Stress Less Lesson Plan Stress Less, Thrive More?
Lesson Plan • Undergraduate Wellness
30 Minutes
Undergraduate Students
Why This Matters
"Undergraduate life often comes with significant academic, social, and personal pressures. This lesson helps students build resilience, develop coping mechanisms, and recognize when to seek support, fostering a healthier and more successful college experience."
Preparation
Review Materials & Setup
(15 minutes)
Review the Slide Deck and Script to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
Print copies of the My Stress Toolkit Worksheet for each student.
Prepare the whiteboard or large paper and markers for a brainstorming session.
Ensure projector and computer are working for the slide deck presentation.
Materials Checklist
Slide Deck: Stress Less, Thrive More?
Teacher Script Document
My Stress Toolkit Worksheet
Reflecting on Stress & Support Journal
Whiteboard & Markers
Learning Objective
Students will learn to identify common stressors in undergraduate life and explore practical strategies for managing stress, including understanding the role of counseling.
Instructional Flow
1
Warm-Up: What's On Your Mind?
5 MIN
1. Begin by asking students to anonymously write down one thing that is currently causing them stress on a small piece of paper.
2. Collect the papers and quickly read a few aloud to set the stage for the discussion about common stressors.
3. Transition by stating that today's lesson will focus on understanding and managing these types of pressures. (Refer to the Script for detailed prompts.)
2
Understanding Stress & Its Impact
10 MIN
1. Present slides on the common causes and effects of stress in undergraduate life using the Slide Deck.
2. Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts from the Script about how stress manifests individually.
3. Introduce the concept of healthy coping mechanisms versus unhealthy ones.
3
Building Your Stress Toolkit
10 MIN
1. Distribute the "My Stress Toolkit" worksheet.
2. Guide students through brainstorming and listing personal stress management techniques (e.g., exercise, mindfulness, time management, social connection).
3. Discuss the importance of a varied toolkit and share examples.
4. Briefly introduce counseling as a professional support tool, emphasizing that it's a proactive resource for growth, not just crisis intervention.
4
Wrap-Up & Resources
5 MIN
1. Ask students to complete the reflection on the Journal for homework or a quick in-class thought.
2. Highlight key takeaways from the lesson.
3. Provide information on campus counseling services and other well-being resources.
4. Conclude by encouraging students to prioritize their mental health and utilize available support systems.
Stress Less Slideshow Stress Less,
Thrive More?
Navigating Well-being in College Life
What causes stress for YOU?
Why talk about it?
What is Stress, Anyway?
Stress is your body's natural response to demands or threats.
Acute Stress
Short-term, normal, often helpful (e.g., before a test).
Chronic Stress
Long-term, constant pressure; can be harmful to health.
Discussion Point:
"What are some common stressors for college students today?"
Academics Social Future
How Does Stress Show Up?
Physical
Headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, digestive issues.
Emotional
Irritability, anxiety, sadness, feeling overwhelmed.
Mental
Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, negative thoughts.
Behavioral
Changes in sleep, eating habits, social withdrawal.
Your Stress
Toolkit
Just like a builder needs different tools for different jobs, you need a variety of strategies to manage stress.
Build Resilience
"What kind of 'tools' do you already use or want to try?"
Tools for Your Kit
Physical Activity
Exercise, yoga, walking.
Mindfulness
Deep breathing, meditation.
Time Management
Prioritizing & planning.
Social Connection
Friends, family, mentors.
Healthy Habits
Sleep, nutrition, hydration.
Creative Expression
Art, music, writing.
A Proactive Choice
Counseling: A Powerful Tool
Develop personalized coping strategies.
Confidential space to navigate challenges.
A focus on personal growth and self-discovery.
Improve communication and resilience.
"It's like the gym for your mental health."
Where to Find Support?
Campus Counseling
[Insert Link/Location Here]
Wellness Center
[Insert Link/Location Here]
Student Health
[Insert Link/Location Here]
Peer Support
[Insert Link/Location Here]
Taking care of your mental health is a sign of strength!
Stress Less Delivery Script Teacher Resource
Stress Less, Thrive More? • Instruction Script
Delivery Script
Use this script as a flexible guide. Feel free to adapt the language to suit your personal style and the needs of your students.
01
Introduction & Warm-Up (5 min)
Teacher Script: "Good morning, everyone! Or good afternoon, depending on when you're watching this. Today, we're going to dive into a topic that affects all of us, especially in college: stress. College is an exciting time, full of new experiences, but let's be honest, it can also be incredibly demanding."
"Before we get started, I want you to take a small piece of paper – I'll hand them out now – and anonymously write down one thing that is currently causing you stress. No names, no judgment, just one thing. It could be academic, social, personal, anything at all."
Action: Hand out small slips of paper. Collect them once students are done.
"Thank you. I'm just going to read a few of these aloud to give us a sense of what's on our collective minds... (Read 2-3 anonymous examples, e.g., 'Upcoming midterms,' 'Finding an internship.') ...As you can hear, these are all very real and very common pressures. It shows that you're not alone in feeling this way."
"Today, we're going to explore what stress is, how it impacts us, and most importantly, practical ways to manage it and thrive during your college journey."
02
Understanding Stress & Impact (10 min)
Visual: Advance to Slide 2
Teacher Script: "So, what exactly is stress? At its core, stress is your body's natural response to any demand or threat. It's not always a bad thing! Think about 'acute stress' – that short burst of energy or focus you get before a big presentation. But then there's 'chronic stress,' the constant, long-term pressure. What are some stressors you've noticed that go beyond that helpful push?"
Action: Pause for responses. Facilitate brief discussion.
Visual: Advance to Slide 3
"Exactly. Deadlines, social pressures, financial worries – they add up. When stress sticks around, it doesn't just stay in your head. It impacts your whole self: physically, emotionally, mentally. Has anyone noticed how stress affects their sleep, or focus, or mood with friends?"
03
Building Your Toolkit (10 min)
Visual: Advance to Slide 4
Teacher Script: "Think of stress management like building a toolkit. Just as a carpenter needs different tools for different jobs, you need a variety of strategies to manage the different types of stress in your life."
Stress Toolkit Worksheet My Stress Toolkit
Strategies for Well-being
Name:
Date:
College life can be amazing, but it also comes with its fair share of pressures. Just like a good carpenter has a variety of tools, you need a personal toolkit of strategies to manage stress and keep yourself healthy. Use this worksheet to brainstorm and plan your own stress management techniques.
1 Identifying Your Current Tools
What are some things you already do (or have tried) to manage stress? List as many as you can, even if they don't always work perfectly.
1. ________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________________
2 Expanding Your Toolkit
Look at the categories below. What are new strategies you could try, or existing ones you could strengthen? Be specific!
Physical Activity
(e.g., walking, gym, sports, dancing)
Mindfulness & Relaxation
(e.g., breathing, meditation, mindful eating)
Time & Organization
(e.g., planning, prioritizing, boundaries)
Social Connection
(e.g., friends, professors, joining a club)
Healthy Habits
(e.g., balanced diet, consistent sleep, hydration)
Creative Expression
(e.g., art, music, writing, crafting)
Professional Support
(e.g., academic advising, career services, counseling services )
My Top 3 New Tools to Try
From your expanded toolkit, choose 3 new or strengthened strategies you commit to trying or practicing more regularly this week.
1
2
3
Remember: Small steps lead to big changes. You’ve got this!
Reflecting on Stress & Support Journal Reflecting on Stress & Support
Take some time to reflect on today's lesson about stress and well-being. Your honest thoughts and feelings are valuable. There are no right or wrong answers—only your perspective.
Prompt 1: My Stress Landscape
Consider the anonymous stress activity from class. What are your personal top 2-3 stressors right now? How do these stressors typically make you feel (physically, emotionally, mentally)?
Prompt 2: Exploring My Toolkit
Thinking about the "Stress Toolkit" we discussed, which strategies do you already use effectively? Are there any new tools you learned about today that you are genuinely interested in trying? Why those specific ones?
Prompt 3: Understanding Counseling
Before today, what were your thoughts or perceptions about counseling? Has anything from today's lesson changed or reinforced those perceptions? In what situations do you think counseling could be a beneficial resource for you or someone you know?
Prompt 4: Taking Action
What is one small, actionable step you can take this week to better manage stress or support your well-being? This could be trying a new coping mechanism, reaching out to a friend, or looking up campus resources. Be specific!
Wellness is a journey, not a destination.
