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Less Stress, Better Health

Stress is a natural part of the human experience. However, stress can also be damaging to people’s physical and psychological health. This course provides an introduction to stress in general and then explores the psychological, physiological, and social consequences of stress. It ends with information on how you can combat the negative effects of stress and build resilience so you can not just survive stress, but also use it to help you grow.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Learn With PsycLearn Essentials

This module introduces you to your PsycLearn Essentials course. Find out what’s included in this course and how to navigate the modules and lessons. You’ll also learn valuable study tips for successful learning.

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Explores the physiological and psychological impacts of stress on the body and mind, helping learners understand its consequences and develop strategies for stress management

Provides practical techniques and strategies for coping with stress and building resilience, empowering learners to manage stress effectively

Covers the social consequences of stress on relationships and overall well-being, highlighting its far-reaching effects

Taught by Kyle Smith, who is experienced in the field of stress management and provides a well-rounded perspective

Requires learners to come in with some basic understanding of stress, which may not be suitable for complete beginners

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Reviews summary

Practical strategies for stress and resilience

According to students, 'Less Stress, Better Health' is a highly practical and insightful course, offering actionable strategies for managing daily pressures and building resilience. Learners frequently commend its clear explanations of complex psychological and physiological stress responses. The well-structured modules are praised for making content accessible and easy to follow. While many find it transformative and a must-take for beginners, some advanced learners or those with prior psychology background might find the content a bit basic, wishing for more interactive exercises or deeper dives into specific topics. Overall, it's a valuable foundation for improving mental well-being.

The course is logically organized and easy to navigate.

"A good foundational course... the overall structure was easy to follow."

"I especially liked how the modules were structured to build knowledge progressively."

"Very clear and well-organized. The modules are well-organized and and the information is reliable."

Complex physiological and psychological concepts are well-explained.

"The modules on physiological consequences of stress were eye-opening... presented clearly."

"The content on understanding stress from both physiological and psychological angles was very well explained."

"The psychological and physiological aspects of stress were explained in a way that was easy to grasp."

Provides practical, scientifically-validated techniques for coping.

"This course was incredibly insightful and practical. The coping strategies provided are truly actionable."

"I found the coping mechanisms module particularly useful; it offered specific, actionable techniques."

"The strategies for coping and building resilience are easy to understand and apply. It's truly helped me reduce my stress levels."

Some learners wished for more practical exercises or case studies.

"I wished there were more real-world case studies or guided exercises beyond the quizzes."

"I was expecting more practical, hands-on exercises or guided meditations. It felt more like a lecture series."

"While the APA backing means the info is sound, it lacked engagement for me. Not really what I needed for practical stress relief."

Excellent for beginners, but may be basic for advanced learners.

"If you have some background in psychology or self-help, you might find this course less engaging. It's a good introduction, but not groundbreaking."

"It's an okay course... quite basic. If you've read a few popular science books on stress, you might not find much new here."

"Overall, a valuable course for beginners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Less Stress, Better Health with these activities:

Review your prior learning about stress and coping mechanisms

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Refreshing your knowledge will help you to understand the course material more easily.

Browse courses on Stress

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Read through your old notes or textbooks.
Take practice quizzes or tests.
Review the key concepts of stress and coping.

Read a book on stress management

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This will provide you with in-depth knowledge and strategies for managing stress.

View Beyond the Relaxation Response: The Stress... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Summarize the key concepts of the book.
Apply the strategies in the book to your own life.

Attend a workshop on stress management

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This will provide you with the opportunity to learn from experts and to practice new skills.

Browse courses on Stress Management

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Search for workshops on stress management.
Register for a workshop.
Attend the workshop.

Five other activities

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Join a study group or online forum to discuss stress and coping strategies

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This will give you the opportunity to learn from others and to share your own experiences.

Browse courses on Stress Management

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Search for study groups or online forums related to stress management and coping skills.
Join a study group or online forum.
Participate in discussions.

Follow guided tutorials on relaxation techniques

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Learning relaxation techniques can be a valuable part of your stress management toolkit.

Browse courses on Relaxation Techniques

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Search for guided tutorials on relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing.
Follow the instructions in the tutorials.
Practice the techniques regularly.

Practice identifying and challenging negative thoughts

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This will strengthen your ability to manage your stress and emotions.

Browse courses on Negative Thoughts

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Identify negative thoughts.
Challenge negative thoughts.
Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Create a journal or blog to track your progress and reflect on your experiences

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This will help you to monitor your progress and to identify areas where you can improve.

Browse courses on Journaling

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Choose a journal or blogging platform.
Set up your journal or blog.
Write regularly about your experiences with stress and coping.
Reflect on your progress and identify areas where you can improve.

Volunteer with an organization that provides stress management services

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This will provide you with hands-on experience and help you to develop your skills.

Browse courses on Volunteering

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Search for organizations that provide stress management services.
Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Complete any necessary training or orientation.

Career center

Learners who complete Less Stress, Better Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Stress Management Counselor

Stress management counselors help people manage stress and improve their overall health and well-being. This course may be particularly helpful to stress management counselors as it provides a comprehensive overview of stress, its effects on the mind and body, and strategies for managing stress effectively. By taking this course, stress management counselors can enhance their skills in helping their clients reduce stress and improve their quality of life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Stress Management Counselor

Psychologist

Psychologists provide counseling and therapy to individuals and families facing mental health challenges. This course may be helpful to psychologists as it provides an understanding of the psychological and social consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact mental health and well-being, psychologists can better support their clients in managing stress and coping with its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist

Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counselors provide counseling and therapy to individuals and families facing mental health challenges. This course may be helpful to mental health counselors as it provides an understanding of the psychological and social consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact mental health and well-being, mental health counselors can better support their clients in managing stress and coping with its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to improve their ability to perform everyday activities. This course may be helpful to occupational therapists as it provides an understanding of the psychological and social consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact mental health and well-being, occupational therapists can better support their clients in managing stress and coping with its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapist

Counselor

Counselors provide guidance and support to individuals and families facing a variety of challenges. This course may be helpful to counselors as it provides an understanding of the psychological and social consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact mental health and well-being, counselors can better support their clients in managing stress and coping with its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Health Educator

Health educators promote health and wellness in communities and organizations. This course may be helpful to health educators as it provides an understanding of the psychological and social consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact health and well-being, health educators can better develop and deliver programs that help people manage stress and improve their overall health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Social Worker

Social workers help people with social and emotional problems. This course may be helpful to social workers as it provides an understanding of the psychological and social consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact mental health and well-being, social workers can better support their clients in managing stress and coping with its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients across a wide range of settings. This course may be helpful to nurses as it provides an understanding of the physiological and psychological consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact health and well-being, nurses can better care for their patients who are experiencing stress-related health problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants provide medical care to patients under the supervision of a physician. This course may be helpful to physician assistants as it provides an understanding of the physiological and psychological consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact health and well-being, physician assistants can better care for their patients who are experiencing stress-related health problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant

Doctor

Doctors provide medical care to patients across a wide range of specialties. This course may be helpful to doctors as it provides an understanding of the physiological and psychological consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact health and well-being, doctors can better care for their patients who are experiencing stress-related health problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Doctor

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses provide care to patients across a wide range of settings. This course may be helpful to registered nurses as it provides an understanding of the physiological and psychological consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact health and well-being, registered nurses can better care for their patients who are experiencing stress-related health problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Registered Nurse

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help people with injuries or disabilities to improve their mobility and function. This course may be helpful to physical therapists as it provides an understanding of the physiological and psychological consequences of stress. By understanding how stress can impact the body and movement, physical therapists can better support their clients in recovering from injuries and managing chronic pain.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physical Therapist

Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide advice on their use. This course may be helpful to pharmacists as it provides an understanding of the physiological effects of stress on the body. By understanding how stress can impact metabolism and drug interactions, pharmacists can better support their patients in taking their medications safely and effectively.

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Dietitian

Dietitians help people make healthy food choices and manage their weight. This course may be helpful to dietitians as it provides an understanding of the physiological effects of stress on the body. By understanding how stress can impact metabolism and eating habits, dietitians can better support their clients in making healthy choices and managing their weight.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dietitian

Cardiologist

Cardiologists diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels. This course may be helpful to cardiologists as it provides an understanding of the physiological effects of stress on the cardiovascular system. By understanding how stress can impact the heart and blood vessels, cardiologists can better care for their patients who are experiencing stress-related cardiovascular problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cardiologist

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Less Stress, Better Health.

The Joy of Movement

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Challenges the conventional wisdom that stress is always harmful. McGonigal argues that stress can actually be beneficial, and she offers practical tips for managing stress in a healthy way.

Less Stress, Better Health

What's inside

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical strategies for stress and resilience

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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