Lesson Plan

Stress Busters Lesson Plan

Students will identify at least two personal stress triggers, practice effective coping strategies, and create a personalized action plan to manage stress in future situations.

Teaching stress-management equips students with healthy coping skills, reduces anxiety, and supports their emotional well-being and academic success.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Counseling Session

5 minutes

Step 1

Build Rapport

2 minutes

Step 2

Identify Stress Triggers

4 minutes

Step 3

Review Coping Strategies

4 minutes

Step 4

Develop Action Plan

3 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Stress Busters

Welcome the student warmly. Briefly introduce yourself and explain: “Today, we’ll spend 15 minutes identifying what stresses you out and finding ways you can feel better when stress comes up.” Reassure them this is a private space for them.

Step 1: Build Rapport

Build trust by asking open-ended questions. For example: “How has your week been so far?” “What’s something on your mind today?” Listen actively and reflect back to show you’re paying attention.

Step 2: Identify Stress Triggers

Introduce the Stress Trigger Worksheet. Say: “Let’s think about times you’ve felt stressed recently. We’ll jot down what happened and how you felt mentally and physically.” Guide them through two to three examples.

Step 3: Review Coping Strategies

Hand out the Coping Strategies Handout and explain each option briefly. Encourage the student to pick two that feel doable. Then model deep breathing: “Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 2, exhale for 6.” Have them try it once.

Step 4: Develop Your Action Plan

Open the Personalized Stress Action Plan Template. Collaborate to fill in: • Your top triggers • The two coping strategies you chose • When and how you’ll use these tools next time stress hits

Step 5: Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Summarize: “Today you identified your top stress triggers and picked two strategies to try. You’ve created a plan – great job!” Schedule a brief follow-up check-in and praise their effort.