Module 6 Workbook Activity
Q1: Please provide a brief definition of stress, outlining both its positive and negative
aspects:
ANSWER: Write your answer here (approx. 100 words)
Stress can be defined as a response to an undesired event that evokes psychological
strain, tension or pressure. It follows a process that starts with a stressor triggering the
activation of chemical neuro-pathways, which in turn activates the hypothalamus in the brain.
After this, the pituitary glands are stimulated to secrete the hormone ACTH. ACTH
stimulates the adrenal glands to release two hormones-cortisol and epinephrine. Hormone
cortisol triggers elevations in blood sugar levels, while suppressing services alluded to as
‘non-essential.’ Hormone epinephrine elevates lung function and heart rate. It inhibits
digestion and guides blood to flow towards muscles and away from ‘non-essential’ organs,
such as the skin. These changes are responsible for key symptoms of stress, such as lethargy,
appetite loss, elevated heart rates and low energy among others (Daviu et al., 2019).
Q2: As a follow-up question, how does anxiety differ to stress?
Anxiety is a future-oriented state, commonly characterized by negative anticipation,
fear and distress about future happenings. It’s the tension, uneasiness or appreciation
stemming from the anticipation of danger, real or perceived. A key symptom of anxiety is the
experience of persistent, excessive worries that do not culminate even in the suppression or
absence of the identified stressor. The symptoms of anxiety sometimes overlap with that of
stress. These key symptoms include insomnia, increased heart rates, rapid breathing, sweating
and lethargy, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and irritability (Daviu et al.,
2019).
, COPE Inventory
Q1. What did the COPE Inventory tell you about your coping strategies?
(Consider as a starting point, what were your top 3 coping strategies? Were there any
similarities in your most used strategies? Are there strategies that you think you could use
better?)
My top 3 most strategies that I found myself using to help cope with stress included
humour-making, seeking emotional, social support and emotional venting. Humour-making
entails making fun of the situation. This strategy helps ease tension and uneasiness about an
issue, problem or a cause. Although it does not resolutely tame anxiety symptoms and is
subject to relapse, I have found this strategy effective in taming or suppressing the load of
anxiety burden. I also seek emotional support from people in my social circles, including
family and friends. I find sharing my feelings with confidants effective in managing anxiety. I
also use emotional venting, which entails letting out my feelings by talking to someone,
exercising, crying or writing down my issues in diary. These coping strategies have
similarities and are highly complementary. I believe I can build on these strategies and use
them better for more reliable outcomes.
Q2. Using your own example:
a) identify current coping strategy/ies you use
One of the strategies that I commonly use to cope with anxiety is listening to music. I
find slow music with a smooth rhythm soothing and comforting, and helps refocus my mind
away from my emotional jitters. I also use exercise as my coping technique. Whenever
battling emotional problems, I find exercise helpful in reducing vulnerability, rather than
sitting or lying idle. I often take a jog, engage in cycling or play football with friends, which
Q1: Please provide a brief definition of stress, outlining both its positive and negative
aspects:
ANSWER: Write your answer here (approx. 100 words)
Stress can be defined as a response to an undesired event that evokes psychological
strain, tension or pressure. It follows a process that starts with a stressor triggering the
activation of chemical neuro-pathways, which in turn activates the hypothalamus in the brain.
After this, the pituitary glands are stimulated to secrete the hormone ACTH. ACTH
stimulates the adrenal glands to release two hormones-cortisol and epinephrine. Hormone
cortisol triggers elevations in blood sugar levels, while suppressing services alluded to as
‘non-essential.’ Hormone epinephrine elevates lung function and heart rate. It inhibits
digestion and guides blood to flow towards muscles and away from ‘non-essential’ organs,
such as the skin. These changes are responsible for key symptoms of stress, such as lethargy,
appetite loss, elevated heart rates and low energy among others (Daviu et al., 2019).
Q2: As a follow-up question, how does anxiety differ to stress?
Anxiety is a future-oriented state, commonly characterized by negative anticipation,
fear and distress about future happenings. It’s the tension, uneasiness or appreciation
stemming from the anticipation of danger, real or perceived. A key symptom of anxiety is the
experience of persistent, excessive worries that do not culminate even in the suppression or
absence of the identified stressor. The symptoms of anxiety sometimes overlap with that of
stress. These key symptoms include insomnia, increased heart rates, rapid breathing, sweating
and lethargy, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and irritability (Daviu et al.,
2019).
, COPE Inventory
Q1. What did the COPE Inventory tell you about your coping strategies?
(Consider as a starting point, what were your top 3 coping strategies? Were there any
similarities in your most used strategies? Are there strategies that you think you could use
better?)
My top 3 most strategies that I found myself using to help cope with stress included
humour-making, seeking emotional, social support and emotional venting. Humour-making
entails making fun of the situation. This strategy helps ease tension and uneasiness about an
issue, problem or a cause. Although it does not resolutely tame anxiety symptoms and is
subject to relapse, I have found this strategy effective in taming or suppressing the load of
anxiety burden. I also seek emotional support from people in my social circles, including
family and friends. I find sharing my feelings with confidants effective in managing anxiety. I
also use emotional venting, which entails letting out my feelings by talking to someone,
exercising, crying or writing down my issues in diary. These coping strategies have
similarities and are highly complementary. I believe I can build on these strategies and use
them better for more reliable outcomes.
Q2. Using your own example:
a) identify current coping strategy/ies you use
One of the strategies that I commonly use to cope with anxiety is listening to music. I
find slow music with a smooth rhythm soothing and comforting, and helps refocus my mind
away from my emotional jitters. I also use exercise as my coping technique. Whenever
battling emotional problems, I find exercise helpful in reducing vulnerability, rather than
sitting or lying idle. I often take a jog, engage in cycling or play football with friends, which
