This 16-week course investigates the adolescent brain and the impact of stress on the student’s ability to learn and perform academically. Students will discover how to recognize, manage, and reduce stress in their lives using mindfulness tools as an intervention. The course will also introduce the concept of somatic intelligence as a resource to increase their ability to self-regulate, improve attention, and gain awareness.
Throughout the course students will engage in activities that stimulate the discussion of stress and anxiety, explore the science of the brain and the nervous system, experience tools and resources that increase their ability to manage stress, and expand their capacity for resilience.
Lessons:
- Define stress, stressors, symptoms
- Stress response in body and mind
- Adolescent brain on stress
- Coping versus managing stress
- Anger – The fight response
- Anxiety – The flight response
- Depression – The freeze response
- Suicide and self-harm
- Substance use and abuse
- The addictive brain and mindfulness
- Healthy habits – Body, mind and spirit
- Mindfulness tools to train the brain
- Trauma and healing the wounds of our past
- Beliefs and burdens – The legacy of trauma
- Resiliency and Hope – How to thrive
- Final Project – Collaging or Story board