Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education Additional Supports ...

Positive Mental Health and Stress
Public Profile
Unit #3 Activity #3
Teaching Learning Strategy #6
Teacher Resource (Background Information)
Stress Management Techniques/Strategies Definitions
Catholic Profile
Unit #5 Activity #3
Teaching Learning Strategy N/A
Relaxation Response
Opposite of the stress response: Heart rate, respiration and blood pressure drop, muscular
tension disappears, sweating stops, etc.
Relaxation Technique
This is a method that can be learned and used to control the level of arousal due to stress.
The first step is learning to be aware of the level of tension. The next step is learning
mental and physical techniques to promote the relaxation response and achieve a state of
inner calm. In this state, one can focus on the problem causing the stress and increase
oneÕs capacity to deal with it. OneÕs mind is open to positive suggestions.
Mind-Body Connection
A term used frequently to describe the interconnectedness of the psychological and
physical parts of the human organism. It is the basis for the efficacy of relaxation
techniques.
Biofeedback
Initially sophisticated machines that measure pulse or galvanic skin response (degree of
sweating) and emit a sound that becomes more or less intense as the level rises and falls
monitor a personÕs level of arousal. The feedback allows the person to monitor and
change the level of arousal. Eventually the person is able to achieve relaxation without
the machine. The method has proven effective for people who get migraine headaches.
Breathing Techniques
Taking a deep breath is a natural way of reducing stress. More advanced techniques
teach deep abdominal breathing and focus on the act of breathing. Breathing to a
particular cadence which may include partial and full breaths, or stopping momentarily
between inhalations and exhalations are additional breathing techniques.
Exercise
Physical activity promotes the relaxation response by putting the accumulated stress
hormones (adrenaline) to use. Aggressive feelings can be legitimately expressed.
Focussing on the activity can provide a restful Òtime outÓ from the sources of the stress.
Exercise also promotes better sleep and a healthier immune system.
Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education (PPL30), Module #2 Positive Mental Health and Stress
Page 35