Syllabus
Lesson 1: Physiology of Stress
Stress is at epidemic levels in the world today. Currently, as many as 90% of all visits to healthcare providers in the United States are considered to be stress related. Stress affects every aspect of the body, mind, and spirit, resulting in a wide range of symptoms from headaches or stomach ailments to heart disease or death. Stress is difficult to define because it varies from individual to individual. What one person finds stressful might not bother another person at all. There are many types of stress, and each can result in many different physiological effects on the body.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the physiology of stress, the body’s responses to stress, and the impact of stress on various bodily systems.
Lesson 2: Social Context of Stress
A strong social support network is important during difficult times. A social support network consists of friends, family, and peers. Developing and maintaining supportive relationships provide feelings of belonging, self-worth, and security. Without a strong social support network, individuals can experience a sense of isolation, disconnection, and stress. Despite their initial impression of fostering connectedness, technology and social networking often increase a person’s feelings of isolation because relationships established online may not be deep and real. In addition, incivility and a lack of regular contact with nature also increase stress.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the social context of stress, the impact of social support on health, the stressful effects of incivility, how lack of contact with nature affects stress levels, and the stressful effects of technology, social networking, and multitasking.
Lesson 3: Psychology of Stress
Events, people, and circumstances fill our normal daily lives–along with a certain amount of stress. Some of us experience psychological effects from this stress, while others seem to be unaffected or even thrive when challenged. Why do we react differently to stressors? Despite much research on the topic, the answer is not clearly understood, but key elements include personality, emotional intelligence, and gender.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe stress and personality types; stress appraisal, coping, and emotion; the elements of emotional intelligence; gender difference in exposure to stressors; and strategies for reducing psychological stress.
Lesson 4: The Effects of Stress on Health
Stress can dramatically affect the body and the mind to the detriment of physical and psychological health. Both acute and chronic stress, the timing and duration of stress, gender, and genetics play a role in the complex relationship between stress and health.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the relationship between stress and health and the role of stress in the development of a variety of health issues.
Lesson 5: Stress and Nutrition
Most individuals enjoy sitting down and eating a delicious meal. Food provides an opportunity to socialize and, if the food is nutritious, it also supports a healthy body and mind. However, when individuals are stressed, they are not able to utilize the nutrients they eat as effectively as when they are relaxed. If stress causes an individual to eat food that is not nutritious, health issues can result. Nutrition, stress, and the immune system are closely related.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the relationship between nutrition, stress, the immune system, and overall health.
Lesson 6: Stress and Physical Activity
Physical activity is essential in a program for stress management and overall health. This can include activities such as walking, running, swimming, cycling, skiing, dancing, gardening, yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi Chuan, weightlifting, and stretching, as well as many other practices. These activities provide an integrative, holistic, healthy way to connect mind, body, and spirit, which improves physical, mental, and emotional health.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to examine the types of physical activity, the physiological benefits of physical activity, and how various types of exercise can help manage stress and improve health and well-being.
Lesson 7: Workplace Stress
For most individuals, the workplace is ever changing and a major source of daily stress. As a result, the economic and personal health effects of workplace stress are at epidemic levels, making it one of the most important health challenges of the 21st century.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the extent of workplace stress; job stress and job burnout; the causes of job stress; the extent of workplace violence and horizontal violence; health effects of workplace stress; and ways to reduce job stress.
Lesson 8: Journaling: Healthy Living Through Self-Discovery
Writing has been an important part of the human experience for centuries but has only recently been recognized as a therapeutic tool for healing. By documenting personal and historical events, describing emotions and feelings, reducing stress, and exploring creativity, journaling allows individuals to develop a deeply personal relationship with themselves.
The outcome of the course is for the learner to describe the healing aspects of journaling, including the use of journaling as a stress-reduction tool, how journaling is used for health and healing, and guidelines and tips for successful journal writing.
Lesson 9: Stress Reduction Techniques and Therapies
You may think you do not have a lot of control over the stress in your life, but you have more control than you might think. There are many ways to manage and reduce stress by using stress-relieving techniques and therapies.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the techniques and therapies to reduce and manage stress, which include self-awareness, cognitive restructuring, sound healing and music therapy, meditation, nature, imagery, biofeedback, art, and dance.