Note from Ms. Nirode:

This year I have decided to add an entire new website for both fitness and stress/mental health.  There is just too much to add to just one tab of my original website found at www.msnirodeshealthclass.jimdo.com.  The last couple of years I've really focused on integrating more fitness, mental health, and nutrition into all 4 grade levels I teach, in addition to all of the other health ed. subjects.  Ultimately I want to build a resource that can be used at home, in class, anywhere, and anytime!

What's a stress buster?  

A stress buster is anything that can bust your stress and take you back to a level, calm state.  It is very important for students to find healthy ways to deal with daily stress and mental health issues that can occur throughout a lifetime.  One size does not fit all!  We will practice different techniques and strategies in health class.  It is the students job to figure out which strategies work for them and which techniques they think is something that they can use to manage stress.

A stress buster can be relaxation, regulation, or a reduction strategy.  Can you eliminate a stressor?  Are their things that you can do on a daily basis that will keep the body strong and healthy to face daily stress?  And finally, we all deal with stress.  Are there ways to relax and counterbalance the symptoms and effects of stress?  

Step 1:  (Recognize) What are the signs and symptoms of stress?  Short term?  Long term?  What if stress is not managed?  How can stress impact your overall health?  (Mental, Physical, and Social?)

Step 2:  What's stressing you out?  What are some common life stressors?  What are stressors that teens face?

Step 3:  What are the 4 "R's"?  When should you use each strategy? Which strategy is the one that fits?

Step 4:  Finding strategies that work for you?  What are stress busters?  What are some ways that you can manage stress?  Practice different stress busting strategies and finding the right fit.  Arming yourself with a tool kit. 

Step 5:  Practice.  Learn to recognize your stressors and problem solve to find solutions.  Make good decisions about your health and wellness.  Take care of yourself.  Care enough about yourself to take care of yourself.  Take time and make time for your wellness and mental health.  Build your toolkit.