Coping with stress and anxiety

The audience practising alpha-functioning under Kong’s guide

The Centre for Extension Education (CEE) organised a talk titled “Coping with Exam Stress and Anxiety” on 5 February 2018 at the Sungai Long Campus.

The invited speaker was Lily Kong who is the country director of Silva Method Malaysia and Health Essentials Asia Sdn Bhd. She is also a practicing Clinical Hypnotherapist and a guest speaker at the World Conference organised by the International Federation of Training Development Organisation.

“Good stress is a normal level of stress which can help us to work more efficiently and think faster. It can also help to boost our overall performance. There are a few stages of stress. It is important to monitor our stress level in order to avoid ourselves from excessive pressure,” Kong said.

“There are many causes and reasons that could lead to anxiety and stress. They could be linked to the influence of previous experience, lack of preparation, being worried and more. We are often hindered by the past and the future, hence losing focus on the present moment. It is crucial to understand that there are multiple possibilities and risks which could affect us. Therefore, it is necessary for us to learn how to maintain emotional wellness.”

Kong introduced some relaxation techniques to the audience. She suggested, “We can relax through positive and encouraging self-talk, and stop the mental chatter from pressuring ourselves with fear and unpractical expectation. Besides, one of the best ways to deal with stress and anxiety is to imagine an ideal place for relaxation where we may feel happy and relaxed and integrate it with a breathing exercise.”

“Alpha-functioning or meditation helps us to stay focused by achieving a state of ‘relaxed alertness’. With good breathing exercise and meditation, we will be able to enjoy the art of centring, in which we are physically and mentally relaxed and be at the present moment with balanced and grounded attention,” Kong added.

She explained, “Coping with stress and anxiety can help us to control our emotions. Besides, it also helps us to improve learning and retain memory by increasing our level of focus and concentration. These techniques will help you to better cope with exam stress and anxiety, as well as your daily lives.”

The talk saw some 80 participants in the audience.

Kong explaining about how brain reacts under stress

The participants practising the breathing exercise at the talk

CEE English Unit Head Raiza Azni binti Suhainih (left) presenting souvenirs to Kong