Carrot, egg, or tea? A parable gets teens thinking about how, when faced with the same adversity, people respond differently. As the instructional activity progresses, class members learn about how stress is regulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the three states of the stress response, and how stress impacts emotions. After examining a Stress Reduction Plan, individuals practice one of the stress reduction strategies.

Concepts

stress management, stressors, anxiety, coping skills, healthy habits, self-perception, the central nervous system, the nervous system

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Instructional Ideas

• Remind class members to keep all unit related materials in the Healthy Smart binder

Classroom Considerations

• Resource nine of 25 in the Social-Emotional Health series
• Requires copies of the four-page stress reduction booklet

Pros

• The detailed plan includes step-by-step directions
• Provides learners with specific strategies to reduce stress

Cons

• None