No-Stress-Fest: Finals Edition

Objective: To create an inviting program during finals week that will enhance self-care for all
students while promoting Active Minds and Counseling and Psychological Services.
Background

Homeostasis is the state in which all the bodys systems work together to maintain a level of
balance (Kottler & Chen, 2008). These include the biological, neurological, and psychological
reactions to perceived threats in the environment. Indeed, the activation of this response has been
well documented starting with Walter Cannons famous fight-or-flight definition that was later
tested by Hans Seyle. Seyle identified three phases of stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
(Karr, 2012).

Resilience is the ability of an individual, organization, or community to cope with adversity and
challenge. It is accepted as one of the most important defenses against the negative consequences
of stress. In 2006, the American Psychological Association concluded that resilience is an
ordinary reaction to balance an organisms system and can be learned and developed (SAMHSA,
2012).

Implications

Published research on the benefits of study breaks is overwhelming. All night studying and
cramming have been more closely linked to fight-or-flight reactions than to effective reactions.
Although academic courses create chronic stress, resilience can be learned and executed from a
supportive community. The Destress-A-Fair is an attempt to combat the negative effects of
stress and capitalize on its benefits. The event will enforce all aspects of the creed by enforcing
integrity, scholarship, community, creativity, and excellence.


Events

Below is a list of the events which will be at the Destress-A-Fair. We have included a summary
of each event and its symbolism. As perception of stress is the definition of fight-or-flight, we
hope that these symbols will not only attract passive students but help engage them in ways to
combat their stress:

Stress Management and Study Tip Fliers The main goal of this event will be to help students
become more productive in their scholastic efforts. Although studying for eight hours straight
may feel like an accomplishment, research consistently shows that this is one of the worst ways
to study. The UCF Student Academic Resource Center will be utilized for distributing effective
material on stress management, time management, and effective studying. These handouts
(which can be located at http://sarc.sdes.ucf.edu/handouts) will provide information on the
importance of setting time aside for yourself, getting proper sleep, and how to use relaxation
therapy to create stronger neural networks. These are all areas that college students need to be
reminded about during finals week and our event will certainly draw their attention to these
materials.

Overcoming Obstacles (Obstacle Course)
University has historically been one of the most liberating experiences for individuals. While it is
truly a great time for many, it is also a time of adjustment and personal challenge. Its a time that
must be successfully navigated by critical thinking and finding ways around barriers. For this
reason, an inflatable obstacle course is the perfect symbolism for overcoming stress. The
obstacle course will be provided by Orlando Inflatables and is approximately 72 feet long. This
will likely be one of the more popular events.

Sink Your Sorrows (Dunk Tank)
Research has consistently linked stress, anxiety, and depression into a negative cluster. Although
all people are fundamentally good, we do take solace in slap-stick humor and laughing at
anothers expense. Thankfully, this can be done in a controlled and safe way through a dunk
tank. By allowing the carnival goers to envision that the person that they are dunking is their
boss, professor, or someone else that they associate with stress, they will be able to laugh at their
problems in a way that is constructive and positive.

Inkblot Balloons (Paint Balloons)
A hallmark of psychology is the Rorschach test, or more informally known as the ink blot test.
This theory highlights the artistic and scientific parallels of psychotherapy. These tests arent
taken seriously by many clinicians but are still used for entertainment and storytelling. Creative
expression is also a healthy form of expression and art therapy has been well established as
effective as antidepressants. In this program, students will have the opportunity to throw balloons
filled with paint tied to a string at a board. At the end of the day, the board will be a symbol of all
of the stress that students let out. Its interpretation will show how much stress we all go through
and that we are not alone in our struggles. This sense of community is perhaps one of the
strongest forms of resilience to stress.

Taking Off the Mask (Mask Making Booth)
Many students like to hide how stressed that they are and to pretend that tests required a lot less
studying than they actually did. This booth will help students create their own paper masks
which they can take home with them. Itll remind them to take off the mask and feel their
feelings. Acknowledging the problem is always the first step and this is true with stress as well.

A Trip to the Beach (Stress Balls)
Nothing is more relaxing than the beach with the clear sky, ocean waves, and warm sand. At this
booth, students will make stress balls out of balloons and sand. This will be another part of the
carnival that they can take home which will assist them in destressing. They can squeeze the
stress balls when they are feeling overwhelmed. The contracting of their hand muscles will send
signals in their brain that the stress is over, similar to deep breathing exercises.

Conclusion

Our event will help students during finals exam week by applying cognitive, behavioral, positive,
and psychodynamic perspectives. We will educate the students during events verbally and
through handouts so that they can learn more efficient ways to relax. It will also offer the
opportunity for them to express their anxieties and tension in ways that are constructive, safe,
and entertaining.

References
Kottler, J., Chen, D. 2008. Stress Management and Prevention: Applications to Daily Life.
California State University.
Karr, R. 2012. Effects of toxic stress. The Urban Child Institute. Retrieved from:
http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/perceptions/robin-karr-morse-discusses-the-
effects-of-toxic-stress
SAMHSA. 2012. What is resilience? RI Hope. Retrieved from:
http://www.rihope.ri.gov/documents/pdf/Reslience.pdf