Conflict and Stress Management: the key of well-being

Why is it that we hear so often about stress and conflicts? What tools can we bring to better manage the stressful and conflicting situations we encounter throughout our lives?
 
We tried to give an answer to these questions during the new edition of the course “Stress and Conflict Management: the way to resilience and satisfaction​” which took place in Palermo from 27/08/2023 to 02/09/2023. The participants came from all across Europe, with Boglárka from István Széchenyi Bilingual Secondary School of Economics in Hungary, Aniko Budapest III. Kerületi Krúdy Gyula Angol-Magyar Két Tanítási Nyelvű Általános Iskola  in Hungary, Sandra, Danuta, Ewa and Katarzyna from Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno Wychowawczy dla Dzieci i Młodzieży Niepełnosprawnej in Poland, Anna, Daiga and Paula from Babites Secondary School in Latvia, Zoltan from Klebelsberg Kuno Általános Iskola és Gimnázium in Hungary, Pauliina from Sastamalan Opisto Sastamala Community College in Finland.

To begin with, we tried to give a definition to what is “stress” and what are the main causes and consequences of a stressful situation, investigating concepts such as "stressors" and the “Flight or Fight response”, reflecting also on the positive and negative aspects of stress (Eustress vs. Distress).

Simulations, role plays, and hands-on activities guided us in discovering cognitive and behavioral coping strategies, and in exchanging ideas and best practices to use at school to integrate these activities into the curriculum.

Next, we looked at how communication techniques are crucial when it comes to stress and conflict management. The communication style used, which can be assertive, aggressive, passive, or passive-aggressive, can have direct impacts on the development of situations and relationships with others, especially when we talk about setting out boundaries and saying “No”.

In addition, we investigated the importance of developing emotional intelligence in stress and conflict management, and in particular discussed the value of empathy in the relation with others.

We then addressed the concept of conflict, trying to reflect that conflict is not always negative, but is often a source of growth, change and rebirth. Without conflict it would be impossible to change some situations that we do not like or to affirm our ideas, values and opinions.
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Finally, we saw how mindfullnes can be a way to become more aware of what is happening to us and to welcome the present as it is: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf”, Jon Kabat-Zin. 

To conclude, we would like to share with you a comment of one of the teachers of the group, Pauliina:

“What great experience this has been. I'm absolutely sure I can be a better teacher and share my knowledge to my students and colleagues. Thank you!”

​Discover more about this course here.