Managing Stress and Building Resilience
Year 7 PSHE Understanding stress and learning coping strategies Building emotional wellbeing skills
Learning Intentions
L.I by the end of this lesson I can: Name and describe two stress management techniques Explain how stress affects me personally Identify situations that make me stressed
What Is Stress?
Name and describe two stress management techniques Explain how stress affects me personally Identify situations that make me stressed
Stress Snapshot Activity
Write one thing that has made you stressed recently on a Post-it note Keep it anonymous We'll group similar stressors together This helps us see we're not alone in our experiences
How Stress Affects Us
Physical effects: headaches, tired muscles, faster heartbeat Emotional effects: worry, irritability, feeling overwhelmed Mental effects: difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts Behavioral effects: changes in sleep, appetite, or social habits
Think-Pair-Share
Think: What situations make you feel most stressed? Pair: Share with a partner Share: Tell the class one example from your discussion
Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques
Mindfulness helps us focus on the present moment Deep breathing activates our body's relaxation response Box breathing: breathe in (4), hold (4), breathe out (4), hold (4) Regular practice makes these techniques more effective
Let's Practice Together
Find a comfortable sitting position Close your eyes or soften your gaze Follow the guided mindfulness audio Then we'll practice box breathing together Notice how you feel before and after
Remember
Managing stress is a skill that improves with practice Everyone experiences stress - you're not alone It's okay to ask for help when you need it Small steps lead to big changes in how you feel