Understand how to cope with stress by managing your emotions effectively

In today's world, it's common to feel overwhelmed and doubt our ability to handle daily tasks. Stressful situations can arise in both our professional and personal lives, making it challenging to navigate conflicts in high-pressure environments. In this course, participants had the chance to explore both theoretical concepts and practical activities designed to equip them with tools for managing and overcoming conflict and stress.
The latest edition of the course “Stress and Conflict Management: The Path to Resilience and Satisfaction” was held in Tenerife from 17/11/2024 to 23/11/2024. Participants came from various countries across Europe, including Sabrina and Andrea from GMS Diespeck in Germany, Josefin and Manuela from Sportgymnasium Dresden in Germany, Maureen and Thurid from Christian-Gymnasium Hermannsburg in Germany, and Matthias from Deutsche Schule Sofia in Bulgaria.

On the first day, participants engaged in group brainstorming to discuss the concept of stress. They identified that stress can stem from various stressors, such as physical, environmental, familial, and work-related factors. Interestingly, a manageable amount of stress can have positive effects, motivating us to achieve our goals or meet deadlines. Consequently, participants learned to differentiate between Distress (negative stress) and Eustress (positive stress).
During the course, participants explored a range of cognitive and behavioral strategies aimed at managing stress in the workplace. Another important topic discussed during the course was empathy, an essential skill for managing conflicts. It can sometimes be difficult to express empathy, especially when we haven’t shared similar experiences with the person we’re engaging with. Nevertheless, empathy is a skill that can be developed, and participants learned how to distinguish it from other types of responses.

The last topic discussed was mindfulness, defined as the practice of being fully present and observing thoughts and experiences without judgment. Mindfulness enhances attention, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction is widely recognized for managing stress and mental health. Participants practiced mindfulness exercises and meditation, which helped them increase their awareness of their senses, thoughts, and emotions, fostering a greater sense of presence and mindfulness.
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Discover more about this course here.