PSYC 110 Week 6 Managing Your Stress paper
Student Name
Chamberlain University
PSYC-110: Psychology
Prof. Name
Date
Managing Your Stress
Stress is an unavoidable part of life that everyone experiences at some point. It represents the body’s natural reaction to changes that require both adjustment and response. These reactions can be physical, emotional, or mental in nature. Stress can emerge for various reasons—sometimes unexpectedly—and may be triggered by both negative and positive events. Common stressors include preparing for examinations, coping with family conflicts, and fulfilling daily job responsibilities. Interestingly, even joyful occasions such as organizing a wedding or hosting a retirement party can create stress due to the planning and decision-making involved.
According to Feldman (2019), an event is perceived as stressful when individuals view it as threatening or challenging and believe they lack the resources to handle it effectively. The way individuals respond to stress varies significantly—some seek emotional support from loved ones or professionals, while others may adopt harmful coping mechanisms such as excessive alcohol consumption or aggressive behavior.
How Do You Cope With Stress?
Personally, I rely heavily on social support from family and close friends. This type of support has been shown to provide significant mental health benefits, strengthen the immune system, enhance cardiovascular health, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. My primary coping style is problem-focused coping, which involves addressing the root cause of stress directly. As McLeod (2015) explains, problem-focused strategies may include problem-solving and effective time management to reduce or eliminate the stressor.
Social support not only allows for emotional expression but also fosters growth by providing new perspectives and strategies for future challenges.
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
When encountering stress, individuals often go through the process known as the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). This model outlines predictable physiological responses to stress, regardless of its origin (Feldman, 2019).
PSYC 110 Week 6 Managing Your Stress paper
Some common life events that may trigger GAS include:
| Stressful Event | Possible Impact on Individual |
|---|---|
| Relationship breakup | Emotional distress, loss of motivation |
| Job loss | Financial strain, decreased self-esteem |
| Serious health issues | Physical limitations, increased anxiety |
| Financial difficulties | Chronic worry, strained relationships |
If stress becomes chronic, it can contribute to severe mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and personality disturbances.
Personal Experience with Stress
One significant example from my life occurred when I began nursing school while working full-time and living independently for the first time. Managing rent, bills, and academic responsibilities created immense pressure. However, consistent support from family and friends helped me adapt to these demands more effectively.
Scott (2019) defines social support as acts that convey care, validate another’s feelings or actions, and facilitate adaptive coping through information, assistance, or tangible resources. Knowing that others were willing to help reduced unnecessary self-imposed pressure and reinforced my ability to persevere.
The Dual Nature of Stress
Stress itself is not inherently negative. It can be beneficial when it motivates individuals to remain alert, focused, and prepared for challenges. However, when stress persists without relief, it can overwhelm the body, triggering the “fight-or-flight” response excessively. This overactivation can lead to burnout, physical illness, and emotional exhaustion.
Understanding stress, recognizing one’s coping style, and fostering strong social support networks are essential to managing it effectively. Engaging in activities such as exercise, mindfulness practices, journaling, and maintaining healthy nutrition can further improve resilience against life’s inevitable stressors.
References
Feldman, R. (2019). Understanding psychology. [Bookshelf Ambassadored]. Retrieved from https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781260883817/
McLeod, S. (2015, January 1). Stress management. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-management.html
PSYC 110 Week 6 Managing Your Stress paper
Porter, J. (2015, March 23). The science of reading your coworkers’ personalities. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/3044030/how-to-get-better-at-reading-and-reacting-to-coworkers-personalities
Scott, E. (2019, October 6). How social support can help you relieve stress in your life. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-social-support-research-3144460