Stress, Self-Care and Mindfulness

• • Introduction
  • Stress and Coping
  • Wellbeing and Happiness
  • Lifestyle
  • Positive Psychology
  • Mindfulness
  • Aesthetics and Creativity

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

No special requirements

In this online subject you will learn about a range of contemporary approaches to stress management which can be applied by individuals. As a foundation, you will learn about: the concept of stress as it is understood within the biopsychosocial model of health; the impacts of stress on the brain and body; and how stress affects people’s general health and wellbeing. Then you will explore the theory and practice of stress management approaches within a self-care content. Approaches include mindfulness and meditation, positive psychology (e.g., gratitude, flow), biobehavioural approaches (e.g., exercise, nutrition, sleep), and creativity. You will also investigate the role of technology on both sides of the stress equation (technology as a stressor and as a coping/self-care tool). Finally, you will consider what motivates people and the meanings people ascribe to their lives, and how these relate to psychological wellbeing.

Throughout the subject, there is a focus on learning to adopt healthy thoughts and behaviours as part of a self-care approach and employing the scientist-practitioner model to critically evaluate claims made about stress management. In each weekly online module, content is presented via text, images, videos, and audio recordings. Readings will focus on research findings which provide an evidence base for the approaches discussed in the subject. In practical activities, you will apply the stress management techniques discussed in the subject content, and reflect on your experience.

• Weekly Reflective Discussion Posts (30%%)
• Weekly Quizzes (20%%)
• Self-Care Presentation (45%%)
• On-Going Discussion Posts (5%%)