Words-Words-Words...What makes me feel this way?

Teens usually don't relate pains and tensions in their bodies to a troublesome event. They often have many distractions when life gets difficult and if they could acknowledge what's going on it would probably lighten their mood. The following activity will help young people understand the cause and effects of stress. Sometimes all they need is to find the right words and get support from a good listener.

Activity: Make a chart that lists things that might be contributing to a teen feeling "out of sorts."

There are many additional words and phrases to add to these lists. Brainstorming with a group can add lots of describing words to the lists and make a good classroom exercise. A teen feels less alone when s/he knows others are familiar with feelings and have reactions to events. Having a list handy enables a teen to make some choices, and when there's a way to describe a feeling, it makes it easier to get through all the difficulty!