Understanding Stress
Originally posted at https://heartmindonline.org/resources/nuts-understanding-stress
(Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education.)
We continue to live in a state of uncertainty and we know that chronic uncertainty contributes to increased stress and strain on ones mental health. The Centre for Studies on Human Stress reports that research indicates that for a situation to be stressful it must contain one or more of the following characteristics:
N - novelty; something new
U - unpredictability; no way of knowing it could occur
T - threat to the ego; feeling your competence is questioned
S - sense of control; feeling you have little or no control in a situation
It is no surprise that 2020 and a global pandemic fit all the criteria!!
Age Matters
People of all ages experience stress when they encounter N.U.T.S., but how old you are does influence why some situations are more stressful than others. For example, school age children are particularly sensitive to what happens at home. Any family conflict, struggle with poverty or parental anxiety amplifies a stress trigger when you are young. On the other hand, adolescents (12-18 years), while still affected by what is happening at home, are also highly sensitive to situations connected with friendships and popularity.
Parent’s stress is contagious
Children’s stress is impacted by their parents’ stress. The more parents are stressed, the more their child will produce high levels of stress hormones. Why? Because when a parent loses control of their emotions and behaviour, they become the factor of unpredictability in their children’s lives. The good news is that when parents act in a way that decreases the unpredictability in their child’s life, they increase their sense of control - and reduce stress.
What to do about it?
Know the Signs
The more you are aware of both the physical and emotional signs of stress, the more quickly you can intervene. Stress can manifest in different ways. If any of the following show up, you might want to take a closer look:
Problems sleeping (this may indicate worry)
Changes in behaviour (for example a calm child who becomes agitated and vice-versa)
Emotional outbursts
Difficulty with learning and memory (when a child is stressed, they have a hard time focusing and distinguishing between what is relevant and not relevant)
Hyperactive behaviours (think fight and flight!)
Frequent colds and flus (this may be a sign of a low immune system)
Changes is hunger, appetite, and digestion
Muscle tension and headaches
Power of Others
Gather a circle of support
Connect with animals
Plan activities to support the child to do things for others
Problem Solve
Name the feelings – Name it to Tame it!
Identify the trigger in the situation – using NUTS!
Emphasize ways that the child can increase their feeling of control
Release it
Breath
Be active - physical movement and play helps to release the extra energy caused by stressful situations
Listen to or make music
Laugh
