INTRODUCTION:
Stress and trauma are found in all of our lives, but they do not need to define our lives nor do they need to have a negative outcome. We can integrate stressful experiences and pursue a path of wellness every day. In this course, we will spend some time getting to know a variety of coping strategies and relaxation techniques that can help manage stress. We will be exploring these strategies and techniques to be able to effectively recommend tools that support people in their stress. At the same time, you just might find some strategies that work well for you!
This first assessment, which links to the fourth assessment, will have you examine a variety of coping strategies and relaxation techniques and choose one of each type to explore in depth. As you think about what you will choose, think of how you can use (or potentially use) each in your own life. There are many ways you can incorporate wellness techniques into your life—from focusing on your own breathing, to journaling. This first assessment could allow you to find some wellness pick-me-ups that you can use!
There are small things we can do each day to reduce our feelings of stress and enhance wellness. We'll provide a couple of ideas alongside each assessment.
- Think of one thing that you are grateful for—just one. It can be your significant other, your child, your health, your favorite video game. It doesn't need to be big. Just the act of being grateful can allow us to process stress differently (Gu et al., 2022).
- Much of our stress arises from trying to change things that cannot be changed, or worrying about the future or thinking "if only things were different." Too often we miss life as it is happening right before us. I encourage you to be present today.
Reference
Gu, Y., Ocampo, J. M., Algoe, S. B., & Oveis, C. (2022). Gratitude expressions improve teammates' cardiovascular stress responses. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General,151(12), 3281–3291. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001238
PREPARATION:
To prepare for this assessment, you will need to select one coping strategy and one relaxation technique listed below to explore in greater detail for this assessment and Assessment 4. Consider how you can use or potentially use each in your own life. Ideally you should plan to spend some time trying each out during your time in this course and report back on your experiences.
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INSTRUCTIONS:
Download the Planning Worksheet: Coping Strategies and Relaxation Techniques [DOCX] resource. Complete the worksheet, where you will be asked to address the following elements:
- Identify and briefly describe the coping strategy and the relaxation technique you have chosen.
- Identify three or more stressors in your life that you can focus on during this course.
- Explain why your selected coping strategy and relaxation technique appeal to you.
- Describe how you will use the coping strategy and relaxation technique.
- Describe the challenges that you see to applying your chosen strategies and techniques.
- Note: Please provide supporting evidence by citing your textbook and two peer-reviewed journal articles (one on your coping strategy and one on your relaxation technique) within your responses.
As you complete the planning worksheet, be sure to look ahead to the instructions and requirements for Assessment 4, Coping and Relaxation Presentation, which will directly relate to this assessment.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Written communication: Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
- Resources: Use your textbook and a minimum of two peer-reviewed journal articles found in the Capella University Library.
- APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
SOURCES:
Addressing Stress
Read the following chapters from your textbook to explore and understand the nature of stress in our lives in a high-stress modern society.
- Seaward, B. (2022). Managing stress: Skills for self-care, personal resiliency and work-life balance in a rapidly changing world (10th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
- Chapter 1, “The Nature of Stress.”
- Your reading of Chapter 1 of the text will focus on the nature of stress in our lives in a modern society that has a high potential for stress.
- Epilogue, “Creating Your Own Stress-Management Program.”
- Chapter 1, “The Nature of Stress.”
Watch a video on ways to reduce stress by accessing this section of the reading list. Here, you will find a direct link to segment 8: Ways to Reduce Stress.
- Assessment 1: Seriously Stressed.
Coping Strategies and Relaxation Techniques
In your textbook, skim through parts 3 and 4, “Coping Strategies” and “Relaxation Techniques.” As you continue your skimming of Chapters 9–28, make some decisions regarding which coping strategies and relaxation techniques you will use for Assessments 1 and 4. Both require you to take a deep dive into both a coping strategy and a relaxation technique to manage stress.
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GRADING COMPETENCIES:
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 1: Apply current theory and research to specific topics in stress, trauma, and wellness.
- Identify a coping strategy and relaxation technique.
- Describe a plan for using the coping strategy and relaxation technique.
- Competency 2: Analyze ways in which stress and trauma impact the lives of individuals.
- Explain why the coping strategy and relaxation technique are appealing as they relate to personal stressors.
- Describe the challenges in applying the chosen strategy and technique.
- Competency 4: Communicate with appropriate purpose, organization, evidence, tone, and sentence structure.
- Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
- Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.