Concepts Learned in SWU 250

Through SWU 250 concept of stress management that emphasizes on identifying the stress factors, I have successfully managed to handle myself when I undergo stressful situations. When stressed, it is important to understand the primary cause of the stress and ensure that the cause is managed. If the stress factor cannot be handled at the moment, one can indulge in various activities that can help to get the mind off the cause of stress. An individual can also relieve the stress by participating in different activities such as exercising, cooking, or taking a road trip. A person can also talk about the situation with a friend or someone that they are close to. Talking is seen as the best form of therapy that an individual can use when they feel stressed. It helps the person to receive guidance and advice on how to handle the situation. If a person fails to handle stress effectively, it can result in stress related illnesses such as ulcers or depression. The concept has enabled me to practice communication with one of my close friends when I am stressed, and I have realized that this helps me to relax because she offers great insights on how I can handle different situations.

Time management concept that helps individuals to manage their time in a proper manner has also been of great help to me. Through the concept, I have learnt how to organize my time and prevent procrastinating activities. Time can be organized by having a diary where a person lists all the activities that they should perform. A person can organize the activities based on the most important activities and conclude with those are considered as not very important. One can also set a reminder that will always remind an individual about what they need to do.

From the rest and relaxation concept of SWU 250, I got to learn about the importance of taking time off from the daily activities that a person is exposed to and relax. Relaxation is not only good for the mind, but also for the body. It is easy for individuals to get carried away by their daily activities and forget to take a break. A person can relax by taking a holiday or requesting for days off from work.  Doing activities that a person enjoys can also help to rest and relax. Some of the activities that an individual can engage in are running, travelling, listening to music, exercising, swimming, or interacting with family and friends among others. Lack of rest can cause fatigue and ca person may lose contact with friends and family because work becomes their top priority.

The nutrition concept that I learnt from SWU 250, I learnt the importance of eating healthy meals and this lead me to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle. Good nutrition involves a person eating healthy meals such as fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and proteins. A person should also drink a lot of water to keep them hydrated. Good nutrition helps a person to have high energy levels, and this can significantly help a person to manage their weight. A good nutrition ensures that a person avoids eating foods that are considered as unhealthy and can lead to weight gain. Good nutrition also helps in the growth and development of an individual as it provides the body with the necessary minerals such as iron and calcium. The body develops a good immune system when a person practices good nutrition. When nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins are regularly consumed, they help to improve cellular functions, and this makes a person to more resistant to infections. Poor nutrition can lead to diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes among others. It can also cause a person to be overweight, acquire eating disorders, and also have high cholesterol in the body.

The final concept that has a huge impact on my life is effective communication. This concept helps individuals to improve their interaction with the people that they come into contact with in their daily lives. One of the ways that this skill can be enhanced is by learning how to listen to other people when they are speaking. Listening shows respect and also helps to understand what the person is saying. One should also learn to respond when a person is talking to them. The response should be meaningful. Effective communication involves getting rid of any form of disturbances. One of the distractions that affect communication nowadays is the phone. People tend to communicate with each other but are easily distracted when they receive a phone call. For effective communication, it is necessary to ensure that such forms of distractions are gotten rid off. If the person you are speaking to realizes that you are not communicating well because of the distractions, they may lose interest in listening and choose to engage in other activities. Before learning this concept, I was among the people that are mostly on their phone even when communicating with their friends and this concept has helped me to avoid this habit, especially when interacting with my family and friends.