Feeling stressed? This minor can teach you to manage it
Photo by Debabrata Hazra/Unsplash
Getting certified in stress management isn’t just for social work majors anymore.
An exceedingly popular series of courses in the subject, taught in more than 60 sections each semester, will be included this fall in a new minor available to all Arizona State University students.
Jamie Valderrama, a teaching professor in the School of Social Work, coordinates the school’s Integrative Health initiative, the umbrella over the existing stress management courses, and will supervise the new minor in stress management, mindfulness and resilience. A new undergraduate certificate in the same topic with the same course requirements is also launching this fall.
As more students took the classes, word started to travel throughout ASU, Valderrama said, leading to the high number of sections.
“It was like ‘Field of Dreams’: Open a section and it will fill,” she said.
Stress management is for everyone, Valderrama added, because everyone experiences stress.
The minor and certificate curriculum consists of 15 credit hours. Nine credit hours are dedicated to a core of stress management and health courses, while six are allocated to electives.
Students will acquire extensive knowledge of integrative health practices, Valderrama said. They will gain hands-on experience exploring the latest research, developing advanced skills and nurturing the practice of mindfulness — essential components for successful stress management and resilience.
“I had one student tell me that life isn’t meant to be this hard,” Valderrama said. “I said, yes, it is. It doesn’t matter what profession you’re going into. You need to self-regulate.”
The courses are data-driven, examining the physiology and psychology of stress as well as neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to rewire itself, she said.
Stress isn’t all bad, and from a certain perspective, it is good for you, Valderrama explained. People deal with stress using the tools they have, but "some people have really crummy tools. So, let’s add more tools to the toolbox."
“It’s better when you control stress, versus stress controlling you. That’s how you achieve balance in life,” Valderrama said. “You’re going to fail, and that’s OK. We’re meant to experience pain, but we’re not meant to suffer.”
School Director and Distinguished Professor of Social Policy Elizabeth Lightfoot said the popularity of the Integrated Health initiative’s undergraduate classes isn’t a surprise, given college is a stressful time for many.
“These evidence-based classes help students understand the mechanisms of stress and provide them with tools to respond to stress,” Lightfoot said. “We are happy to offer the minor and certificate for students who want to get a more comprehensive grounding in stress management, mindfulness and resilience. These credentials can help prepare students for success for any future career path.”
Learn more about the minor and certificate by visiting the ASU website, emailing social.work@asu.edu or calling 602-496-0800.
The School of Social Work is part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
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