Minds On
I’m feeling stressed!
Explore the images.
The people in these images are feeling sad, alone, and worried.
In the following matching game, identify if the following situations would be stressful or not stressful for someone.
Press ‘Hint’ for a definition of stressful and not stressful before you begin the game."
Stressful: when you feel worried or uncomfortable about something.
Not stressful: not feeling worried or uncomfortable about something.
Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.
Action
Challenging situations
Sometimes we may experience stress when we are scared or are in challenging situations. There are many ways our body reacts when we are stressed.
Signs of stress
They include:
- feeling nervous
- breathing quickly
- sweating
- upset stomach
- trembling
- feeling weak
- having trouble thinking
It’s important to remember that while feeling stressed, scared, or uncomfortable can make you feel like you’re in danger, the feeling can’t hurt you. It’s just your body trying to protect you!
Create a strategy
When people are worried or feeling uncomfortable, there are strategies that they can use to help make themselves feel better.
Some of these strategies may include:
- playing with a pet
- talking with a friend, sibling, trusted adult
- listen to music, read a book or play a game
Press ‘Examples’ to access some examples of helpful strategies.
A strategy for feeling nervous might be to slow down your breathing and count to ten.
A strategy for having trouble thinking might be to move to a quiet location.
Identify other strategies that might be helpful in challenging or uncomfortable situations.
Complete the Your Strategies Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
| Body Reaction to Something Stressful | Strategy for Dealing with Stress |
|---|---|
|
|
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Your Strategies Chart.
Sometimes you can help yourself. Sometimes you might need to get help from someone you trust. You might also want to help a friend who is worried or upset. What can you do to get help if you or your friend needs it?
If possible, brainstorm ideas with a partner.
Consolidation
Scenario
Consider the following scenarios and answer the questions that follow:
Press the following tabs to access the scenarios.
You are waiting in line at a carnival to go on a ride that goes really fast and really high. How do you feel?
You painted a beautiful picture in art class and your teacher holds it up to show everyone. How do you feel?
Share your answers with a partner or small group, if possible. You may record your answers using a method of your choice.
Create your own scenario
Create a scenario of your choice and identify the feeling (for example, happiness, sadness, loneliness) that is shown in that situation and a way you can respond to the situation and express your feelings (for example, going for a walk). Record your scenario using any method of your choice.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.