LIFE ORIENTATION
GRADE 12
NCS 2013
STUDY NOTES
STRESS
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 1
, What is stress? Stress is what we feel in situations we find difficult, challenging or
even frightening. When we feel we can’t cope with the situation.
What is good stress? Stress that makes you ready for action as it gives you
adrenalin and energy. E.g. When you have to stand in front of the class and speak.
It is for a short term and you can have sweaty palms and a dry mouthy or butterflies
in your tummy.
What is bad stress? If the stress is more than you can cope with, it is unhealthy. You
may become ill, unhappy and depressed. You are not able to do your task as well as
you could. You will have headaches or will not be able to sleep.
What is a stressor? A stressor is anything, event or person that causes stress. It is
the things that trigger stress
Symptoms of stress:
Short term effects: Faster breathing/faster heart rate/dry mouth
Sweaty palms/tension in your neck/butterflies in your tummy
Long term effects: High blood pressure/headaches/ulcers/allergies etc.
Types of stressors:
Physical: caused by physical harm, such as violence and sexual abuse.
Environmental: caused by factors like extreme weather or pollution.
Personality bases: people who are more prone to stress than others.
Social: caused by the people around you e.g. peer pressure.
Emotional: caused by your emotions e.g. relationship problems.
Why is it important to manage stress? Your body produce cortisol and adrenalin.
These are 2 stress hormones. Cortisol is the hormone produced by fear, results in
anxiety. Adrenalin- is the hormone that prepares the body to react physically to a
threat. If you fail to manage your stress your body can produce too much of the
hormones for too long. The stress will damage your body and change to chronic
diseases like high blood pressure.
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 2
, • Physical
• Emotional
Types of • Environmental
stress • Social
• Dry mouth
• Sweaty palms
Signs and • Butterflies in stomach
symptoms • Upset stomach
• Postive: Makes your ready to react to situation
Positive and • Negative: Can not do the task or cope with stress
negative stress
Assess levels of stress
Symptoms of stress:
The signs of stress are physical symptoms. Feeling worried is a symptom of
stress. Sweating or trembling hands are a sign of stress and worry. Other
signs or symptoms includes diarrhea or an upset stomach, rapid heart beat,
bleeding ulcers and sweating too much. Symptoms of stress can include
headaches, stomach ache, feeling tense, unable to sleep, constant thirst and
feelings of unease. These are all short term effects of stress.
Long term effects of stress are: high blood ressure/headaches/ulcers/allergies
etc.
Factors that lead to stress in the work place:
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 3
, Poor management/poor planning by
Supervisors or managers.
Lack of skills from other workers.
Poor work relations between management and workers
Poor relations between workers
Poor work environment
Incompetent workers
Jealousy
Autocracy by management
Tasks are demanding
Poor attitude of seniors (no support )
Poor resources to do proper job
Poor work ethics by workers
Understaffed
Poor benefits
Low salary
How to manage stress ( NB!!!! For long questions in exam)
Behaviours, techniques, strategies and examples of ways in which stress
can be managed:
Meditation is a one of the natural methods of relieving stress. Simple deep
breathing exercises can assist tremendously in relieving stress. Meditation
helps to calm the mind.
Exercise and eat healthy foods regularly. Eat healthy foods and exercise
at least 3 times a week.
Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and
agitation.
Don't use illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation
techniques).
Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in
polite, firm, and not overly aggressive or passive ways ("I feel angry
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 4
GRADE 12
NCS 2013
STUDY NOTES
STRESS
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 1
, What is stress? Stress is what we feel in situations we find difficult, challenging or
even frightening. When we feel we can’t cope with the situation.
What is good stress? Stress that makes you ready for action as it gives you
adrenalin and energy. E.g. When you have to stand in front of the class and speak.
It is for a short term and you can have sweaty palms and a dry mouthy or butterflies
in your tummy.
What is bad stress? If the stress is more than you can cope with, it is unhealthy. You
may become ill, unhappy and depressed. You are not able to do your task as well as
you could. You will have headaches or will not be able to sleep.
What is a stressor? A stressor is anything, event or person that causes stress. It is
the things that trigger stress
Symptoms of stress:
Short term effects: Faster breathing/faster heart rate/dry mouth
Sweaty palms/tension in your neck/butterflies in your tummy
Long term effects: High blood pressure/headaches/ulcers/allergies etc.
Types of stressors:
Physical: caused by physical harm, such as violence and sexual abuse.
Environmental: caused by factors like extreme weather or pollution.
Personality bases: people who are more prone to stress than others.
Social: caused by the people around you e.g. peer pressure.
Emotional: caused by your emotions e.g. relationship problems.
Why is it important to manage stress? Your body produce cortisol and adrenalin.
These are 2 stress hormones. Cortisol is the hormone produced by fear, results in
anxiety. Adrenalin- is the hormone that prepares the body to react physically to a
threat. If you fail to manage your stress your body can produce too much of the
hormones for too long. The stress will damage your body and change to chronic
diseases like high blood pressure.
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 2
, • Physical
• Emotional
Types of • Environmental
stress • Social
• Dry mouth
• Sweaty palms
Signs and • Butterflies in stomach
symptoms • Upset stomach
• Postive: Makes your ready to react to situation
Positive and • Negative: Can not do the task or cope with stress
negative stress
Assess levels of stress
Symptoms of stress:
The signs of stress are physical symptoms. Feeling worried is a symptom of
stress. Sweating or trembling hands are a sign of stress and worry. Other
signs or symptoms includes diarrhea or an upset stomach, rapid heart beat,
bleeding ulcers and sweating too much. Symptoms of stress can include
headaches, stomach ache, feeling tense, unable to sleep, constant thirst and
feelings of unease. These are all short term effects of stress.
Long term effects of stress are: high blood ressure/headaches/ulcers/allergies
etc.
Factors that lead to stress in the work place:
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 3
, Poor management/poor planning by
Supervisors or managers.
Lack of skills from other workers.
Poor work relations between management and workers
Poor relations between workers
Poor work environment
Incompetent workers
Jealousy
Autocracy by management
Tasks are demanding
Poor attitude of seniors (no support )
Poor resources to do proper job
Poor work ethics by workers
Understaffed
Poor benefits
Low salary
How to manage stress ( NB!!!! For long questions in exam)
Behaviours, techniques, strategies and examples of ways in which stress
can be managed:
Meditation is a one of the natural methods of relieving stress. Simple deep
breathing exercises can assist tremendously in relieving stress. Meditation
helps to calm the mind.
Exercise and eat healthy foods regularly. Eat healthy foods and exercise
at least 3 times a week.
Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and
agitation.
Don't use illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation
techniques).
Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in
polite, firm, and not overly aggressive or passive ways ("I feel angry
These notes should not replace any teaching but should assist learners in their preparation for the final exam in
September. This is only a summary of the core content Page 4
