Stress Management

DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSE in STRESS MANAGEMENT -online study option also available

" The online courses are very easy to use and follow. Prompt friendly replies from tutor to any queries. Course structure flows freely. Very satisfied with course and results..."
- Diana (completed ACS Online course in Intro to Psych and Psych & Counselling)

It is important to recognize whether you or someone you know or a client is under stress. Often, even if we are under the influence of a stressful condition and our body reacts to it internally as well as externally, we fail to realize the symptoms of our stress. This also happens when the causes of stress are there long enough for us to get used to them. The body may try to tell us that it is stressed or that something is wrong, through symptoms such as:

• heart palpitations
• dizzy spells
• tight and sore muscles or
• various body pains and conditions
• blurry vision
• inability to eat or over-eating
• loss of interest in usual activities
• unexpected emotional reactions and more…

It is important to remain attentive to such symptoms and to have a stress management system in place to counter the adverse affects of stress. This course will give you a greater understanding of stress, how and why it occurs, and how we can manage our stress.

When we encounter the term stress in magazines and books, it often really refers to ‘excess stress’. This can in fact be misleading, because the human being is always in a state of stress (arousal). Extreme stress conditions, psychologists say, are detrimental to human health but in moderation stress is normal and, in many cases, proves useful. Stress, nonetheless, is synonymous with negative conditions.

We use the term ‘distress’ to indicate negative stress, which can lead to harmful effects, such as being fired from one's job. The term ‘eustress’ is used to refer to positive arousal which provides a healthy challenge, such as being promoted in one’s job.

The level of stress differs from one individual to another. Certain individuals experience a higher degree of stress than others (e.g. a job promotion may cause eustress for most people but for some it could cause distress). The level of stress also changes over time - you might be experiencing less stress now than you did a year ago.

With proper self awareness and management techniques stress levels can be lowered, perceptions altered and responses improved. In this course we deal with physical problems related to stress, how to achieve easy living, dealing with drugs, developing self esteem, relaxation, diet and much more. This course is equally relevant for self improvement, or professional development (for any allied health professionals such as counsellors, life coaches, fitness instructors or nutrition consultants).

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Body Changes
   • The fight or flight response; the stress and immune system; long term problems; sources of stress
2. Easy Living
   • Anxiety; panic; fear; controlling stress; goal setting; relaxation
3. Pills and Alcohol
   • Drugs and alcohol; smoking; seeking help
4. Self Esteem
   • Self esteem; social support;
5. Managing Your Own Career
   • Career goals; career management
6. Security and Decision Making
   • Self assurance; decision making; problem solving
7. Relaxation and Nutrition
   • Relaxation; we are what we eat; nutrition, diet and weight loss
8. Personality and Stress
   • Type A and Type B personalities; personality types and stress; personal style inventory

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Identify changes that occur to the body as stress develops.
• Identify the relationship between lifestyle and stress.
• Discuss the impact of legal drugs on the psychology of a person.
• Discuss the importance of self esteem in minimizing stress.
• Determine options for career management that will minimize potential for stress.
• Identify and address security issues that impact on stress levels.
• Identify aspects of relaxation and nutrition in a person’s life that may impact upon stress levels.
• Identify the relationship between stress and personality type.

Why Study with Us

• International Recognition
• Highly qualified tutors
• Ethical and Green
• More choice and Flexibility
• Unlimited one on one access to tutors
• More focus on learning, less on Assessment
• Outstanding track record - graduates actually succeed!

Visit our Bookshop Sometime

Our bookshop offers a range of counseling and psychology courses which you may find useful. You can see our range of books at –

http://www.acsbookshop.com/books_productcategory.aspx?id=14

Not sure whether counseling is the right career for you or if you would like to know more. You can find out more about careers in psychology and counseling at - http://www.thecareersguide.com/articles.aspx?category=14

If you are interested in pursuing a career in counselling and psychology, you might find the courses below are also of interest -

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=359 Introduction to Psychology

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=509 Abnormal Psychology

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=662 Adolescent Psychology

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=472 Advanced Certificate in Psychology

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=480 Psychopharmacology (Drugs and Psychology)

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=367 Stress Management

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=366 Conflict Management

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=360 Psychology and Counselling

http://www.acsedu.com/Courses/product.aspx?id=475 Counselling Skills I