Stressed Out: Stress Management 101

Today's teenagers struggle with stress on a constant basis, from simple triggers (a sudden pop quiz or trying to find a date to the prom) to complex issues (such as parents divorcing or gang violence). Dr. Hans Steiner, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, guides adolescent viewers through this comprehensive look--with dramatizations and teen interviews--at the emotional and physical symptoms and effects of stress. The key to stress reduction is, according to this program, finding a balance among the "four quadrants of a healthy life": relationships, work or school, recreation, and health. Also emphasized is the importance of talking over problems with trusted friends or adults, with therapy and medication briefly discussed as possible treatments for more severe situations. The accompanying curriculum expands on practical stress management, including relaxation techniques, study strategies, and non-combative communication. Recommended. Aud: H, P. (E. Gieschen)