Stress

Dealing Effectively with Stress

The strategy I use to cope with stress in my life is through cognitive effort; I use a combination of establishing optimism towards stressful events, enforcing self-confidence, and diminishing consequences in order to perceive a higher level of control. Being a student, multiple and consecutive sets of examinations or assignments are often stressors. Through optimism and self-confidence, I convince myself of a positive outcome and view stressors as a challenge rather than a threat, resulting in stressors becoming a source of motivation and efficiency, rather than a reason to worry. I may also question the need to feel stress, as usually the consequences are not as dire as when first evaluated. This method is usually effective, as “stress arises less from events themselves than from how we appraise them” (Myers, 2007, p. 550). Thus, this method may remove some stress completely.

My strategy is an example of emotion-focused coping. It increases a feeling of personal control, and thus reduces vulnerability to illness. A study by Rodin (1986) demonstrated that elderly nursing home residents decline and die sooner than those who feel they have more control in their lives. Being optimistic is also very beneficial in the long-term, as those with feelings identifiable with optimism live an average of 7 years longer despite similar lifestyles (Danner & others, 2001). A weakness of this strategy is that it often does not address stressors directly. In the example mentioned earlier, perhaps a problem-focused coping method would be more effective, such as planning ahead and scheduling time to study and work early, so a feeling of preparedness may negate stressors.

Having an optimistic outlook is a strategy I should continue to use, however, more effective strategies for managing stress may be used simultaneously, such as exercise. Along with having a positive effect on physical health, aerobic exercise reduces stress and depression. Many...