Stress: The Good, the Bad, and the Healthy

Gr 7 Up—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