Week 1. January 31                              Introduction to the course

Week 2. February 07                            Science of Stress

• • • • • • • • Describe the human fight-or-flight response to stress.
              • List the physiological changes associated with the stress response.
              • Identify the stages of the general adaptation syndrome.
              • Explain how the science of stress relates to stress management and prevention.

Week 3. February 14                            Mind and body connection

• • • • • • • • Describe the role of stress in disease.
              • Discuss how stress can affect body systems, including the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, and immune systems.
              • Explain the placebo effect as an example of the power of the mind over the body.

February 21                                            No class

Week 4. February 28                            Power of Perception and Thinking

• • • • • • • • Define perception, and explain how perception affects your experience with stress.
              • Explain cognitive appraisal and cognitive restructuring.
              • Describe how the hardiness characteristics of commitment, challenge, and control can be developed to facilitate a more positive perception.
              • Discuss how your thoughts activate the stress response and how it is therefore in your control.
              • Describe the relationship between the amount of stress you feel and the level of control you feel.
              • Experience and apply a variety of cognitive techniques to prevent unhealthy stress.
              • Distinguish between effective and ineffective ways of responding.
              • Respond to situations in the most effective way that will result in inner peace.
              • Explain how rational thinking differs from irrational thinking.
              • Identify specific types of thought patterns you engage in that have positive or negative effects on your handling of stress.
              • Evaluate how your thinking influences your emotions and stress.

Week 5. March 07                                 Mindfulness

• • • • • • • • Explain the relationship between mindfulness and reality.
              • Distinguish between mindfulness and mindlessness.
              • List the qualities of mindfulness.
              • Explain the benefits of mindfulness.
              • Experience mindfulness as a tool to unclutter the mind and bring about mental tranquility.

Week 6. March 14                                 Managing emotions

• • • • • • • • Explain how negative emotions such as guilt, worry, fear, anger, and hostility relate to stress.
              • Describe the physiological manifestations of certain emotions.
              • Distinguish between guilt and worry.
              • Explain the differences between anger and hostility.
              • Take action to prevent and control stress-causing emotions.

Week 7. March 21                                 Values and spirituality

• • • • • • • • Clarify and prioritize the values that are most important in your life.
              • Explain the connection between values clarification and stress management.
              • Explain the Niagara syndrome as it relates to feeling stuck in your life.
              • Differentiate between instrumental values and terminal values
              • Describe the influence of spirituality on stress.
              • Differentiate between the terms religiosity and spirituality.
              • Delineate five qualities of spiritual health.
              • Develop a personal plan to reduce stress through spiritual balance.

Week 8. March 28                                 Time/Life management

• • • • • • • • Select a time management technique that will work for you.
              • Identify time wasters.
              • Prioritize to gain control of your time.
              • Overcome procrastination.
              • Reduce your stress by being more efficient and effective.

Week 9.  April 04                                   Financial stress

• • • • • • • • Explain the ABCs of money management.
              • Create and implement a plan for financial fitness.
              • Set financial goals to reduce money-related stress.
              • Discuss how doodads and credit cards contribute to financial stress.
              • Investigate what the research says about the relationship between money and satisfaction in life.

April 11                                                    No class. Spring recess

Week 10. April 18                                  Social support, relationships, communication

• • • • • • • • Explain the ABCs of money management.
              • Create and implement a plan for financial fitness.
              • Set financial goals to reduce money-related stress.
              • Discuss how doodads and credit cards contribute to financial stress.
              • Investigate what the research says about the relationship between money and satisfaction in life.

 

Week 11. April 25                                  Environmental stress

• • • • • • • • Describe the connection between social support and stress.
              • Describe the types of social support.
              • Explain how effective listening is the key to healthy communication.
              • Explain the importance of touch as a form of non-verbal communication.
              • Discuss how men and women may handle stress differently.
              • Identify the styles of conflict management.

Week 12. May 02                                   Healthy lifestyles

• • • • • • • • Define what is meant by a “healing environment.”
              • Describe the role of color, light, smells, air, noise, temperature, nature, and organization in creating a healing environment.
              • Explain how a healing environment helps to prevent stress.
              • Identify the physiological and psychological impact of increasing exposure to technology and how technology can be managed to prevent stress.
              • Evaluate your environment to determine the impact your surroundings have on your stress.

Week 13. May 09                                  Course overview

Week 14. May 16                                  Final exam on Blackboard