Psst. Hey smarty pants, question.
Have you ever felt stressed out?
Maybe you had a bad test coming up.
Or a big game. Or an upcoming performance.
As we speak I'm planning a pizza party for all the guests I've had on Who Smarted.
Sounds also very stressful.
Think about it, every who smarted guessed.
That's a lot of different characters from different historical eras.
The wheel. Different parts of the world.
Here you go mate. And even different species.
It's me, bullmoji! That also means lots of different dietary preferences, plus I don't know who's going to show up, or even how many pizzas to order.
Don't forget the toppings.
Toppings? Whoa, oh boy, oh boy.
You sound stressed.
Oh, I know the perfect thing.
Talking to someone who can help me calm down?
Oh, I was going to suggest meat cake.
Yeah, I don't think meat cake's the answer.
Hmph, whatever. To this particular problem.
Ugh. Instead, I need to learn more about stress, like, what is stress?
What causes it? How does it affect you?
And how can you calm yourself down?
That probably makes more sense than meat cake.
Great. Then it's time for another whiff of science and history on Who's smarted?
Who's smarted? Who's smart?
Is it you? Is it me?
Is it science? Or history?
Listen up. Everyone, we make smarting.
Lots of fun. But who's smarted?
behind because Disney and Pixar invite you on an out of this world adventure.
Engaging hyper speed.
This is awesome! on June 20th.
Welcome to the Comuniverse.
Prepare to be conquered.
I just got here. Follow me.
What is this place?
These are the lava tunnels.
I am not fire proof!
Catch Disney and Pixar's Elio in theaters June 20th.
Rated PG for rental guidance suggested.
Okay smarty pants, it seems planning a pizza party for every guest that's ever been on Who Smarted is more complicated than I thought, and it's starting to stress me out.
So what should I do?
Any suggestions? If you said talk to someone, that's a great idea.
In fact, to help calm me down, I've invited the calmest creature I could think of to come over.
I just hope they get here soon.
They're not exactly the fastest creature.
Hey, you're here. Hey, trusty narrator.
Hey, smarty -pants. Smarty -pants, you may remember them from our episode on the rainforest. Why, it's the sloth.
Thanks for coming, sloth.
I'm surprised you got here so fast. I took an Uber.
No, biggie. Sloth, you're always so chill.
Do you ever feel stressed?
Of course. Everyone feels stress sometimes.
Really? Everyone? Yep.
Grown -ups, kids, even animals feel stress.
Wow, so I guess the first question is, what is stress?
Smarty Pants, do you know?
Would you say stress is your body's way of responding to a threat, responding to a demand or responding to pizza?
I know it's not pizza.
No, thank goodness, pizza does not cause stress.
But planning a pizza party can because the answer is that stress is your body's way of responding to a demand.
However, stress is also your body's way of responding to a threat.
When your brain senses danger, It kicks in your body's defense system known as the stress response.
Your stress response also known as your fight or flight response prepares you to face a danger head on or fight.
Or run away real fast. AKA flight.
But a pizza party isn't dangerous...
... unless the pizza's too hot when you bite it.
Ow! No, pizza parties are not dangerous.
But your brain sometimes has trouble telling the difference between a real or imagined thread.
For example, if you watch a scary movie...
You might feel scared, even though it's just a movie.
And your stress response is your brain and body's way of protecting you.
The problem is, even though there's no danger, I'm feeling tense and anxious.
Yup. That's stress you're feeling.
Smartypants, besides feeling anxious, what other symptoms of stress are there?
Call some out. Uh -huh.
Uh -huh. Yeah, those are some good answers.
Believe it or not, stress is so powerful, its symptoms can be both physical and emotional.
Physical symptoms include headaches, BOOM body pains, OINK stomach aches, GROAN and skin rashes.
And emotional symptoms include feeling scared, angry, sad, worried, numb, or frustrated.
Stress can also lead to changes in appetite, trouble sleeping, and loss of energy.
Can you even imagine a low -energy sloth?
So, what should you do if you're feeling stress?
Smarty -pants, any ideas?
I'm open to any suggestions you've got.
Uh -huh, uh -huh. Ha!
More good advice? Hey, Smarty Pants!
True or false? If you're worried about something, keeping it to yourself will make you feel better.
If you said false, you're right.
That's right, Trusty Mariner.
You did the right thing inviting me over.
Yeah, I definitely feel better now that you're here.
But chances are the Smarty Pants don't have a sloth friend to talk to, so what should they do?
Well, if the smarty -pants are feeling stressed, they can try talking to a trusted adult, like a parent, relative, neighbor or teacher, or even a close friend.
Not only will it make them feel better, you might be able to work together to solve your problem.
Right. Talking about the pizza party has definitely made me feel a little better, but I'm still stressing out about it.
That's normal. Lots of people feel stressed before a big event, especially if it's something you haven't done before.
Uh -huh, so besides talking about it, what should you do if you're feeling stressed?
Well, one thing you can do is turn your nervous feelings into the you'll need to complete your task.
You can pace around your room, rub your hands together, shake out your arms, and tap your feet.
This helps burn off the stress energy.
And while you're doing that keep reminding yourself, I got this.
I got this. I got this.
I got this. Physical activity is a good way to de -stress, but so is relaxing your mind.
You can meditate, do yoga, listen to music, or listen to a podcast. Right, like my friends at the Be Calm on Awaay Island podcast. They're really good at telling fun stories to help calm me down so I can fall asleep.
Of course, I don't want to fall asleep right now.
I have so much to do.
Ah, oh boy, oh boy.
Oh boy. Relax, Trusty.
It's going to be OK.
Take a deep breath.
Aha! Smarty Pants, when you're feeling stressed, do you breathe faster, slower or normal?
The answer is faster.
Uh -huh. Taking slow, deep breaths will help calm your body and mind.
Exactly. Which is why the Be Calm on Ahweh Island podcast starts every show by taking three deep dragon breaths as a way to calm down and get ready for bed.
All right, here I go.
Smarty pants, you can do it with me.
Three deep dragon breaths on the count of three.
One, two, three. Ah, that does feel calming.
OK, so after talking to you and the smarty pants, doing some physical activity, taking some nice deep breaths, and telling myself I can do this.
You can do it! I'm feeling a lot less stressed.
That's great, trusty narrator.
But now, my question is, is there a way to not feel stressed out in the first place?
Well, unfortunately, there is no way to completely avoid feeling stress, because stress is something that happens beyond your control.
I see. But there are ways to manage it and reduce the effects of stress.
Ah, that's good. What are they?
Smarty -pants, do you know?
Well, for one thing, taking good care of yourself and having healthy routines is key to avoiding stress.
Ugh. That means eating good food, exercising, and, above all else, getting lots of sleep.
Ah, or should I say, away.
Not getting a good night's sleep can make it really hard to control stress.
But getting to sleep can be tough, especially if you're feeling anxious or upset, which is why lots of kids like listening to Be Calm on Awe Island every night before bed.
Yeah. So, uh, have you thought about pizza toppings yet?
Toppings? Toppings?
Every time I try to think about toppings, my heart races.
Yeah! I become sweaty.
And I feel a strange tingling sensation inside my stomach. What's going on inside me?
Why do I feel that way?
It's all part of the stress response.
Great. You can tell me all about it right after this quick break.
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Hey, smarty pants, have I got exciting news for you.
Here, I'll give you a hint.
Hahaha. Yep, that's right.
New episodes of Mysteries About True Histories are coming soon, so head on over and see what wild time -traveling adventures our young problem -solvers are up to this season.
And if you've never heard of Mysteries About True Histories, aka math, just trust me, you're going to love hearing how Max and Molly use math, history, geography, logic, puzzles, and fun to solve mysteries about true histories.
From the creators of Who Smarted comes Mysteries about True Histories, starting May 15th with new episodes every Thursday.
Subscribe and download anywhere you listen to Who Smarted.
Now back to Who Smarted.
Smarty Pants, if you've ever been stressed or worried or nervous about something, chances are you felt strange sensations like what they call butterflies in your tummy.
But have you ever wondered what's going on inside you?
Sloth, do you know?
Well, when your brain identifies a possible danger, it turns on your stress response.
Think of it like an alert system for both people and animals.
Danger. Danger. Prepare to activate stress response.
Your brain triggers the release of stress hormones inside your body.
Your breathing quickens to provide more air to your lungs.
Your heartbeat speeds up to pump more blood.
And the strange tinglies you feel inside your arms, legs, and stomach is adrenaline pumping through your body, giving you extra energy, focus, speed, and strength.
Wow. It's kinda like stress gives you superpowers.
Not superpowers. More like stress boosts your ordinary powers to help you fight, take flight, or freeze in place to avoid detection.
Freezing is my go -to option.
Did you just freeze in place right now?
No, I'm just a sloth moving really slowly.
Okay. So to recap, stress affects all people and animals and is your brain and body's response to something it sees as a threat, whether it's actually dangerous or not.
The symptoms you feel is your body's stress response and action.
However, if you aren't eating well or getting enough sleep or exercising, it makes it harder to control stress and you could feel run down or get headaches or feel sad or angry.
Uh! When you're feeling stress, it's good to talk to someone, take deep breaths and listening to podcasts like Be Calm on Awe Island can help you get a good night's sleep.
Anything else? Yes, it helps to think of things you're grateful for or that make you happy.
Ah, that's why every episode of Awaay Island ends with them thinking of three things they're grateful for.
Well, I'm definitely grateful for you coming here and helping me learn how to feel less stressed.
Also, what pizza topping do you like?
I like leaves on my pizza.
Great. Hey, Grog, come on in.
Mmmm, oonga doonga, pizza round, like the real.
Wow, so many who smarted friends made it to the pizza party.
There's Gia, the whoa -girl.
Whoooooa! Cool pizza party, trusty.
Sergeant Harris! Ah, eat up men.
You're not gonna get grubbed this good in a foxhole.
Ah, my good pal, Robert Maroon.
Hey, how you goin', mate?
Hah, Wanda Worm is here!
I just love this cup post pizza, Trustee narrator.
And of course, Chet Nickerson!
This is Chet Nickerson reporting live from Trustee narrator's Pizza Party.
It's a hit, five stars!
Also, whatever you do, do not try the Pumoji pizza.
No thanks. But a big thanks to my friends at the podcast, Be Calm on Ahweh Island, for their dragon breaths and relaxing stories to help me sleep more and feel stress less.
After all, when it comes to a pizza party, there's nothing to fear.
Who wants meat cake pizza?
Except that. A super sweet shout out to Hazy in Denver, Colorado, who wrote us to say, Who Smarted is an amazing podcast and great for short car rides.
We love Who Smarted because of the great characters and silly facts.
Thank you, Who Smarted team.
Ah, thank you, Hazy.
This episode, Stress, was written by Sarah Sweitek and voiced by Taya Garland, Sarah Sweitek, Adam Tex Davis, Gia Woah Davis, and Jerry Colburn.
Technical direction and sound design by Josh Han.
Who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios.
Our associate producer is Max Komoski.
The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis.
Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex -Davis and Jerry Colburn.
This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.
