UNIT 5: AdAPT STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH STRESS Whole Group discussion Challenge students to list ways of dealing with stress. Categorize these into " healthy " and " unhealthy " ways of dealing with stress. then discuss: How can choosing unhealthy coping strategies actually make your stress worse? STRATEGIES FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT: START WITH SELF-CARE direct Instruction define self-care and briefly discuss the Self-Care Strategies box. students should have brought up some or all of these in step 3. discuss the link between self-care and preventing stress. discuss the Self-Care Strategies handout. students should have brought up some or all of these in step 3. discuss the link between self-care and preventing stress. LESSON EXTENSIONS College Student Visit - Invite a few alumni from your school or other college students to visit your class and speak about stress management and campus life. Have students prepare questions for the visitors in advance. College Movie Night - screen clips from movies or television shows (or an entire film, if you have the time) that feature how students deal with stressful situations on college campuses. ask students to generate a list of myths and facts about college life which come up from the films. sample student work from " What is Stress Management Plan " handout Healthy Choices: exercise Writing in a journal talking with friends Unhealthy Choices: abusing drugs or alcohol Withdrawing from others or avoiding the stressor taking it out on others TRANSITION SKILLS: AVOIDING LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF STRESS EdUCATOR PREPARATION If desired, write each of the " Stressful Scenarios " from the handout on a note card for use during the Collaborative activity. Collaborative Activity Stressful Scenarios discussion - tell students they will be working in groups to figure out how to deal with different kinds of stressors. they will identify warning signs related to unhealthy coping strategies, and will make a list of ways to avoid feeling stress and a list of ways to deal with stress before it escalates. Hand each student a card with one of the Stressful Scenarios written on it. In small groups, have students discuss the scenario and answer the questions given. students should explain how the individual could manage his/her stress, and identify warning signs that might indicate that the person needs to seek help. ENGAGING ALL LEARNERS lesson 22: self-Care and stress ManageMent 335