare the feelings of deep relaxation with those of stress. |
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explain the rationale for learning life skills. |
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describe the physical manifestations of the stress reaction in humans. |
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explain the relationship between stress levels, health, and performance. |
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differentiate between, and provide examples of three different kinds of stress situations. |
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identify the cultural norms surrounding the management of stress. |
Identify some of the major contributing factors in our society that exacerbates stress among adolescents in the school.
Discuss some of the factors in adolescent health that contributes to stress among adolescents.
Discuss what statistics you can offer that illustrate the intensity of the stress in the adolescent population.
List and describe some of the major teen stressors.
Learn what are the expectations connected with school that increase the stress placed on adolescents.
Describe some typical adolescent reactions to stress.
Describe the difference in stress management between males and females in the school.
Learn what are some of the major triggers that usually intensify stress in young people.
Learn how life skills can ameliorate the major stressors in the lives of adolescents.
Text [Required Reading To Be Prepared For The Exam]
A Leader's Guide To Fighting Invisible Tigers: A Stress Management Guide For Teens by Earl Hipp and Connie C. Schmitz ISBN# 0915793814 $15.96 and Talks With Teens About Self And Stress: 50 Guided Discussions For School And Counseling Groups by Jean Sunde Peterson and Pamela Espeland ISBN# 0915793555 $17.56 on The Bookstore Page.
Study Guide Questions
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What is the difference between the state of stress and relaxed well being. |
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Describe the orign and nature of stress and it consequences for adolescents. |
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What measures can you take to empower students to do something about the stress in the United States. |
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What measure can you empower students to so something about the stress in their lives. |
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Describe the range of life skills that may be used to combat stressors in your life. |
Vocabulary
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alcohol abuse |
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alpha brain waves |
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anger |
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anxiety |
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assertiveness |
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binge drinking |
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communication styles |
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competition |
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coping |
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decision-making |
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disapproval |
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drug abuse |
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evaluation |
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empowerment |
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failure |
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family relationships |
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feelings |
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gender differences |
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home and stress |
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individualism |
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leisure time |
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life planning |
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mediation |
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mortality rates |
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perfectionism |
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problem solving |
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referral |
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relaxation |
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retardation |
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risk behavior |
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self-concept |
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stress |
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stressor |
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suicide |
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support groups |
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trust |
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values |
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passivity |
Supplementary Readings [Required Reading To Be Prepared For The Exam]
Helping Teens Deal With Stress
Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress everyday and can benefit from learning stress management skills.
Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope.
Some sources of stress for teens might include:
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school demands and frustrations |
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negative thoughts and feelings about themselves |
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changes in their bodies |
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problems with friends |
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unsafe living environment/neighborhood |
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separation or divorce of parents |
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chronic illness or severe problems in the family |
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death of a loved one |
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moving or changing schools |
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taking on too many activities or having too high expectations |
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family financial problems |
Some teens become overloaded with stress. When it happens, inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use.
When we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This "fight, flight, or freeze" response includes faster heart and breathing rate, increased blood to muscles of arms and legs, cold or clammy hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread.
The same mechanism that turns on the stress response can turn it off. As soon as we decide that a situation is no longer dangerous, changes can occur in our minds and bodies to help us relax and calm down. This "relaxation response" includes decreased heart and breathing rate and a sense of well being.
Teens who develop a "relaxation response" and other stress management skills feel less helpless and have more choices when responding to stress.
Parents can help their teen in these ways:
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Monitor if stress is affecting their teen's health, behavior, thoughts, or feelings |
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Listen carefully to teens and watch for overloading |
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Learn and model stress management skills |
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Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities |
Teens can decrease stress with the following behaviors and techniques:
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Exercise and eat regularly |
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Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation. |
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Don't use illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco |
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Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques) |
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Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite, firm, and not overly aggressive or passive ways ("I feel angry when you yell at me" "Please stop yelling"). |
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Rehearse and practice situations which cause stress. One example is taking a speech class, if talking in front of a class makes you anxious. |
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Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks |
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Decrease negative self talk. Challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts. "My life will never get better" can be transformed into "I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help." |
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Learn to feel good about doing a competent job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others |
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Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress |
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Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way |
By using these and other techniques, teenagers can begin to manage stress.
Examination
The examination for this course is attached to this page. PRINT OUT THE EXAM. All examinations consist of both True-False and/or Multiple-Choice items with five answers. You must score 80% on the exam to gain the contact hours. When you have printed the exam, read each question carefully, choose the BEST answer and circle the letter of the answer you choose. Return the exam by mail to Dr. Budd A. Moore, Exam Scoring At CounselingCEUsOnline along with the signed Honor Pledge and a check or money order for $36.00 payable to Dr. Budd A. Moore. The exam and the honor pledge can also be faxed to our office at 1(717)597-2302; however, it will not be scored until the scoring fee is paid in full. When the fee and all of the materials are received, the exam will be scored within 48 hours. Results will be e-mailed to you as soon as they are available. A letter of congratulations, a certificate from CounselingCEUsOnline, and an official transcript will be mailed to you. Examinations will not be returned to the student. Records of your scores will be maintained by CounselingCEUsOnline and will be available for you for a $5.00 transcript fee.
Mail: Exams, CounselingCEUsOnline, 8864 Lorford Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17201-9335 OR
FAX: 1(717)597-2302
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