lenny

Stress Less, Live More

user image

Lesson Plan

Stress Less, Live More Lesson Plan

Students will understand the nature of stress and learn practical management techniques, including crafting activities, to reduce its impact on their daily lives.

Managing stress is essential for maintaining mental health and academic performance. Integrating crafting and an engaging video presentation can offer creative ways to reduce stress and encourage social connection.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, video presentation, demonstration, practice, and a crafting activity.

Materials

Stress Less, Live More Lesson Plan, Stress Management Techniques Guide, and Mental Health is Brain Health

Prep

Preparation for Stress Management Lesson

10 minutes

Step 1

Kick-Off with Mental Health Awareness Video

5 minutes

  • Introduce the lesson by showing the video Mental Health is Brain Health.
  • Briefly discuss how the video relates to Mental Health Awareness Month and why understanding mental health is important.

Step 2

Introduction to Stress

5 minutes

  • Engage students in a discussion about what stress is and how it affects them.
  • Provide a simple definition of stress and its impact on mood and concentration.
  • Emphasize that while some stress is normal, excessive stress requires effective management.

Step 3

Understanding Stress Effects

10 minutes

  • Present visual aids that explain the physical and emotional effects of stress.
  • Discuss common signs of stress that students may notice in themselves.
  • Encourage students to share personal experiences in a supportive environment.

Step 4

Techniques for Managing Stress

10 minutes

  • Introduce various stress management techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation.
  • Demonstrate one or two techniques, guiding students through the process step-by-step.
  • Refer to the Stress Management Techniques Guide for additional details.

Step 5

Crafting Activity: Friendship Bracelets

5 minutes

  • Explain how creative crafting activities, like making friendship bracelets, can help reduce stress by promoting mindfulness and social connection.
  • Provide materials and instructions for making simple friendship bracelets.
  • Allow students to begin crafting while discussing its relaxing benefits.

Step 6

Wrap-Up and Reflection

10 minutes

  • Recap the key points of the lesson, including stress management techniques and the benefits of crafting as a stress relief method.
  • Invite students to share which technique or aspect of the video and crafting activity they found most engaging.
  • Provide an opportunity for questions and encourage students to apply these strategies during stressful times.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Stress Less, Live More

Welcome to our lesson on Stress Management

8th Grade | 45 Minutes

Introduce the lesson with enthusiasm and set the tone for an interactive session on managing stress. Emphasize that stress management is a skill they can use anytime.

What is Stress?

• A natural response to challenges.
• Can affect mood, focus, and energy.
• Some stress is normal, but excessive stress needs management.

Discuss what stress is. Ask students for examples of stress they encounter. Explain that while some stress can motivate us, too much stress can be harmful.

Effects of Stress

Physical Effects:
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Muscle tension

Emotional Effects:
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating

Use visuals to describe the physical and emotional signs of stress. Encourage the students to share if they have experienced any of these signs, ensuring a supportive discussion.

Techniques for Managing Stress

• Deep Breathing
• Mindfulness
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Refer to the Stress Management Techniques Guide for more details.

Introduce several stress management techniques. Briefly explain each technique and mention that we’ll practice one or two shortly.

Practice Session

Let's try a deep breathing exercise:

  1. Inhale slowly for 4 counts
  2. Hold for 4 counts
  3. Exhale slowly for 4 counts
  4. Repeat for 2 minutes

Guide students through a practical exercise. Demonstrate deep breathing or mindfulness technique step-by-step and then allow students to try it themselves.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• Recap: What is stress? How does it affect us?
• Which stress management technique did you find most useful?
• Questions & Sharing Experiences

Recap the main points of the lesson. Open the floor for any questions and encourage reflection on which techniques they might try in their daily lives.

lenny

Worksheet

Stress Management Techniques Guide

In this worksheet, you'll explore different techniques that can help manage stress. Read each section carefully, try the exercises, and write your observations in the space provided.

1. Deep Breathing Exercise

Deep breathing is a simple technique to help calm your mind. Follow these steps:

  1. Sit comfortably with your back straight.
  2. Inhale slowly for 4 counts.





  3. Hold your breath for 4 counts.





  4. Exhale slowly for 4 counts.





  5. Repeat this cycle for 2 minutes.

Exercise:
Try this exercise once on your own. Describe how you felt during the exercise and note any changes in your mood or physical state:







2. Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation helps you focus on the present moment. Here’s a simple way to practice:

  1. Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths.
  2. Focus on the sensation of breathing in and out. Notice how your body feels.
  3. When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.

Exercise:
Spend 5 minutes practicing mindfulness meditation. Write down one challenge you noticed during your practice and one strategy you could use to overcome it:







3. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

PMR involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups to reduce physical stress. Follow these steps:

  1. Find a quiet spot and sit or lie down comfortably.
  2. Start at your feet by tensing the muscles for a few seconds and then releasing. Notice the change.
  3. Slowly move up your body, including legs, abdomen, hands, arms, and face.

Exercise:
Try PMR with one muscle group (for example, your hands or feet). Describe what you felt when you tensed and then relaxed the muscles:







Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on these techniques. Answer the following question:

Question: Which stress management technique do you feel would benefit you the most, and why?












Use this guide as a reference whenever you feel stressed. Practice regularly to help improve your overall well-being.

lenny
lenny
Stress Less, Live More • Lenny Learning