Series of Psychology (Part 3: Stress Management – June 14 and June 15, 2022)
This third part begins with a discussion of the tasks given to participants regarding goal setting with Kuriake Kharismawan. Several participants shared about their goal setting in the next 10 years. Gabriel Amri Ganor (grantee form Flores University, Group A) shared that he will have a big travel agent in Labuan Bajo and have a lot of branches in East Nusa Tenggara. Elfirza Zain (grantee from Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Group B) told about her next ten years goal setting. She wanted to work as a manager in the established company. She wanted to have an open space house and an electric car. She wanted to have financial freedom and travel around the world. Facilitator emphasized that Gabriel and Elfirza already gave a good description of goal setting that was clear enough to be understood. Goal setting that has been written down can be drawn and pasted where we can see.
Furthermore, Kuriake shared about stress. Stress is a situation that often occurs and is experienced by everyone. For students, stress can come from college assignments, relationships and family. Stress that triggers enthusiasm is called eustress, where we can be motivated to achieve higher achievement. On the other hand, stress that exceeds our tolerance level is called distress. Intolerable stress can have an impact on our physical and psychological. One of the effects of stress on our bodies is the appearance of acne, canker sores, stomach acid, ulcers, backaches, headaches, hair loss and fatigue. Unfocused, easy to forget and lack of concentration are examples of the effects of psychological stress.
In the Q&A session, Adriana Peli Momo (grantee from Artha Wacana Christian University, Group A) asked the facilitator how to deal with nervousness. Facilitator shared some tips to handle this kind of situation. We can jump, tense and loosen our hand to be relax. Fitria Syahrani (Grantee from University of Sumatera Utara, Group B) shared about her stress experience due her activities in campus and organization. Sometimes we faced with the same dateline schedule so our effort is not optimal. Fitria asked facilitator how to overcome this kind of situation so she is not become a date-liner. Prioritizing activities and time management are 2 things that any students must learn to be able to manage their activities.
At the end of the session, Kuriake shared about one technique in stress management, called emotional freedom technique. Emotional freedom technique is a Chinese-style massage technique on our acupuncture points, especially on the palms of our hands. We tap one of the points on the palm of our hands (Chi) repeatedly while we suggest ourselves with the following words : Yes I’m anxious, yes I’m afraid, but I accept whatever will happen, I will fight my best. In addition, Kuriake also encourages participants to have friends to share about the problems they are experiencing and if they have exceeded their stress tolerance limit, they can contact professional helpers such as counsellor or psychologist.
