Before the presentation, my understanding of stress and coping mechanisms was somewhat general. I knew stress was a natural response to pressure or challenging situations, and I believed that common coping strategies like deep breathing, exercise, or talking to someone could help. However, I didn’t fully grasp the complexity of how stress affects the mind and body, nor did I appreciate the wide variety of coping mechanisms people use—both healthy and unhealthy.
After the presentation, I learned the difference between the stress and stressor and the physiological responses to stress, and how prolonged stress can impact mental and physical health. The presentation also introduced me to different types of coping strategies—problem-focused and emotion-focused coping—and emphasized the importance of tailoring coping methods to the situation. I now better understand how self-awareness, time management, and support systems play critical roles in effectively managing stress. Overall, I feel more equipped to recognize stress in myself and others and to apply coping strategies in a more intentional and informed way.