Meeting Life Challenges

Explain the concept of stress. Give examples from daily life.

State the symptoms and sources of stress.

Describe the GAS model and illustrate the relevance of this model with the help of an example.

Enumerate the different ways of coping with stress.

Explain the effect of stress on psychological functioning.

Describe how life skills can help meet life's challenges.

Discuss the factors that lead to positive health and well-being.

How does stress affect the immune system?

Give an example of a life event which is likely to be stressful. Suggest reasons why it is likely to cause different degrees of stress to the person experiencing it.

Given what you know about coping strategies, what suggestions would you give to your friends to avoid stress in their everyday lives.

Reflect on the environmental factors that have (a) a positive impact on the being, and (b) a negative effect.

We know that certain lifestyle factors can cause stress and may lead to diseases like cancer and coronary heart disease, yet we are unable to change our behaviour. Explain why?

Record the stresses in the lives of 5–10 teenagers. Are these different for girls and boys? Find out the ways by which they cope with them.

Discuss with your parents and grandparents the unique stressors they face in their lives and how they cope with them.

Identify a child in your neighbourhood who had undergone some major stress in life such as a serious accident or been through a recent traumatic experience like a robbery, fire, etc. Talk to the child and family. Can you identify some factors that have helped her/him to cope and overcome the trauma? Do you see any similar factors in your own life? Discuss with your teacher.