We all often face stress in various situations. I especially felt the biggest stress in my life from the entrance exam for high school. And I suffered from chronic stomach aches due to pressure and tension. I will describe how I coped with that stressful circumstance based on this week's reading in this discussion forum.
Problem-focused coping includes attempting to take action to increase the resources available to manage it. (Ogden, 2019) I used this coping style by planning all schedules of study. I felt 'comprehending what should I finish until when' is useful to reduce some unfounded anxiety. I am using the same strategy to reduce my anxiety even now. On the other hand, emotion-focused coping includes managing the emotions evoked by the stressful event by talking to friends or family about a problem, drinking, eating, or taking the time for relaxation. (Ogden, 2019) I asked my friends and seniors for advice and help, and I regained my presence of mind thanks to them. But I was forced to realize only I can study or make an effort for myself through this means. Then I had also been tormented overeating, and it promoted my poor stomach condition. Additionally, I unconsciously watching YouTube videos such as cutty dogs and could not stop watching even I had been understood I had no time to watch those. These are negative ways of emotion-focused coping, and it surely led to temporary mitigation of stress, but it did not solve the fundamental problems.
According to Ogden, Approach is confronting the problem and gathering information or taking direct actions. Still, avoidance means minimizing the importance of the event, and he also insists that "approach coping is constantly more adaptive than avoidant coping"(Ogden, 2019, p.56). Applying to my case, I used the coping approach by making concrete plans for the exam preparation. Simultaneously, I spent much time doing unnecessary things, kept sleeping even though I was not sleepy, and avoided confronting the fact or real situations.
Therefore, I suggest 'recognizing the actual situation by analyzing it logically without escaping from reality as one of the coping skills. Escaping or avoiding is no more than temporary coping; it might lead to a bad result. And take time to sleep, exercise, relax, and so on appropriately. These are helpful to maintain a positive attitude to confront and get benefits from our stress.
In conclusion, escaping or avoiding is no more than temporary coping. Comprehending what I should finish until when is useful to reduce some unfounded anxiety. What is your idea for improving coping skills in those who are experiencing illness?
References
Ogden, J. (2019). The Psychology of Health and Illness: an open access course. Retrieved from http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/841757/1/__homes.surrey.ac.uk_home_.System_Desktop_The Psychology of Health and Illnessbk.pdf
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