edHelper.com
Healthy Life
 Stress

Stress
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 6 to 8
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   6.52

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    Eustress, stress-related, stressor, stressors, tenses, biological, adaptation, lengthy, mid-term, negative, resistance, exhaustion, unhealthy, emotional, basis, stressful

Print Stress
     Print Stress  (font options, pick words for additional puzzles, and more)

Quickly Print - PDF format
     Quickly Print: PDF (2 columns per page)
     Quickly Print: PDF (full page)

Quickly Print - HTML format
     Quickly Print: HTML

Proofreading Activity
     Print a proofreading activity

Feedback on Stress
     Leave your feedback on Stress  (use this link if you found an error in the story)

Stress
By Jennifer Kenny 		  
1     Nathan had a mid-term tomorrow. He needed to study for this very important test. He also had a commitment to work three hours this afternoon. He had basketball practice as well. His head was pounding. He was stressed.
 
2     What is stress? Stress is how your body and mind react to a demand. Many things can cause stress. Stress can be caused by environmental stressors, biological stressors, thinking stressors, behavioral stressors, and life change stressors. Environmental stressors are the factors in your physical environment that stress you. Crowds and pollution are environmental stressors. Were you ever at a crowded mall shopping before the holidays? You probably were stressed. Biological stressors are conditions, which make it tough on your body on a day-to-day basis. An illness or injury is an example of a biological stressor. Thinking stressors are mental challenges. Were you ever stressed out about difficult homework or a test? Behavioral stressors include unhealthy behaviors. Smoking and its damage can put stress on you. Finally, life change stressors, positive or negative, can cause stress. People getting married can be happy but stressed. A death in the family can be a huge stressor.
 
3     Your body responds to stress depending on the situation. When you need to respond, your body gives you energy, reflexes, and strength by releasing epinephrine. This hormone speeds up your breathing, makes your heart beat faster, tenses up your muscles, and increases your blood sugar. This is needed for your fight-or-flight response.

Paragraphs 4 to 7:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable
Copyright © 2009 edHelper