Another idea I use for my students is th…

Another idea I use for my students is through a stress jar analogy. I bring a glass jar to class and get students to write out all of the things in life that causes them stress. They one by one come up and drop their slip of paper into the jar. As a class we discuss how the jar is a metaphor for us and how we ‘take on,’ ‘hold,’ and sometimes ‘wear our stress.’ This discussion is powerful as I ask my students what it feels like when stresses pile up. We then read a few of the examples in the jar and discuss. Lastly, in groups we discuss ways we can support ourselves and each other in ‘stress management.” We talk about what we do to manage tasks that seem overwhelming and/or activities to support us in managing our stress (breathing exercises, breaks, talking it out, exercise etc.)