Exploring Stress, Illness, and Personal Health: Week 2 Reflections

Posted on | by Linus

Part A

There is no word count, just answer questions

Week 2: Stress and Illness/Disease and Stress and The College Student

This week we will be discussing chapters 3 and 4.

** Remember to complete the assignment, in addition to your post, you will need to respond to a minimum of two other people in our classroom community! **

Chapter 3

1) Watch the following video, “Stress Response: Savior to Killer”: https://youtu.be/sPS7GnromGoLinks to an external site.

(you may need to cut and paste this link into your browser).  What do you think of the video and Sapolsky’s work? How does this relate to your life?

If you are interested in the full documentary (I really recommend it!), you can view it here: https://youtu.be/eYG0ZuTv5rsLinks to an external site.

2) Though we know genetics plays an important role in the development of many diseases and illnesses, many individuals may not know the health histories of members of their own family.  For this assignment, complete the family health portrait found at https://cbiit.github.io/FHH/html/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

This tool will help you trace your family’s medical history and become better informed about health conditions that may affect your own health.  You may need to contact a family member to obtain accurate information. You may also consider sharing this information with other family members once completed.  What was this assignment like for you to complete?

3) Complete the lab assessment “Why did you get sick as a result of stress”?  What was the activity like for you?

Chapter 4

1) The chapter describes the stressors of “the younger college student” and the “older college student”.  Which one of these groups do you more identify with?  What stressors do you think are the same for both groups?  Which stressors do you think are different?

2) Are there any stressors that you experience as a college student that are not included in the chapter?

3) Complete the self lab assessments,: 1)  “Budgeting While in School” and 2) “How Intimate Are Your Friendships”.  Describe what it was like completing the assessments.

 

Part B

Chapter 5

1) Robert Epstein presents a model in the chapter that has has four trainable skill sets to use to manage stress.  Which of these skills do you do well?  Which of these skills do you need further development?  How do you know?  Be sure to give examples.

2) Describe a stressful situation that you believed you needed to show more control.  Contrast that with a situation where you now believe you should have expressed less control.  What differences do you notice?

3) Complete the lab assessment “what eustressors have you experienced?”.  What was that activity like for you?

Chapter 6

1) What foods do you consider “comfort food”, especially when you are stressed?  How did they become comfort foods in your life?

2) We live in an incredibly “noisy” world.  What noises contribute to your stress?

3) Complete the lab assessment “What hassles do you encounter?”  What was this activity like for you?

 

Part C Personal Narrative (Attached)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poOKicdpQUE&t=13s

 

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

This assignment is divided into three parts (A, B, and C) and asks you to reflect on stress, health, and personal experiences. Follow the steps below to organize your answers, complete lab assessments, and craft a personal narrative.

Part A – Stress, Illness, and the College Student (Chapters 3–4)

Step 1: Video Reflection

  1. Watch “Stress Response: Savior to Killer” and optionally the full documentary.

  2. Write a short reflection:

    • Your thoughts on Sapolsky’s work

    • How the content connects to your personal life or experiences

    • Example: How stress affects your sleep, focus, or physical health

Step 2: Family Health Portrait

  1. Access the tool: Family Health Portrait

  2. Collect health information from family members

  3. Reflect on the experience:

    • Was it difficult or easy to get accurate information?

    • Did you learn anything new about potential health risks in your family?

Step 3: Lab Assessment – “Why Did You Get Sick Because of Stress?”

  • Complete the lab and describe your experience:

    • How did the assessment help you understand the connection between stress and illness?

    • Did it reflect your own health patterns?

Step 4: College Student Stressors

  1. Identify whether you identify more with younger or older college students

  2. Compare stressors:

    • Which are common to both groups

    • Which are unique to your age or experience

  3. Reflect on any additional stressors you face as a college student

Step 5: Lab Assessments

  • Budgeting While in School: How did completing this activity affect your awareness of financial stress?

  • How Intimate Are Your Friendships: What did you learn about your social support and stress management?

Part B – Managing Stress (Chapters 5–6)

Step 1: Stress Management Skills

  1. Identify the four trainable skill sets from Epstein’s model.

  2. Reflect:

    • Which skills you do well (give examples)

    • Which skills you need to improve (give examples)

Step 2: Control in Stressful Situations

  • Describe one situation where you needed more control

  • Describe one situation where you now think you should have expressed less control

  • Compare and analyze the difference in outcomes or feelings

Step 3: Lab Assessment – Eustressors

  • Complete “What eustressors have you experienced?”

  • Reflect on the activity:

    • Did it help you identify positive stress experiences?

    • How do these experiences affect your motivation and performance?

Step 4: Comfort, Noise, and Hassles

  1. Comfort Foods: List foods you turn to when stressed and explain why

  2. Noises that Cause Stress: Identify environmental stressors (traffic, notifications, roommates, etc.)

  3. Lab – Hassles: Complete “What hassles do you encounter?” and reflect on what patterns you notice

Part C – Personal Narrative

  1. Watch the video: Personal Narrative

  2. Create your personal narrative:

    • Reflect on your stress experiences

    • Include insights from the lab assessments

    • Discuss how stress, illness, and coping strategies affect your personal and academic life

Step 6: Respond to Classmates

  • Post at least two thoughtful responses

  • Include 3–5 sentences addressing:

    • Similarities or differences in stress experiences

    • Observations about coping strategies

    • Questions or additional insights

Step 7: Tips for Writing Your Reflection

  • Use first-person perspective since this is personal

  • Be specific with examples from your life

  • Integrate concepts from Chapters 3–6

  • Proofread for grammar and clarity

Helpful Resources

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