Recognizing Stress Worksheet
GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC
The first step to managing stress is learning how to recognize stress. People who are stressed often ignore their symptoms. Some do not even know they are experiencing symptoms of stress until they are taught how to identify symptoms in therapy.
Stress is a normal part of life, but ignoring its symptoms can cause long-term challenges, like anxiety, depression, and more. That is why it is important for therapists to teach their clients how to identify symptoms of stress.
About This Worksheet
Learning tools for recognizing stress can make a difference in a client's life. It is also helpful for a client to learn how to identify their triggers. With these skills, clients can learn how to healthily manage their stress.
The Recognizing Stress worksheet helps therapists teach their clients about common stress symptoms and triggers. It provides a list of triggers and symptoms that the client may use to learn about their experiences with stress. This worksheet can help adolescents and adults learn about how stress affects them. It can be used in individual and group therapy.
Instructions
To teach a client how to manage stress, the therapist must first teach them how to identify stress. There are 2 sections on this worksheet. The first section lists symptoms of stress, and the second section lists common triggers for stress.
Begin by reviewing the introduction and directions with the client. Allow them time to review and check off their symptoms and triggers for stress. They may also list symptoms and triggers not listed in the space provided.
When the client has completed the worksheet, review their responses. Ask them reflection questions, like:
- What did you learn about your stress?
- How would you like to start learning how to manage your stress symptoms?
Use the worksheet to develop a plan for learning healthy stress management skills. Encourage the client to reference the worksheet when feeling stressed to practice identifying their symptoms and triggers.
References
Slavich, G. M. (2016). Life stress and health: A review of conceptual issues and recent findings. Teaching of Psychology, 43(4), 346–355.
