Episode 1: Jane the Brain and the Stress Mess

Transcript

NARRATOR: Hello, kids! Meet Jane the Brain. Today, we're going to learn about stress with Jane and how to bounce back from tough situations. Are you ready? Sometimes even Jane the Brain feels stressed, just like you. Jane has been struggling in math, and with a big test coming up, she's nervous. She wants to do well and is scared she might disappoint her parents. Oh, and don't forget the science fair, Jane. Jane has a lot to do, and she's really stressed out. When you feel stressed out, you might get a stomach ache, feel tense, or feel your heartbeat faster.

Jane the Brain's alarm system has been activated, called the amygdala. This part of our brain sends out signals to her body in the form of adrenaline and cortisol, which tell her that something terrible might happen. Now, Jane the Brain is in a real mess, a stress mess, and it's become hard for her to think clearly.

But there are ways to handle stress. Don't worry, Jane. First, take deep breaths, called box breathing. Watch how Jane takes a slow breath in and out, holding for a couple of seconds before repeating. Jane can also talk to a trusted friend or adult and get help making a plan. Studying together is a great idea, guys. And don't forget, getting exercise and fresh air can help reduce stress too.

Jane still has a lot to do, but she feels more relaxed and less worried about how to handle things. She's building her resilience. When she started to feel overwhelmed, she used coping skills to get back on track. She took deep breaths, made a plan to get her work done, and got some exercise. Coping skills take practice, but you can become more resilient like Jane too.

If you're interested in learning more about stress, ask a grown-up to go to nimh.nih.gov/stress. Here, you'll find more information and can download your very own coloring book.