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Mix and Match Project

For this project you will need to identify two different stressors that will certainly occur 5x each between now and when you complete the project. Ideally, one stressor should be physical and one psychological. However, if need be, you can use two different psychological stressors. Do NOT use two physical stressors. Be prepared. You will be asked to describe each stressor in detail, including your typical reaction to it (i.e. your reactions before you started this project). If you are not 100% sure whether your stressors are psychological or physical – ask me! Otherwise, your grade could become a big stressor!

Empty hammock between palm trees on tropical beach.jpg

For each stressor, you will need to come up with some sort of scale  (e.g. 1-10 where 1 is no detectable stress and 10 is most extreme stress possible) or other empirical way of measuring it (e.g. heart rate). Whichever empirical technique you decide upon, you must use it for both stressors and for each time they occur.
 

Next, decide on a model of stress management you will use. Your options are,

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  1. The 5 R’s   Rethink, Relax, Release, Reduce, and Reorganize  

  2. The 5 A’s    Avoid, Alter, Accept, Adapt, and Assert

 

To help you decide, do a little research. To get you started, check out these two websites:
 

              The 5 R’s          The 5 A’s
 

Once you have understood what each model says about stressors and stress management, decide on which model to use. Start applying the techniques, one at a time, on each stressor as they occur. Essentially, you will have 10 “experiences” as illustrated below.​​​​

10 experiences table.jpg

Note that you do not need to follow any particular order. What is important is that you have all 10 unique experiences. For each of the 10, you will need to keep detailed notes on the following.
 

  1. Which technique (i.e. which R or which A) did you try

  2. Describe in detail – how that particular R or A was used in this experience (i.e. what procedure did you follow?)

  3. In your opinion, how well did the technique work and why

  4. Based on the empirical measure you chose, how well did the technique work and back this up with some numbers

 

After all 10 experiences are completed, look back over the notes you took. Which technique are you most likely to use in the future for each of the two stressors you used for this game?  Justify your answer.

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Next, think about 5 other stressors in your life. Then create a table listing those 5 stressors. Beside each, identify which R or A might help you cope, and the details of how you would implement the R or A. Warning. Do not use the same technique more than once. You need to link up each stressor with a different R or A.

 

Final Reflection: What did you think about the value of this project? For example, what if anything did you learn about yourself? Are there other ways you might apply what you learned to other areas of your life and/or to help others? Was it a complete waste of time – if so why and what would have made it useful? Etc, etc, etc

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