Part of Lesson Plan: The Effects of Stress on the Body

Activity Overview / Details

Before class begins, write the following on the board:

Please read each of the following statements. They are all symptoms of a condition or state of mind. After reading all of the statements, write the condition or state of mind that you think could cause all of the symptoms listed.

What causes:

• You to forget everything that you studied for a test.
• You to break out in a rash.
• Your palms to be sweaty.
• You to want to run away!
• You to feel as though there is too much to do and too little time to do it!
• A big headache!

WHAT is ______________________________________!

(Write your one-word answer in the space provided.)

After you have taken attendance, poll the class for their answers. The answer should be STRESS. You may get some students that answer ANXIETY. Explain that anxiety is a result of stress so their answer was very close to correct.

Explain that today we will be discussing stress and its possible effects, both positive and negative, on the body.