GROUP 4
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (Discussion
9)
COPING WITH STRESS IN MIDDLE AND
LATE ADOLESCENCE
Defining Stress
Stress – a reaction of the mind and body to
stimulus that disturbs the well-being, state of
calm, or equilibrium of a person.
- small and sporadic amounts of stress can
be helpful and beneficial to individuals
- excessive amounts of stress sustained over
a lengthy period of time can be destructive to
both physical and mental health.
Stress as Stimulus, Response, and
Relational
** As a stimulus, (stressors) stress is
caused by situations that may be life
threatening or life changing.
- as separation
- moving into a new home
- having a new job
** Stress as a response, way the body
reacts to challenging situations.
- production of cortisol, (stress hormone)
enables a person's body to produce the
energy it needs to gear it toward action.
- release of norepinephrine, triggers the
body's reaction to prepare the body for
action.
a. increased heart rate
b. higher blood pressure
c. respiration
Trivia: The adolescent's physical response to
stress is faster than that of an adult. The part
of the adolescent's brain, the prefrontal
cortex, that assesses danger and directs
action during stress is not yet fully
developed.
Prolonged or Chronic stress often causes
fatigue, aging, and illness caused by low
immune system.
** Stress as relational, taking a step back to
look at the situation that is causing the stress,
and assesses it and weigh its relevance or
irrelevance of the situation.
- positive, the person will look at the situation
in a more positive light.
- negative, this will produce negative
emotions that may lead to stress.
(Read example)
HEALTHY STRESS
- types of stress that can benefit a person.
- Short and sporadic stress can propel a
person to a necessary action, can
motivate, energize, and spur an
individual into fruitful action.
- For example,
a. Speaking in front of an
audience. Healthy type of
stress as it pushes the
speaker to prepare and be an
effective speaker.
b. Stage performing. This stress
may bring out best
performances.
c. Competing in sports. Healthy
stress can propel the
competing individual to
perform better.
Stressors of middle and late adolescents:
1. Internal Source - are those coming from
within you.
2. External Source - are those that come
outside of you like situations, people,
and experiences.
STRESSORS:
1. School Demands and Expectation
2. Selecting a School, College Course, or
Career
3. Separation Anxiety
4. College Life
5. Romantic Relationships or the Lack of
It
6. Family Demands and Expectations
7. Health Concerns
8. Demands of Social Life
9. Bullying
COPING WITH STRESS
Coping - help in avoiding the damages that
may be brought about by severe or chronic
stress to your health and well-being.
- to change the situation to lessen the stress,
or emotion-focused, when the objective is to
lessen the emotional impact caused by the
stressful situation.
STRESS REDUCTION METHODS
1. Conduct creative imagery of the
problem
2. Seek group or social support
3. Get into relaxation activities
4. Create a situation where you can feel
more relaxed
5. Learn to manage your time
6. Eat properly
Additional coping mechanism
1. Seek spiritual growth
2. Have a worthwhile hobby
3. Watch a movie with friends
4. Have a nice, quiet walk
5. assess it and see if it is doable and
realistic or not.
6. Believe in yourself
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