One-third of all teens feel some negative stress on a daily basis. But not all stress is bad. A young gymnast describes how a certain amount of stress helps him perform better. Peter Montminy, a child psychologist and wellness coach, explains how too little stress makes us bored and listless, whereas too much stress can lead to burnout and exhaustion. The program shows students the importance of achieving the right stress balance.
Real teens talk about the types of situations that cause them to become too stressed. These include academic pressures, family pressures, financial worries, social pressures, and self-imposed pressures to excel. They also describe their experience with the harmful effects of stress including headaches, anxiety, depression, and strained relationships with family and friends. Dr. Montminy and a group of teens talk about how to successfully manage stress with every day activities. A 15-year-old rap artist describes how he finds relief from stress by performing on stage—an activity that others might find stressful.
Includes:
Research-Based video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post test in digital format
Awards
Silver Telly Award
Reviews
Students viewing this video might be surprised to lern that stress can actually be a positive response to situations like sports and tests, where it helps improve performance and assist in focus. The key is to learn how much stress or stimulation is optimal. A cross-section of male and female teens explains how various stressors like family demands, school difficulties, and self-induced pressures impact their lives. Commentary from a clinical psychologist is interspersed with the teen narratives. Viewers learn, through a graphic representation of body responses and a humorous cartoon, that the fight-or-flight response (be aggressive or flee) is hardwired in people as a protective reaction. While these body responses can be useful and even pleasurable, when unrelenting stress and stimulation occur over a period of time, toxic stress hormones build up and cause anxiety, depression, headaches, sleep problems, and more. The solutions presented involve straightforward, generally easy-to-implement practices entailing adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and a positive support network, including professional help. The teens also explain how to combat stress by taking part in a variety of activities such as sports. A teen rap artist describes how he relieves stress by performing on stage. This excellent, upbeat video provides a balance of facts, personal accounts, professional commentary, and straightforward solutions. School counselors and teachers can use this resource to help students gain insight into their feelings and responses and teach them stress management techniques. A variety of useful teacher resource materials is included.
—Rebecca James, Currey Ingram Academy, Brentwood, TN
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