Description
The usual approach to the subject of stress is that it is altogether a bad thing that must be “managed,” if not eliminated, at all costs. Texts contain methods for reducing stress, such as deep breathing, meditation, hypnosis, exercise, yoga, journaling, self-talk, biofeedback, time management, and visualization—to mention a few of the options. Many students who have taken courses such as this have made significant changes in their lives as a result of what they learned. Among those who continue practicing their stress management and prevention skills, most would agree that it required significant time, energy, and commitment to make the changes last over time.
The reality is that most people don’t stick with diets, exercise programs, or stress reduction plans for very long. That is one reason why there is always a new best-selling book on the market that promises immediate, dramatic results—with little effort. Similarly, a few years after you graduate from college, little that you learned will stick with you. One reason for this is a lack of relevance of the content to your personal interests and goals. Another is that the material may not have been introduced to you in a way that was compelling or interesting.
KEY QUESTIONS
- Why is it so difficult to maintain important changes in your life, especially those related to your health?
- In which classes have you learned the most? What contributed to that learning that still remains a permanent part of your life?
- What have been the most critical incidents that have occurred in your life and how have they impacted the choices you have made, as well as those you are considering in the future?
- After reading the personal stories of the authors, what might you expect from what will follow?
Contents:
Part I Understanding the Nature of Stress
1 The Meaning of Stress
2 The Body’s Reactions to Stress
3 Sources of Stress across the Lifespan
4 Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior
5 Individual and Cultural Differences
Part II Strategies of Stress Management and Prevention
6 Challenging Stressful Thinking
7 Problem Solving and Time Management
8 Psychological and Spiritual Relaxation Methods
9 Physical Methods for Stress Reduction
10 Preparing for the Future: College and Occupational Stress
11 Care of the Self: Nutrition and Other Lifestyle Issues
12 Stress and Conflict in Relationships
Part III Strategies of Synthesis and Prevention
13 Resilience and Stress
14 Optimal Functioning to Make Your Changes Last