Stress Management
Study Course Implementer
Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
To provide students with knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms of stress formation and management, to develop the ability to critically analyze scientific information and use evidence-based stress management techniques, and to promote the ability to independently assess stress risks and resources and develop an individual stress management plan.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge in general and developmental psychology
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Define the concept of stress and describe the types of stress and the manifestations of stress reactions.
Critical analysis and reflection on scientific research
2.Explain the mechanisms of burnout and technostress and their impact on human well-being.
Critical analysis and reflection on scientific research
3.Describe evidence-based stress management strategies and techniques.
Critical analysis and reflection on scientific research
Skills
1.Critically analyses scientific publications in the field of stress management and argues the importance and use of their findings.
Critical analysis and reflection on scientific research
2.Use and evaluate breathing/relaxation, cognitive and mindfulness techniques for stress management.
Developing an individual stress management plan
3.Develop an individual stress management plan, justifying the appropriateness of the chosen strategies and techniques to the identified needs.
Developing an individual stress management plan
Competences
1.Independently assesses individual stressors and stress risks and integrates appropriate support resources into an individual stress management plan.
Developing an individual stress management plan
2.Argues the choice of an individual stress management plan and reflects on its practical application.
Presentation of the individual stress management plan
3.Presents an individual stress management plan and answers questions about the chosen stress management strategies and techniques in a reasoned manner.
Presentation of the individual stress management plan
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Critical analysis and reflection on scientific research |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Critically evaluate and reflect on one scientific study in the field of stress management (published 2020–2026, in a peer-reviewed journal such as Scopus or Web of Science), covering its aim, methodology, results, and limitations, and reflect on the implications for practice, understanding of stress mechanisms, interventions, and productivity, concluding with justification of the article choice and its value to you and others. Written work, 1500–2000 words. Assessment criteria:
|
||
|
2.
Developing an individual stress management plan |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Plan structure: Situation description. Problem formulation. Scientific justification (based on recent empirical research). Stress reduction plan. Expected results and evaluation options. Reflection. The work will need to be submitted in writing Evaluation criteria:
|
||
|
3.
Presentation of the individual stress management plan |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Preparation and presentation of a presentation material in a group. Evaluation criteria:
|
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Active engagement and compliance with deadlines |
10.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Study Course Theme Plan
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The concept and types of stress. Stress as the body’s overall adaptive response.
Description
In the introduction of the lecture, we will look at the development of the concept of stress from the classical understanding to the present day. We will systematize the types of stress: positive stress; negative stress; insufficient stress. We will look at why a little stress can be healthy, but excessive stress causes problems. Questions of the lesson:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress stimuli or stressors. Types of stressors and influence factors.
Description
The lesson will analyze the body's specific responses to the situation caused by excessive negative stress. Discussed about stress coping methods and strategies. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in the work environment and burnout syndrome.
Description
The lecture will focus on workplace stress and psychosocial factors at work that cause tension and chronic stress in employees. We will analyze typical workplace stressors. Special attention will be paid to burnout syndrome. The definition and symptoms of burnout syndrome according to the latest international guidelines will be discussed. Topics of the lesson:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Burnout syndrome and human wellbeing.
Description
In the lesson, we will analyze the factors of burnout syndrome and its preventive measures. Lesson question:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in the academic environment (perspective of students and lecturers).
Description
In this lecture, we will analyze academic stress – the main stress factors for students and teaching staff. We will explore the most important stressors for students and the consequences of academic stress. Questions of the lesson:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in everyday life and living.
Description
This lecture focuses on sources of everyday (domestic) stress and their management. We will analyze the most common everyday stressors. The cumulative effect of "small" everyday stressors will be emphasized. The lecture will discuss stress management strategies for everyday life. Questions of the lecture:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress management strategies and mental resilience.
Description
In this lecture, we will theoretically discuss how people cope with stress and what determines a person's psychological resilience. We will get to know the classification of stress coping strategies. Questions of the lesson:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress management techniques and interventions.
Description
In this lesson, we will explore various scientifically-based methods used for stress reduction and management. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in today’s world – the new challenges and an integrated approach.
Description
In the final theoretical lecture We will look at the development trends and new challenges in stress management in society. We will discuss how the "nature" of stress has changed in the 21st century of digitization. We will analyze a new phenomenon "technostress" and its contributing consequences and impact on the body. Class questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress self-assessment and stress diary.
Description
The goal of the practical class is to help students become aware of their stress level and identify individual stressors. At the beginning of the class, students will fill out a stress self-assessment survey to quantify how much stress they have experienced in the last month. After that, students will be introduced to the "stress diary" method. Questions of the class:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Training in relaxation and respiratory techniques.
Description
The focus of this lesson is to learn relaxation techniques that reduce acute stress reactions. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cognitive techniques and problem-solving workshop.
Description
In this practical session, students will learn cognitive techniques for stress reduction – recognizing negative thoughts arising in stressful situations and transforming them into more constructive ones. Session questions:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Mindfulness techniques and stress resistance promotion.
Description
In this lecture, students will experience a practical introduction to the application of mindfulness techniques as a support for stress reduction. Lecture questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social support and communication training in stressful situations.
Description
This lesson is devoted to the possibilities of using social skills and support in stress regulation. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Lifestyle factors and creating a stress reduction plan.
Description
This lesson focuses on the role of healthy lifestyle in stress resilience and concludes with the development of an individual stress management plan for each student. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Lifestyle factors and presentation of a stress reduction plan.
Description
This will be a continuation of the previous lesson, in which each student will summarize all the methods and information learned in the course to create their own personalized stress management plan. This plan should include: my main stressors; early signs that I am stressed; my "action strategy" - which methods I will use to relieve acute stress; long-term prevention - what I will do on a regular basis. Students develop the plan in writing, which is considered a "work sheet" that the student takes with them into real life. The work must be presented in the lecture theatre. Lesson question:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The concept and types of stress. Stress as the body’s overall adaptive response.
Description
In the introduction of the lecture, we will look at the development of the concept of stress from the classical understanding to the present day. We will systematize the types of stress: positive stress; negative stress; insufficient stress. We will look at why a little stress can be healthy, but excessive stress causes problems. Questions of the lesson:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress stimuli or stressors. Types of stressors and influence factors.
Description
The lesson will analyze the body's specific responses to the situation caused by excessive negative stress. Discussed about stress coping methods and strategies. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in the work environment and burnout syndrome.
Description
The lecture will focus on workplace stress and psychosocial factors at work that cause tension and chronic stress in employees. We will analyze typical workplace stressors. Special attention will be paid to burnout syndrome. The definition and symptoms of burnout syndrome according to the latest international guidelines will be discussed. Topics of the lesson:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Burnout syndrome and human wellbeing.
Description
In the lesson, we will analyze the factors of burnout syndrome and its preventive measures. Lesson question:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in the academic environment (perspective of students and lecturers).
Description
In this lecture, we will analyze academic stress – the main stress factors for students and teaching staff. We will explore the most important stressors for students and the consequences of academic stress. Questions of the lesson:
Literature:
|
|
Stress management strategies and mental resilience.
Description
In this lecture, we will theoretically discuss how people cope with stress and what determines a person's psychological resilience. We will get to know the classification of stress coping strategies. Questions of the lesson:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in everyday life and living.
Description
This lecture focuses on sources of everyday (domestic) stress and their management. We will analyze the most common everyday stressors. The cumulative effect of "small" everyday stressors will be emphasized. The lecture will discuss stress management strategies for everyday life. Questions of the lecture:
Literature:
|
|
Stress management techniques and interventions.
Description
In this lesson, we will explore various scientifically-based methods used for stress reduction and management. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Stress in today’s world – the new challenges and an integrated approach.
Description
In the final theoretical lecture We will look at the development trends and new challenges in stress management in society. We will discuss how the "nature" of stress has changed in the 21st century of digitization. We will analyze a new phenomenon "technostress" and its contributing consequences and impact on the body. Class questions:
Literature:
|
|
Stress self-assessment and stress diary.
Description
The goal of the practical class is to help students become aware of their stress level and identify individual stressors. At the beginning of the class, students will fill out a stress self-assessment survey to quantify how much stress they have experienced in the last month. After that, students will be introduced to the "stress diary" method. Questions of the class:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Training in relaxation and respiratory techniques.
Description
The focus of this lesson is to learn relaxation techniques that reduce acute stress reactions. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
|
Cognitive techniques and problem-solving workshop.
Description
In this practical session, students will learn cognitive techniques for stress reduction – recognizing negative thoughts arising in stressful situations and transforming them into more constructive ones. Session questions:
Literature:
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Mindfulness techniques and stress resistance promotion.
Description
In this lecture, students will experience a practical introduction to the application of mindfulness techniques as a support for stress reduction. Lecture questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social support and communication training in stressful situations.
Description
This lesson is devoted to the possibilities of using social skills and support in stress regulation. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Lifestyle factors and creating a stress reduction plan.
Description
This lesson focuses on the role of healthy lifestyle in stress resilience and concludes with the development of an individual stress management plan for each student. Lesson questions:
Literature:
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Lifestyle factors and presentation of a stress reduction plan.
Description
This will be a continuation of the previous lesson, in which each student will summarize all the methods and information learned in the course to create their own personalized stress management plan. This plan should include: my main stressors; early signs that I am stressed; my "action strategy" - which methods I will use to relieve acute stress; long-term prevention - what I will do on a regular basis. Students develop the plan in writing, which is considered a "work sheet" that the student takes with them into real life. The work must be presented in the lecture theatre. Lesson question:
|
Bibliography
Required Reading
Ābeltiņa, M. (2023). Profesionālā izdegšana. Apgāds Zvaigzne ABC, 258
Zakriževska-Belogrudova, M. (2021). Stresa anatomija, R.:154
Additional Reading
Brata, W., Susanto, H., Zubaidah, S. (2025). Theoretical underpinnings and future research on academic stress in biological and educational perspectives. Review Article, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12 (146)
Borle, P., Reichel, K., Niebuhr, F., Voelter-Mahlknecht, S. (2021). How are techno-stressors associated with mental health and work outcomes? A systematic review of occupational exposure to information and communication technologies within the technostress model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16):8673.
Jannah, M., Widohardhono, R., Rachman, N., Sholichah, IF., Purnomo, RAA., Jaroah, S., Hidayah, R. (2025). Student Athletes: Does Emotional Regulation Affect Mental Toughness? International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 13(3), 571-576.
Li, Y., Zheng, P. (2025). Trait resilience protects against social anxiety in college students through emotion regulation and coping strategies. Scientific Reports, 15 (1).
Li, WW., Nannestad, J., Leow, T., Heward, C. (2024). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on depression, PTSD, and mindfulness among military veterans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Open
Litan, DE. (2025). The Impact of Technostress Generated by Artificial Intelligence on the Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Positive and Negative Affect. Behavioral Sciences, 15(4):552.
Lu, S., Wei, F., Li, G. (2021). The evolution of the concept of stress and the framework of the stress system. Cell Stress, 26;5(6):76–85.
Piao, X., Xie, J., Managi, S. (2024). Continuous worsening of population emotional stress globally: universality and variations. BMC Public Health, 24 (3576)
Shchaslyvyi, A., Antonenko, SV., Telegeev, G. (2024). Comprehensive Review of Chronic Stress Pathways and the Efficacy of Behavioral Stress Reduction Programs (BSRPs) in Managing Diseases. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8):1077.
Stokenberga I., Freimane G., Sudraba V. (2015). Veselība un slimība psiholoģijā. Monogrāfija Psiholoģija (2). Zvaigzne ABC, 171-244
Tavoian, D., Craighead, DH., (2023). Deep breathing exercise at work: Potential applications and impact. Frontiers in Physiology, 14:1040091.
Other Information Sources
Zinātniskās datu bāzes - ProQuest, EBSCO host, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed