Relaxation as an Educational Strategy for Stress Management and Resiliency

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Mental Health Interventions
• Student Well-being

Background:

• Prelicensure nursing students report higher stress, anxiety, and depression compared to other students.
• Academic pressures significantly impact the mental health of nursing students.
• Early identification and management of student stress are crucial for academic success and professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) in reducing perceived stress.
• To determine if a dedicated relaxation room impacts stress levels in nursing students.
• To assess the combined impact of SMART and relaxation room use on student well-being.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, pre- and posttest, within-subjects design was employed.
• Participants engaged in a 15-minute relaxation room session following stress management and resiliency strategy discussions.
• Self-reported stress levels were measured at baseline and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Nearly 90% of nursing students reported a decrease in self-assessed stress levels post-intervention.
• The combination of SMART and relaxation room use demonstrated a significant positive effect on stress reduction.
• Interventions implemented during academic hours proved effective in managing student stress.

Conclusions:

• Stress management and resiliency interventions during academic hours effectively decrease reported stress in nursing students.
• SMART and relaxation room strategies are beneficial for reducing stress and enhancing resilience.
• These findings support the integration of mental well-being programs into nursing curricula.