1. Coping with Stressors

2. You’ve learned that people can’t always prevent or predict stress. But you can manage your life to reduce the number of stressors you encounter.You can also develop skills to cope with stressors to reduce the likelihood of developing stress-related diseases or disorders.

3. Turn to: How Do I Cope? • Follow the directions and complete the activity.

4. Explain • These are all good ways to cope with stress. • Sometimes people choose unhealthy ways to cope with stressors. Using drugs, acting out violently, obsessive eating or exercising, and even keeping feelings inside are all unhealthy attempts to cope. • A very good way to cope with stress is to talk with others.

5. Turn to your completed “Relationship & Roles” WKSHT. • In the relationship web, circle the people you can turn to when you are stressed.

6. Another way to deal with stress is to learn to relax.

7. Turn to “Stress-Management Skills” • We will read the sheet aloud.

8. Are you familiar with any of these relaxation techniques?

9. Review each of the relaxation techniques listed on the activity sheet. Practice one at home and track the results to see if it helps you cope with stressors. Record your results on a sheet of paper.

10. For good physical and mental health it’s important to identify stressors, manage stress appropriately, and incorporate coping skills into your daily routine.