Page 54 - Electronic Summary Toolkit

Stress Balloons

Stress balloons provide a structure for deciding whether a stressor is one which will build resilience,
one which is tolerable with the right support or if it is the type of ongoing stress which is toxic and
needs fast reduction to prevent long term neural damage.
Good times help Green stress Blue stress can be Toxic stress can make us pop
build our brain helps us to fly tough for a while

HAPPY CALM POSITIVE TOLERABLE TOXIC
▪ Positive times connected with ▪ Temporary and mild increase ▪ Serious temporary stress ▪ Stress response system
friends and family. in stress hormone levels & response; activated for too long
▪ Engaged in tasks that the brief increase in heart rate;. ▪ E.g. death of a parent. ▪ Not enough protection or
young person enjoys and in ▪ E.g. starting a new, friendly ▪ Buffered by supportive, caring caring adults to act as buffers.
which they feel capable school. adult. ▪ E.g. seeing domestic violence.
▪ Leads to repair to the body ▪ Leads to resilience, ▪ Leads to adaptation & ▪ Leads to long term mental
and better skills at confidence & good coping recovery. & physical health issues &
regulating feelings in skills. Executive Function Skill
times of stress. difficulties.

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