PSY 172 - Stress & Stress Management

1. Identify major terminology and concepts of stress
   1. Distinguish between eustress and distress
   2. Describe sources of stress
   3. Discuss the holistic approach to health
2. Discuss the use of stress self-assessments
   1. Use stress self-assessments to recognize sources and symptoms of personal stress
   2. Explain how various self-assessments are used to obtain a holistic picture of stress and health in the individual
3. Explain the science of stress
   1. Discuss the body’s physiological response to stress
   2. Describe the fight or flight response
   3. Describe the General Adaptation Syndrome
   4. Summarize the problems associated with the human stress response in today’s world
4. Describe the mind-body connection
   1. Explain the role of stress in physical illness and disease
   2. Discuss the relationship between stress and immune functioning
5. Discuss the contribution of psychological factors to stress and health
   1. Examine the effect of perceptions and cognitions on stress.
   2. Identify the contributions of emotions such as worry, fear, and anger to stress
   3. Discover the effects of mindfulness on stress
6. Discuss and use stress management strategies
   1. Practice the use of value clarification in the reduction of stress
   2. Demonstrate the use of time and money management in the reduction of stress
   3. Explain the impact of social support, environment, lifestyle, and spirituality in the reduction of stress
7. Explain and demonstrate stress reduction or relaxation techniques
   1. Describe and demonstrate how to practice stress reduction techniques
   2. Discuss the psychological and physiological benefits of various stress reduction techniques
   3. Explain several techniques including breathing exercises, autogenics, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, meditation, or yoga
   4. Analyze the contributions of complementary and alternative health care to stress management
   5. Identify and practice other healthy stress reduction strategies