One page (Getting enough rest and sleep)

Project Paper #2 (30 points)

Instructions: For this project, you will choose one of the evidence-based stress management techniques

from the textbook or from those we discussed in class. You should choose one that you think could be

particularly useful to you – but it should be something different than what you may already do. (For

example, if you work out regularly, try out something different other than working out to find out whether

it may also be helpful to you.)

Next, you will read a peer-reviewed article about your topic. You may read either one of the peer-

reviewed, empirical studies posted on Canvas or research an empirical study of your choice from the

peer-reviewed journal, Health Psychology.

Next, you will apply the evidence-based stress management approach for an entire week. You should

keep a daily journal (log) to make observations of the impact of the stress management practice on you.

Specifically, you should track: (1) daily mood (scale of 1 to 5), (2) daily stress level (scale of 1 to 5), (3)

daily heart rate (measured at same time at the end of each day), and (4) any other measures that you think

are important. You should report this log (in table format) in your paper and explain why you used the

measures that you did.

After applying the practice for one week and making observations, write a one-page paper analyzing the

following:

1) Discuss and explain the research on the approach that you took. (For instance, explain what the scientific research says about aerobic exercise and its impact on stress management.) Be sure to

cite the peer-reviewed article that you read on a Reference page at the end of the paper, using

APA-style format.

2) Next, explain why you chose this particular approach. (Explain your reasoning – low on the ladder - about why you thought this approach would be particularly useful for you personally.)

3) Then, explain what you specifically did each day to put the approach into practice. What did you do to ensure that you stuck with the practice daily? What were the obstacles that you faced?

How did you overcome them? What motivational tools did you use?

4) Present the table with the daily log of observations and measures that you used. Explain why you used those particular measures (i.e. heart rate/pulse, mood, etc.)

5) Explain the effect that the practice had on you personally for one week. Did you feel less stressed? Healthier? Frustrated? Irritated? Something else?

6) Lastly, discuss what might be a more rigorous scientific test of the approaches’ impact on your ability to manage stress (and ultimately on your health). In answering this question, discuss the

research strategies in psychological science in chapter 2 that are considered a rigorous test of a

hypothesis.

PSYC 101, General Psychology

Project #2: Evidence-Based Stress Management

SPRING 2020