CLP 1000 - Psychology of Personal Growth - An OER Repository for Instructors: Module 2, Stress Effects & Coping/Positive Psychology

Gives foundational info on defining stress, types of stress, physiological response, types of stressors, link between stress and illness, coping mechanisms, etc.

Explains how stress specifically impacts various systems of the body – musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Provides evidence-based tools to manage stress.

Approaches stress from a different lens (compared to typical textbook).

Measures the amount of stress you've experienced recently (indicates risk of illness due to stress).  This is a PDF document.

Covers what research says about clutter, stress, and anxiety; why we accumulate stuff and why it’s hard to let it go; and best way to approach decluttering your home.

Discusses how exercise improves memory and other cognitive benefits, importance of youth sports and downside of hypercompetition.

Discusses what causes road rage, why some people are more prone to stress behind the wheel than others, how personality affects driving, and impact of self-driving cars.

Why taking a break is important for physical/mental health, making the most of your vacation time, and differences in work/vacation culture around the world.

Since consistent quality sleep is an important factor in our ability to handle stress, including a mini topic lesson on Sleep may be beneficial. Info can be adapted from this textbook source.

Teaches behaviors to incorporate (and avoid) to promote better sleep for better health.

Explains what occurs during each stage of sleep and why it’s important to get enough of both.

How memory works, how stress drains the brain’s resources, and solutions to recharge.

Explains how food impacts brain chemistry, which impacts mood/behavior/stress

Explains how exercising reduces stress and promotes relaxation

Highlights stress from a sociological lens

Presents wellbeing through a systems lens: diet, exercise, sleep, mindfulness, social connection, self-care, setting goals, making changes, etc.

Good foundational content: types of happiness, causes of happiness, societal influences, value of adaptation, research-based outcomes of happiness, measuring happiness, etc.

Good supplemental content to above module that focuses on gratitude, forgiveness, and humility by presenting key research findings, assessment techniques, and interventions.

A collection of 29 focus chapters written by different authors from different perspectives (psychosocial, socio-cultural, and anthropological).

Discusses what personality traits help us flourish in tough times.