This lesson emphasizes identifying stress as a process that takes place in the brain and body, identifying when stress can be helpful (eustress), when stress becomes overwhelming (distress), and emphasizes the use of coping skills to mitigate the negative effects of stress.

I find older kids often know their preferred copings skills and have often already spent time with their helping adults exploring/practicing them. So, this lesson does NOT teach specific coping skills. Instead, it explains what is going on in the brain and body when stress is felt, how stress is natural and normal, and why use of coping skills is important to capitalize on stress when we need it. Teaching about stress as normal, and even positive, offers a validating and empowering approach to encouraging the use of positive coping skills.

The slides and worksheet are simple to increase comprehension and suit middle through high school students.

This lesson includes presentation notes (discussion points and questions slide-by-slide included) (2 pages), slides to present (8 slides) , and a worksheet (1 page).