QUESTION

1.There are five life processes which “appear to have strong connections with stress. They are as follows: (1) change and our relationship to our ever-changing life; (2) overload, or expectations accelerating out of control as we attempt to keep up with the fast-moving people and events in our lives; (3) frustration, or our inability to gain satisfaction from the people, events, and institutions in our lives; (4) boredom and loneliness, the failure of our relationships; and (5) the relationship inter-dynamic itself.Which of these processes do you think causes the most stress in your life? Discuss that process, with personal examples, and identify any actions you might be reasonably able to take to help deal with the stress which arises from that process.

2.Some believe that change can be perceived as a normal process of living and can be an incentive for personal growth.Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not? If you agree, discuss how you have been able to use change for personal growth. If you disagree, that is you see change as more of a distress than an opportunity, reflect on and discuss whether you think there might be a possibility to change your view.

                                                         SAMPLE SOLUTION

Sometimes life seems to be moving so fast that keeping up with it becomes a never-ending race. There is an overload and expectations accelerate out of control in our attempt to keep up with the fast moving people and events in our lives. At such times, it feels like one is in a race he/she can never finish or win. Anger sets in followed by frustrations at people for not keeping up the pace and moving so fast respectively. For instance, it is expected that as an undergraduate, one is able to better manage one’s time and not only balance school work and social life, but also be good at it. However, in trying to balance the two the task can seem too much as one wants to have a satisfying social life and still excel in the exams, assignments, and meet deadlines. American Psychological Association (2013), building strong relationship can help reduce stress and even offer a fresh perspective on the stress and how to handle it.

Change can provide an opportunity to grow. For instance, we had a change of English teacher in High School. The teacher was generally liked but I was not able to perform well in English due to my poor attitude toward the teacher and the subject. When we had a different teacher, I took it as an opportunity to start afresh, to learn and excel in English by having a positive attitude. Since the teacher did not know my history, I took it as a challenge to create a new attitude. Maxwell (2012) says that for someone to experience personal growth, one has first to be self aware. You have to understand what is it that you wanted to change about yourself.