Coping
Stress is integral part of life. Every
living being faces innumerable challenges almost on daily basis which tends to
induce proportional stress level in the individual. The individual needs to
cope with these challenges in order to have a meaningful and quality life.
Coping means to invest own conscious effort, to solve personal and
interpersonal problems, in order to try to master, minimize or tolerate stress
and conflict (Wikipedia).
Coping is the process of managing
taxing circumstances, expending effort to solve personal and interpersonal
problems, and seeking to master, minimize, reduce or tolerate stress
(psychology.wiki.com). The coping from stress is achieved by employing certain
actions that people can take to master, tolerate, reduce, or minimize the
effect of stressors (Ciccarelli & Meyer, 2016). These actions are known as
coping strategies.
Coping Strategies
1. Problem focused coping – In this type of
coping strategy people try to eliminate or change the stressor itself to reduce
the impact of stressor through their actions (Folman & Lazarus, 1980). The
source of stress is removed. E.g., Loud music by neighbour – Talking can solve
the problem.
2. Emotion focused coping – It is a strategy
that involves changing the way a person feels or emotionally reacts to a
stressful event or situation. It reduces the emotional impact of the stressor.
When the person modifies the thinking process. People may alter the way they
think about a problem by altering their goals and values, such as by seeing the
humour in a situation (psychology.wikia.com). E.g., resorting to yogic asanas,
meditation etc. to deal with stressors.
3. Psychological defence mechanisms – These are the
unconscious distortions of a person’s perception of reality that reduces stress
and anxiety (Freud, 1915). Few defence mechanisms are:
(i) Denial,
(ii) Repression,
(iii) Rationalization,
(iv) Projection,
(v) Regression,
(vi) Displacement,
(vii) Reaction
formation,
(viii) Identification,
(ix) Compensation
(substitution), and
(x) Sublimation.
4. Yoga – Yoga and meditation reduces
the psycho-physical suffering by improving the vitality, flow of energy and
calming the mind. Yoga integrates three components: pranayama, asanas, and
dhyana. The yogic practice involves stretching the body and forming different
poses with relaxed and steady breathing. Yoga lifts the mood, improves sleep,
increases flexibility, controls the blood pressure, optimize the body organ
functioning, reduces muscle tension and anxiety, manages heart rate etc.
consequently reduces the stress.
References:
1. Ciccarellin, S. K & Meyer, G. E.
(2016). Psychology. Chennai: Person.
2. http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Coping_ behaviour.
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coping_
(psychology).
4. https://www.azquotes.com/author/13308-Hans_Selye.
*******
The content is very useful for our upcoming youth. I really enjoyed reading this blog. It was well explained and structured with perfection.
ReplyDelete“Keep Sharing”
Visit Us: Mental Health TV
Thanks Mental Health TV for your feedback
Delete