🧠
📕 A2: Grades 10-12 • MENTAL HEALTH & SELF-CARE

It’s Okay to Feel Stressed

In this lesson, we talk about stress and anxiety. You will learn words to describe how you feel and practice talking about your own experiences.

It’s Okay to Feel Stressed
💬 Warm-up
1 What does the word 'stress' mean to you?
2 Do you ever feel anxious? When?
3 What do you do to feel calm?

🎯 Objectives

  • Use present simple and 'have got' to describe symptoms of stress
  • Recognize and use 8 vocabulary words related to mental health
  • Read and understand a short article about stress
  • Talk with a partner about what causes stress and how to cope
  • Write a short journal entry about a stressful moment
  • Record a short speech with a relaxation tip
In this block:

📚 Vocabulary

1.
stress
"Too much homework gives me stress."
worry or pressure that makes you feel tense
2.
anxious
"I feel anxious before a big test."
worried or nervous about something
3.
pressure
"The pressure to get good grades is high."
the feeling that you must do something difficult
4.
calm
"Listening to music helps me stay calm."
not worried or angry; relaxed
5.
relax
"I relax by watching a funny show."
to rest and stop feeling stressed
6.
breathe
"When I'm nervous, I take a deep breathe."
to take air in and out of your lungs
7.
rest
"Your body needs rest to feel good."
time when you sleep or do nothing active
8.
mind
"My mind feels busy when I have many things to do."
the part of you that thinks, feels, and remembers
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
stress
worry or pressure that makes you feel tense
anxious
worried or nervous about something
pressure
the feeling that you must do something difficult
calm
not worried or angry; relaxed
relax
to rest and stop feeling stressed
breathe
to take air in and out of your lungs
rest
time when you sleep or do nothing active
mind
the part of you that thinks, feels, and remembers

✍️ Practice

Guess the missing word.
1. It is important to relax after a long day of studying.
2. A good night's rest helps your body and mind recover.
3. If you feel anxious , try to take a few slow breaths.
4. When you are upset, deep breathing can help you feel better.
5. Many students feel a lot of pressure to do well in school.
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
1. It is important to relax after a long day of studying.
2. A good night's rest helps your body and mind recover.
3. If you feel anxious , try to take a few slow breaths.
4. When you are upset, deep breathing can help you feel better.
5. Many students feel a lot of pressure to do well in school.

📖 Reading

Understanding Stress and Anxiety

Do you ever feel stress? It is very common. Stress is your body's way of reacting to pressure. Maybe you have a big exam, or you have to give a speech. Your heart beats faster, and your mind starts to worry. This is anxiety. It can make you feel anxious and tense. But guess what? It is normal. Everyone feels this way sometimes.

The good news is that there are simple ways to feel calm. One way is to breathe slowly. Inhale for four seconds, hold for four, and exhale for four. This helps your body relax. Another way is to take a rest. Even five minutes of quiet time can help your mind feel clearer. You can also talk to a friend or write down your thoughts.

Remember, feeling stress does not mean something is wrong. It just means you care. Learning to handle it is a skill. Start with small steps. Breathe, rest, and be kind to yourself. You have got this!

Comprehension Questions

1.
What is stress according to the article?
Stress is the body's way of reacting to pressure.
2.
How does your body feel when you are anxious?
Your heart beats faster and your mind starts to worry.
3.
Name one way to feel calm from the article.
Breathe slowly or take a rest.
4.
What does the article say about feeling stressed?
It is normal and it does not mean something is wrong.
5.
What is one small step to handle stress?
Breathe, rest, and be kind to yourself.

🎧 Listening Practice

Jessica's Story: How I Handle Stress

0:00 / 0:00
Listening context

Comprehension Questions

1.
Why did Jessica feel anxious last month?
She had a big project and her mind couldn't stop thinking.
2.
What did Jessica do first to calm down?
She closed her eyes and took five deep breaths.
3.
How did she rest?
She listened to quiet music for ten minutes.
4.
What did she feel after resting?
She felt less pressure.
5.
Who helps Jessica feel calm?
Her best friend.

🗣️ Pair Work

Stress Check

"Work with a partner. Ask your partner what causes them stress. Then share one thing you do to cope. Use the vocabulary words: stress, anxious, pressure, calm, relax, breathe, rest, mind."

👉 Ask your partner: What gives you stress?

👉 Listen and then share one way you cope (e.g., 'I breathe deeply' or 'I take a short rest').

👉 Switch roles and repeat.

🚀 EnglishDee Tasks

KEYWORDS: stress anxious pressure calm relax breathe rest mind
✍️ WRITING

Stress Journal

Write about a time you felt stressed. Describe what happened, how you felt, and what helped you feel better. Write 80-100 words. Use present simple and 'have got' for symptoms.

✅ Checklist:
  • Minimum 80 words.
  • Use 4 vocabulary words (stress, anxious, pressure, calm, relax, breathe, rest, mind).
  • Use present simple and 'have got' structures like 'I have got a headache' or 'I feel pressure.'.
🎙️ SPEAKING

Calm Down Talk

Record a 45-second talk. Share 1 tip that helps you relax when you feel stressed. Start by introducing yourself. Then explain the tip and how it helps you.

✅ Checklist:
  • 45 seconds.
  • Use 3 vocabulary words.
  • Speak clearly and at a natural pace.
  • Include: your name, the tip, how it helps you feel calm.
Helpful Phrases
  • When I feel stressed, I...
  • First, I take a deep breath...
  • This helps me relax because...
  • After that, my mind feels...