Although we don’t discuss personal stories of stress anywhere in Learning to BREATHE, we do introduce some information about stress in general in this theme. This theme is not intended to be a didactic lesson but, instead, a way of inviting students to consider stress in a different way. We emphasize that stress is not only something outside of ourselves that we typically try to change or avoid, but also an internal process that is shaped by our own perceptions. This can help students gain a broader perspective and more control over their responses when stress seems unavoidable.

One of the first activities in the A theme involves a case study of a hypothetical, average student. There are two case studies in the theme, and teachers can use the one they choose. A review of the case study allows students to recognize common stressors for adolescents. The case study discussion can help them identify the stressors that come from outside themselves and those that come from the inside.
Both case study versions may be adapted to include particular stressors that might be common among students in the group, especially those that reflect the concerns of diverse groups.