My Personal Stress Plan: Part 1: Tackling The Problem

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My Personal Stress Plan
Part 1: Tackling the Problem

Point 1: Identify and Then Address the Problem.
When I have too many problems, I will work on just one at a time. For example, I am going to pick one huge
problem and break it into smaller pieces.
 I will seek advice from family members and learn from their experience how to better handle problems.
 I will take big assignments and learn to make lists or timelines.
 I will work in teams so that I will learn that when people work well together they can do much more than if
they each work alone.
Point 2: Avoid Stress When Possible.

I know that everyone has stress, but there are things that I could stay away from that really stress me out. I will
 Avoid certain people, like ___________________________________________
 Avoid certain places, like ___________________________________________
 Avoid certain things, like ___________________________________________
 Avoid certain memories that create pain for me, like ____________________
Point 3: Let Some Things Go.

I realize that I waste some of my energy worrying about things I can’t fix. Here are some things that I will try to let
go so I can focus on the problems I can change.
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
I know I waste some of my energy when I take things personally that really have nothing to do with me. I am going
to learn this lesson by remembering a time I did this and by choosing not to repeat that mistake.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Part 2: Taking Care of My Body

Point 4: The Power of Exercise.
I will do something that makes my body work hard for at least 20 minutes every other day—more is better. I know
that strong bodies help people better deal with stress, and this will keep me in shape. The kinds of things I like to do
include
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
I can commit to ________ minutes of exercise a day. If I have trouble focusing in school, I will try exercising
before school for ______ minutes (recommended minimum: 20) to see if it helps me concentrate better.
I know that a really hard physical workout will help me calm down when I am feeling most worried, stressed, or
fearful. This is especially true when I can’t concentrate on my homework because it feels like too much. The kinds
of things I might do include
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE MEDICAL CARE AND ADVICE OF YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. THERE MAY BE VARIATIONS IN TREATMENT THAT YOUR HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL MAY RECOMMEND BASED ON INDIVIDUAL FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
COPYRIGHT © 2015 KENNETH R. GINSBURG, MD, MS ED, FAAP, AND MARTHA M. JABLOW. FROM BUILDING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AND TEENS: GIVING KIDS ROOTS AND WINGS. PERMISSION TO MAKE SINGLE COPIES
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Point 5: Active Relaxation.

I will try to teach my body to relax by using
 Exercise that controls the body and releases tension like tai chi or boxing.
 Deep breathing.
 Yoga.
 Meditation.
 Warm, long baths or showers.
 My imagination. I will imagine I am someplace peaceful and relaxing. The place I could imagine myself
being is _________________________________
Point 6: Eat Well.

I know that having a healthy body helps people deal with stress better. I have already agreed to exercise more. I
understand that good nutrition also makes a difference in my health and how well I deal with stress. The changes I
am ready to make include
 Eating a good breakfast
 Skipping fewer meals
 Drinking fewer sodas and sugary drinks
 Drinking more water
 Eating smaller portions
 Eating less greasy meals or snacks
 Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods
 Going to ChooseMyPlate.gov to learn more
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
Point 7: Sleep Well.

I know that people who get a good night’s sleep do a better job of dealing with stress and do better in school. For me
to get the sleep I need, I will try to go to bed at ____:____.
I will consider the following plan to help me get the best night’s rest:
 Avoid caffeine at least 6 hours before bed.
 Exercise 4 to 6 hours before bed.
 Finish homework after exercise because I will be my calmest, clearest, and most focused.
 Take some time to relax or hang out after homework.
 Shower or bathe 1 hour before bed.
 Begin to dim the lights 30 minutes before bed.
 Let go of my emotional tension before bed in a place other than bed (see point 9). If I am really troubled, I
will do this earlier in the evening.
 Use my bed only for sleeping. I will use another place to do some of the things I do in bed now. I will Stop
reading in bed.
 Stop doing homework in bed.
 Stop watching television in bed.
 Stop talking to my friends or instant messaging in bed.
 Stop worrying in bed.
 Dock my cell phone in a charger that is not in my bedroom.
 Deal with the things that stress me out by having a time to let go of my thoughts and feelings in a place
other than my bed.
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Part 3: Taking Care of Emotions

Point 8: Take Instant Vacations.
Everyone needs to be able to escape problems for a while by taking an instant vacation. I will
 Read a book.
 Take a mini-vacation to a local park or recreation center.
 Imagine I am someplace peaceful and relaxing. The place I could imagine myself being is
_______________________________________________
 Watch television.
 Listen to music.
 Play video games that are not violent or stressful.
 Take a warm bath.
 _________________________________________________________________
Point 9: Release Emotional Tension.

I will try to let my worries go, rather than letting them build up inside.
 I will talk to a friend I have chosen wisely because I know he or she will give good advice.
 I will talk to my
 Mother.
 Father.
 Teacher.
 I will ask my parents or a teacher to help me find a counselor to help me work out my problems.
 I will pray to gain strength.
 I will meditate.
 I will write out my thoughts in a diary, journal, or blog.
 I will let myself laugh more.
 I will let myself cry more.
 I will make lists to get organized.
 When it seems that I have too many problems and they seem like more than I can handle, I will work on
one at a time.
 I will express myself through
 Art
 Music
 Creative writing
 Poetry
 Rap
 _________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________
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Part 4: Helping Can Make Your World—And the Way You Feel—Better
Point 10: Contribute.
I know that people who realize they are needed feel better about themselves because they can make a difference in
other people’s lives. I plan to
 Help a member of my family by ______________________________________
 Volunteer in my community by ______________________________________
 Help the environment (or animals) by_________________________________
When to Turn for Help

Even if you are great at dealing with problems, there may be times when stress feels like it is getting to you. You are
not alone. This does not mean you are crazy or a failure. Strong people turn to others for support when they have too
much to handle. It’s OK to turn to wise friends for advice, but it is also important to turn to your parents or another
adult to help you. Nobody will solve your problems; they might just help you figure out how to better deal with
them. You deserve to feel good.
The following signs suggest that you should seek some extra guidance:
 Your grades are dropping.
 You worry a lot.
 You easily get moody or angry.
 You feel tired all the time.
 You get a lot of headaches, dizziness, chest pain, or stomach pain.
 You feel sad or hopeless.
 You feel bored all the time and are less interested in being with friends.
 You are thinking about using alcohol or drugs to try to feel better.
 You ever think about hurting yourself.
 You are using unhealthy coping strategies and are having trouble replacing them with healthier ones.
Remember that one of the best ways to be happy and successful is to manage stress well.
You can do it!

My Personal Stress Plan: Part 1: Tackling The Problem

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My Personal Stress Plan: Part 1: Tackling The Problem

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What are some strategies discussed for managing stress?

What are some signs that indicate one should seek extra guidance in dealing with stress?

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Part 1: Tackling the Problem

Point 2: Avoid Stress When Possible.

Point 3: Let Some Things Go.

Part 2: Taking Care of My Body

Point 5: Active Relaxation.

Point 6: Eat Well.

Point 7: Sleep Well.

Part 3: Taking Care of Emotions

Point 9: Release Emotional Tension.

When to Turn for Help

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