Stress and coping
Strand 1: Self and Relationships
- Outcome 5.1 A student analyses how they can support their own and others’ sense of self.
SLA
- Supporting yourself
- Effective stress and management
SLT
- examine the role and impact of stress on health and rehearse a range of positive management strategies, eg yoga, physical activity, relaxation, listening to music

KLA Integration
- Drama (role plays)
- English ( responding to questions)

Skill Outcomes
- Communication
- Interacting
- Problem solving
- Planning
- Moving

Rationale
Adolescences are experiencing situations in their lives which may cause stress. Stress may be developed at home, school and work environments which may affect one’s sense of self. Students need to understand and apply positive management strategies to reduce stress and support ones self. There are many strategies which teenagers can use such as listening to music, yoga and physical activity to decrease the impact of stress on their health.

Scope of task
1. Firstly, write the heading ‘stress and coping’ on the whiteboard.
2. Hand out the worksheet ‘stress and copying’ for students to fill out.
3. Ask students what they have answered to the questions on the worksheet ‘stress and coping’.
4. Divide the class into groups of four – six. Hand out a scenario card to each group.
Students will read their scenario about students going through stressful situations.
5. Each group will role play their scenario and outline the positive management strategy they have will examine to reduce this person’s stress.
6. Each group will present their scenarios in front of the class and answer the discussion questions.


Worksheets
Stress and coping questions




















Scenarios - stress and coping

Discussion questions
1. What positive management strategy did you choose to reduce stress?
2. Why did you choose that management strategy?
3. Do you think that if the person uses this strategy they will cope with stress?
4. How does copying with stress improve this person’s lifestyle?


Reason for inclusion
The aim of this task is to provide students with knowledge to cope in situations which may cause stress. Students have learnt to make decisions, interact and move whilst completing the scenario worksheet. Students will learn to problem solve by suggesting their scenario with a positive management strategy. Students will also learn to problem solve and communicate by suggesting their scenario with a positive management strategy. Students will present their scenarios to a specific audience.