Understanding Your Body's Stress Response

Grade 9 Health Mastering Stress Management - Lesson 2 45 minutes

Think About It

Think about a time when you felt very stressed What did your body feel like? Share with a partner next to you

What is the General Adaptation Syndrome?

A scientific model explaining how our body responds to stress Developed by Hans Selye in 1936 Shows three distinct stages of stress response Helps us understand why stress affects us physically and mentally

The Three Stages of GAS

Stage 1: Alarm Response

Body's immediate reaction to stress Fight-or-flight response activates Heart rate increases, breathing quickens Adrenaline and cortisol released Muscles tense, senses sharpen

Stage 2: Resistance

Body adapts to ongoing stress Tries to return to normal while staying alert Stress hormones remain elevated Body works harder to maintain balance Can last days, weeks, or months

Stress Scenario Role-Play

Form groups of 4-5 students Each group gets a stress scenario card Discuss which GAS stage applies to each part Role-play the physical and behavioral symptoms Prepare to share with the class

Stage 3: Exhaustion & Healthy Coping

Body's resources become depleted Increased illness and fatigue Difficulty concentrating and mood changes Why healthy coping strategies matter Prevention is better than treatment