What stresses you is different from what stresses your neighbour. But the recipe for stress is the same for everyone.
Here are the ingredients:
- SENSE OF CONTROL REDUCED
- PERSONALITY UNDER THREAT
- INSTABILITY
- NOVELTY
| The ingredients of stress | Feelings | Exemple | Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SENSE OF CONTROL REDUCED | You feel that you have little or no control of the situation. | I would like to be in Mr. Beaulieu’s math class because I understand when he explains. | Solution 1: I ask the principal to change my class. Solution 2: I think of all my friends in the current class who can help me understand. |
| PERSONALITY UNDER THREAT | Your skills and self-esteem are put to the test. You doubt yourself or your abilities. | You failed the swimming test and are scared that you don’t have the ability to take it again. | Solution 1: I will take two more lessons before trying again. Solution 2: I’ll ask the coach what I can do to improve. |
| INSTABILITY | Something completely unexpected happens or you can’t know in advance what is going to happen. | You just learned that your parents are separating. | Solution 1: I’ll get help from a counsellor. Solution 2: I’ll talk about it with my best friend. |
| NOVELTY | Something new happens that you have never experienced before. | You change schools and you don’t know anyone in the new one. | Solution 1: I’ll sit with classmates in the cafeteria. Solution 2: I’ll sign up for lunch-hour activities. |
The ingredients of stress are additive. The more elements present in a situation, the more stressful it is.
It’s your turn! Download the tool to help you discover the ingredients.
References:
Taken from Comment favoriser l’expression des émotions de l’adolescent (How to encourage a teenager to express emotions), Fondation Jasmin Roy.
