Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Somatic well-being and recovery
Course Code
LSPA_636
Branch of Science
Health sciences
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Dentistry; Health Management; Law; Medicine; Nursing Science; Pedagogy; Social Welfare and Social Work
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Karīna Irita Jenaki
Structure Unit Manager
Uģis Ciematnieks
Structural Unit
Department of Sports Theory
Contacts
karinairita.jenaki@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To provide knowledge of the impact of daily stress on bodily wellbeing; to develop an understanding of habit formation and maintenance. To understand and be able to apply a variety of somatic recovery and stress-release techniques.
Preliminary Knowledge
Not required
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Explains how daily stress affects somatic well-being.
Individual work and tests
Assessment of body well-being
2.Describe the mechanisms for developing habits and maintaining them.
Individual work and tests
Situation analysis
3.Defines various somatic recovery and stress-release techniques.
Individual work and tests
Situation analysis
Skills
1.Analyses signs of somatic tension.
Individual work and tests
Assessment of body well-being
2.Uses theories of habit formation and maintenance to induce behavior change.
Individual work and tests
Situation analysis
3.Selects and applies appropriate somatic recovery and stress-release methods according to the situation.
Individual work and tests
Situation analysis
Competences
1.Understands how to integrate somatic recovery and stress-reduction techniques in one's daily well-being practice.
Individual work and tests
Situation analysis
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Assessment of body well-being |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students observe and compare indicators of their somatic well-being through a mindfulness exercise conducted in three different contexts: a social setting, following a stressful event, and in a calm environment. Using either body mapping or a structured sensations table, students develop somatic literacy by accurately describing bodily sensations and analyzing their similarities and differences across contexts. The assignment concludes with an integrative analysis that enables students to draw conclusions about their current somatic well-being. Grading criteria:
|
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Situation analysis |
60.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Written assignment – Based on the given situation, the student identifies signs of somatic tension, applies suitable somatic recovery techniques, and provides suggestions for new habit formation and long-term maintenance. Grading criteria:
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||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The concept of stress and its types. Formation mechanism. The stress cycle.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
From Stress to Stress Response: Individual Differences
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The concept of stress and its types. Formation mechanism. The stress cycle.
|
|
From Stress to Stress Response: Individual Differences
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatics and the nervous system: How internal and external stressors affect the body's well-being.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatics and the nervous system: How internal and external stressors affect the body's well-being.
|
|
Practical: assessment of body wellness
|
-
Unaided Work
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Practical: assessment of body wellness
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Basics of Habits: Formation Mechanisms
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Basics of Habits: Formation Mechanisms
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Breaking (bad) Habits
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Breaking (bad) Habits
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Practical: developing a new habit
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Analysis of the situation and application of appropriate somatic methods.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The concept of stress and its types. Formation mechanism. The stress cycle.
|
|
From Stress to Stress Response: Individual Differences
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatics and the nervous system: How internal and external stressors affect the body's well-being.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
From Stress to Stress Response: Individual Differences
|
|
Somatics and the nervous system: How internal and external stressors affect the body's well-being.
|
-
Unaided Work
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Practical: assessment of body wellness
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Basics of Habits: Formation Mechanisms
|
|
Breaking (bad) Habits
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Practical: developing a new habit
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Somatic recovery and stress-release techniques
|
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Analysis of the situation and application of appropriate somatic methods.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Harrington, R. (2012). Stress, health & well-being : thriving in the 21st century. In Medical Entomology and Zoology. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
2.
LaDyne, R. (2020). The Mind-Body Stress reset: Somatic Practices to Reduce Overwhelm and Increase Well-Being.Suitable for English stream
3.
Verplanken. (2018). The Psychology of Habit: Theory, mechanisms, change, and contexts.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Maté, G., MD. (2019). When the body says no: The Cost of Hidden Stress. National Geographic Books.Suitable for English stream
2.
Sapolsky, R. M. (1994). Why zebras don’t get ulcers. In Medical Entomology and Zoology.Suitable for English stream
3.
Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones.Suitable for English stream
4.
Grolnick, W. S., Heddy, B. C., & Worrell, F. C. (2024). Motivation myth busters: Science-based strategies to boost motivation in yourself and others. In American Psychological Association eBooks.Suitable for English stream
5.
Caldwell, C. (2018). Bodyfulness: somatic practices for presence, empowerment, and waking up in this life.Suitable for English stream
6.
Pelka, M., Kölling, S., Ferrauti, A., Meyer, T., Pfeiffer, M., & Kellmann, M. (2016). Acute effects of psychological relaxation techniques between two physical tasks. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(3), 216–223.Suitable for English stream