Stress is a natural response to challenges, which helps people stay alert and motivated. However, when stress builds up without relief, it can cause frustration, anxiety, tiredness, or trouble focusing. Choosing the right strategies can make a big difference in how a person handles stress and bounces back from difficult moments. The Coping with Stress (PDF) handout discusses what stress feels like and shares nine scientifically proven ways to handle it. It includes techniques like deep breathing, movement breaks, and grounding exercises that clients can try when things feel overwhelming. Each one is designed to be simple and doable in daily life. This handout helps young people start building their own set of go-to tools for managing stress. One helpful idea is creating a personal “stress kit” they can keep at home or school. It might include breathing visuals, calming items, or short checklists of what works best for them during stressful moments. Caring adults can support this process by modeling how they manage stress in their life, like stepping outside, stretching, or writing down their thoughts. They can also remind kids that stress is a normal part of life — and that learning how to handle it is a skill that gets stronger with practice. This handout is included in our 11-page Mental Health Coping Skills Bundle, and we also have a version of it included in our 39-page Stress Management Handouts Bundle. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of coping skills worksheets and handouts. References: Smith, C., & Carlson, B. E. (1997). Stress, coping, and resilience in children and youth. Social Service Review, 71(2), 231-256. https://doi.org/10.1086/604249 Uliukin, I. M., Grigorjev, S. G., Silchuk, A. M., & Silchuk, S. M. (2017). Coping with stressful and problematic for the individual situations of young people. Bulletin of the Russian Military Medical Academy, 19(1), 48–50. Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Skinner, E. A. (2023). Coping with stress: Person-environment transactions, diversity, and development. Encyclopedia of Mental Health, 480-489. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-91497-0.00125-9
