Workbook 2 submission_vuws Module 6 Workbook Activity Australia

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