Incorporating Evidence-Based Stress Reduction Practices in the Classroom
Presented by:
Sara Langford, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
This poster provides examples of evidence-based problem-focused and emotion-focused coping activities and resilience-building activities that can be incorporated in a variety of classes.
Keywords:
Stress Management, Strain Reduction, Building Resilience
Abstract:
This poster will share evidence-based activities used in the classroom to teach students how to deal with stress. The first activity helps students critically analyze their stress in an organized way that allows for a more detached analysis of the situation. The second activity provides an opportunity to practice biofeedback with a breathing exercise shown to help reduce the strain one experiences after exposure to a stressor. The third activity offers an opportunity to practice a positive mindset using principles from positive psychology and research on grit, which can be incorporated into a daily practice to build resilience.
Outcomes:
1. Critically analyze a personal stressor-strain sequence to gain personal insight.
2. Begin a positive psychology-based daily practice to build their resilience.
3. Try a technique for simple biofeedback to handle stressful situations.
Hear it from the author:
Transcript:
Stress in college students can result in decreased motivation and performance. In turn, this can result in lower persistence.
This presentation will review three evidence-based techniques to help students with stress management and build their resilience. You can implement these during class in a relatively short period of time.
The first activity helps students critically analyze their stress in an organized way that allows for new perspectives on the situation.
The second activity provides an opportunity to practice simple biofeedback with a breathing exercise shown to help reduce the strain one experiences after exposure to a stressor.
Finally, the third activity offers an opportunity to practice a positive mindset using principles from positive psychology and research on grit. These can be incorporated into a daily practice to build resilience.
References:
Carr, A., Cullen, K., Keeney, C., Canning, C., Mooney, O., Chinseallaigh, E., & O'Dowd, A. (2021). Effectiveness of positive psychology interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16(6), 749–769. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1818807
Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. Scribner
Griffin, M. A., & Clarke, S. (2011). Stress and well-being at work. In S. Zedeck (Ed.), APA handbook of industrial and organizational psychology, Vol. 3. Maintaining, expanding, and contracting the organization (pp. 359–397). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/12171-010
Kennedy, L., & Parker, S. H. (2019). Biofeedback as a stress management tool: A systematic review. Cognition, Technology & Work, 21(2), 161–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-018-0487-x