Student Conversation about Stress Management

Sage:   Anyone seen Brian? We've been waiting ten minutes already.

Heather:   Here he comes.

Jose:   Hey Brian, what's up? How are your classes going?

Brian:   They're not. No matter how much I try, I just can't seem to get anything done.

Heather:   Sounds like you have some issues. Do you have any idea what might be wrong?

Brian:   No. I'm just really confused about what I need to know for class and I can't seem to get going. I can't stay focused. I'm really tired and sometimes I even fall asleep in class. Deena:   Brian, why don't you take a break from your classes today and let us try and help you calm down a little. I've worked with some stress relief methods before, so I can sort of guide us through this. Brian:   That sounds great, if you guys don't mind helping me out.

All:   Sure.

Deena:   Alright, let's start with a few questions. Do you think you get enough sleep at night?

Brian:   Not really. I have to work and study, so I probably only get about four or five hours if I'm lucky. Deena:   What about exercise? You should try to exercise at least three days a week. Brian:   The only exercise I get is walking back and forth to class.

Deena:   Hmmmm...

Sage:   Deena, I know exactly what he is talking about. I bet you're eating a lot of junk food too, right?

Brian:   Yeah, I am, but I don't have the time to sit down and eat regular food.

Heather:   I know what you mean. I can't tell you how many times I've ordered pizza this month just because I didn't have the time to make myself a real meal.

Jose:   What about your friends, man? I know it helps me out a lot, when I'm feeling lousy, to talk to my friends. It really cheers me up.

Brian:   Well, I used to talk to my friends all the time, but ever since I got into this slump I've sort of lost touch with them. Sometimes someone will call and see if I want to go out.

Sage:   Well? Do you go?

Brian:   Yeah, sometimes, but not as often as I used to.

Jose:   Whoa! When I first met you, you used to party 'til, well, the cows came home.

Brian:   Seriously guys, I find myself hanging out in my room a lot just watching TV.

Deena:   Is something worrying you? Something must be making it hard to concentrate?

Brian:   I guess I'm worried about grades, work, and especially letting my parents down. The more I think about this stuff, the worse it gets and the less I get done. Heather:   It really sounds like a vicious cycle. Deena:   Right, Heather, and what we need to work on is breaking that cycle so Brian can start focusing on his work again.

Brian:   That sounds great Deena, but how do I get started?

Deena:   Actually, you've already gotten started. You see, what you did is called an awareness check. You found out that you're not getting enough sleep, your eating habits need to change, you need more exercise to stop your body from tiring out and you need to keep in touch with your friends who support you and keep you in a positive frame of mind. You have something to work with there.

Brian:   Wow, I didn't realize that all those things could be connected to how I feel.

Deena:   So, how do you usually cope when you feel uptight and stressed out?

Brian:   Well, in high school I used to run whenever I felt stressed, but now I think that I really like listening to music and zoning out.

Deena:   So, how do you feel after you're done listening to music?

Brian:   I feel a little more relaxed. Sometimes it puts me to sleep.

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