Learn how to manage stress by controlling your emotions

Nowadays it is easy to feel overwhelmed and to think that we cannot manage our daily tasks. Stressful situations can manifest themselves both in our professional and personal life and it can be difficult to avoid conflict when we find ourselves in a stressful environment. In this course the participants had the opportunity, through theory and practical activities, to learn about the tools to manage and overcome conflict and stressful situations. 

The new edition of the course “Stress and Conflict Management: the way to resilience and satisfaction” took place in Bologna from 04/05/2025 to 10/05/2025. This training gathered participants from across Europe and beyond: Peter Hadobas from Gymnazium sv. Tomasa Aquinskeho (Slovakia); Inga Pettersson, Mari-Louise Gabrielsson, Maria Granström, Jeanette Bodlund and Erica Nordsvahn from Utbildningsförvaltningen, Piteå kommun (Sweden); ISSE ALY Chaakir, BERTHOUMIEU Nadia, MOREL Patrice Daniel and BOYER Giovanni from François de Mahy Vocational High School (La Réunion, France); and Antonia Plerou and Kalliopi Kaffetzaki from the Directorate of Secondary Education of Chania (Greece).
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The training began on Monday with an introduction to the course and a discussion on the topic of stress. Participants explored various sources, symptoms, and effects of stress, including the fight or flight response, the general adaptation syndrome, and different categories of stressors. A key point of reflection was whether stress is always negative or if, in some cases, it can have a positive impact.

On Tuesday, the focus shifted to stress management strategies and techniques for coping with stressful situations. Through brainstorming and reflection, participants shared both good and bad practices. They learned to distinguish between cognitive and behavioural strategies, and examined the specific goals behind each approach.

Wednesday was dedicated to putting theory into practice. Participants analyzed a real-life case study and discussed which cognitive and behavioural strategies could be used to manage stress in the scenario. This was followed by a session on time management, which included a practical tool for planning and a teambuilding game. A final reflection encouraged participants to identify their personal time stealers.
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On Thursday, the group delved into social emotional learning, with a particular emphasis on empathy. Recognizing and understanding the feelings of others is crucial in both stress and conflict management. Later in the day, the participants were introduced to mindfulness through a body scan meditation, enhancing their awareness and emotional regulation.
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The final day of training, Friday, explored assertiveness and effective communication, essential components in managing interpersonal stress and conflict. Through a role-playing activity, the group explored different conflict management styles and practiced strategies to approach and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.

The training created a space for rich discussion, shared learning, and practical experiences, helping educators develop both personally and professionally. Thank you to all the participants for their enthusiasm and contributions—your presence made this course a truly enriching experience. We hope to see you again soon!
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Discover more about this course here.

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