Stress has been found to impair the immune system, which explains why we are more prone to infection (including colds and flu)
when we are stressed. Stress is also associated with mental-health problems and, in particular, anxiety and depression. Here the
relationship is fairly clear: the negative thinking that is associated with stress also contributes to these.
Remember that our main definition of stress is that stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands
exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilise.
From our definition, you can see that there are three major approaches we can use to manage stress:
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Action-oriented: In which we seek to confront the problem causing the stress, often changing the environment or the situation.
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Emotionally-oriented: In which we do not have the power to change the situation, but we can manage stress by changing our
interpretation of the situation and the way we feel about it.
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Acceptance-oriented: Where something has happened over which we have no power and no emotional control, and where
our focus is on surviving the stress.
Discuss the groups' personal stressors, and their coping mechanisms
When stressed, one should first find out what causes the stress.
Relax to help you to think clearly.
Think of ways to deal with the stressor by using problem-solving skills.
How can you take special care of yourself every day to prevent too much stress?
Relaxation exercise:
1.
2.
Help participants to sit comfortably and to relax.
Breathe in and out several times and become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of
your body as you breathe. Feel how you can relax when breathing deeply.
3.
Ask participants to stretch specific muscles and then to relax them by starting at the feet and going through muscle groups
of the body. Help them to relax in this way.
4.
Watch every thought come and go, whether it is a worry, fear, anxiety or hope. When thoughts come up in your mind, don't
ignore or suppress them, but simply note them, remain calm and let them go.
5.
People have a happy place where they feel good about themselves and feel happy. Go to your happy place and feel how calm
you are. You feel completely happy. Breathe in and out and note how you feel.
6.
Let the participants relax for a while by closing their eyes. After a few minutes you can ask them to become aware of what is
happening around them. They can sit quietly until they feel ready to open their eyes.
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Once the exercise is completed, ask the group how they feel.
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Ask the group what happened to them?
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Ask the group where they went to relax?
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Ask the group if they think they would be able to use this exercise or another type of relaxation exercise at home.
ASSESSMENT
Reflect in the group: What have you learnt from this conversation?
APPLICATION IN PRACTICE
Identify a situation/challenge that you would like to cope with more effectively. Set yourself a goal for the week. When you start using
these coping skills, you may find it helpful to keep a diary. Later you can look at what worked in what situations, and why. They could
include the following:
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Warning signs you notice
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How you feel before you use the coping skill (thoughts, feelings, urge, etc.)
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Why you think you feel the way you do?
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What coping skill(s) you have tried?
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How you feel afterwards
HIV
Inter vention Programme for the ENHANCEMENT OF CHILDREN'S RESILIENCE
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