Lesson 1 – Stress
Materials Used: Townsley, D., Hughes, R., & Crooks, C. (2016). The Fourth R: Healthy Relationships, Safe Choices, Connected Youth. London, ON: The University of Western Ontario.
Introduction
Welcome to our Health Unit in PE 9. This a very important portion of the grade 9 curriculum that will give you the opportunity to think about your health and what it means to be healthy. It will also provide you with information about factors that can positively and negatively impact your health, and various health related skills for you to apply everyday. Often there are sensitive topics and conversations that may come up. Our goal is that everyone can feel comfortable to share their thoughts and ideas using the following guidelines.
Guidelines
- Respect (No laughing, listen to others, etc.)
- No names (Do not use real names)
- Participate (Do your best to contribute and share)
- Right to pass (If you feel uncomfortable with a topic, you always have the right to pass)
Activity #1 – My Health
Strategy – Discussion
Take a look at the Holistic Health chart below. Through research and a greater understanding of our bodies, we have learned that health should be viewed holistically. This means that there are a variety of areas in our lives that contribute to our health. Health should no longer simply be viewed physically. In order to be healthy we need to consider a variety of areas. Please take a moment to look at the chart and the the interconnection of each piece.
Activity #2 – Recognizing Stressors for Youth
Strategy: Jigsaw
There are many things that can add stress in our lives. It is important to identify them, understand them, and develop methods to manage our stress levels. In this next activity you will have a chance to identify different stressors in your life and what causes them. In groups of 4, number off 1 through 4. Each person will have 30 seconds to talk about how the topic may cause stress.
Common Stressors for Youth Round 1 (1.2 V)
Common Stressors for Youth Round 1 (1.2 Ref)
Common Stressors for Youth Round 2 (1.3 V)
Common Stressors for Youth Round 2 (1.3 Ref)
Activity #3 – How Stress Affects your Body
Activity #4 – Stress as a Part of Life
Strategy: Think Pair Share
Think about all of the different things in your life that cause stress. Be prepared to answer the following questions below.
- Is it “normal” or expected that these types of events and things should cause stress in your life? Why or why not?
- Are there times in your life where stress can be helpful?
- What are some ways to cope with stress?
Activity #5 – Coping Strategy – Guided Imagery
Activity #6 – Stress Factor Quiz
Strategy: Individual Quiz
Individually complete the following online quiz & view your results, suggestions and tips in the side bar once complete:
Stress Quiz for Students & Teens | What Stresses Me Out? (changetochill.org)
Activity #7 – Reflection
Unit 1 Lesson 1: How can I manage my stress in a way that would benefit my daily health?
Strategy: Inquiry
My Personal Health and Wellness Inquiry
The purpose of your Personal Health and Wellness Inquiry is to create a culminating health and wellness plan. Your plan is created and built by you, based on your own personal inquiry into a number of important questions about your health and wellness. It is a journey of learning more about yourself, exploring a variety of valuable topics, and understanding how they relate to you. You will use each lesson’s topic as a springboard to the begin your personal inquiry. It is expected that you will refine and improve your responses, as you gain more knowledge and understanding, until the final product is completed in grade 10. A draft will be submitted at the end of each of the three units.
Steps
- Create an Office 365 Word document titled My Personal Health and Wellness
- Create a Heading – Unit 1 Lesson #1 – How Can I Manage My Stress in a Way That Would Benefit My Daily Health?
- Using information provided in this unit, personal reflection, and additional research, answer the question above to the best of your ability in complete sentences. Please feel free to use real life examples whenever applicable.
Additional Resources
Supporting Minds: An Educator’s Guide to Promoting Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being