Learn how to manage stress by controlling your emotions in Palermo

The new edition of the course “Stress and Conflict Management: the way to resilience and satisfaction​” took place in Palermo from 02/11/2025 to 08/11/2025. The participants came from all across Europe, with Lieve from Belgium, from Sint-Aloysiuscollege Menen school, and Wim and Bert from Belgium as well from KSDiest, Esmira and Anna from Haganässkolan Vuxenutbildningen in Sweden, Matea and Suzana from Osnovna škola Šestine in Croatia. As well as Jadranka and Đurđica from Croatia from the school Agencija za odgoj i obrazovanje, and Hristina from Germany from the Education center Nuernberg.
În prima zi, participanții au reflectat asupra semnificației cuvântului stres by brainstorming in groups. Stress is caused by a series of factori de stres that can be related to many factors: physical, environmental, family-related or work-related. However, small amounts of stress can also have positive outcomes and push us to achieve our goals or to respect a deadline for example. For this reason the participants learnt to distinguish between Situație de urgență (negative) and Eustres (positive).
During this course the participants learnt about a series of strategies, both cognitive and behavioural, designed to overcome stressful situations in the workplace. Through group activities they had the opportunity to increase their planning și gestionarea timpului skills. In order to manage stressful situations better they practiced exerciții de respirație, muscle relaxation și visualisation. They learnt about how to cope with stress in the classroom by a growth mindset and time management.
Another topic that was discussed during the course was empatie, which is a fundamental skill when it comes to dealing with conflicts. It can be tricky sometimes to show an empathic response, especially when we haven’t experienced the same feeling as the person in front of us. However, it is possible to practice it and the participants learnt how to distinguish it from other types of responses. The participants also learnt about emotional intelligence and how to put it into practice.
In order to solve conflicts it is necessary to know how to communicate effectively and be assertive. The participants discovered the different communication styles and were asked to do a group activity in which each member had to contribute in resolving a conflict. Although it can be difficult to solve a conflict, as this activity demonstrated, the team members saw how this situation could also be an opportunity to grow and learn. This method can also be applied to a workplace and a classroom.
Ultimul subiect care a fost abordat a fost mindfulness and conflict management, adică practica de a fi pe deplin prezent și de a observa gândurile și experiențele fără a le judeca. Aceasta îmbunătățește atenția, conștiința de sine și controlul emoțional. Reducerea stresului bazată pe mindfulness este utilizată pe scară largă pentru gestionarea stresului și a sănătății mintale. Participanții au practicat, de asemenea, exerciții de mindfulness și meditații. Acest tip de exercițiu îi ajută pe indivizi să devină mai conștienți de simțurile, gândurile și emoțiile lor, favorizând un sentiment mai puternic de prezență și de mindfulness.
Since participants came from different cultural backgrounds, it was an opportunity for them to confront themselves with each other and learn from their shared experiences. More importantly, this course showed them that not only they have the tools with dealing with stressful situation, but that sometimes there can also be a positive outcome from an existing conflict.
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