Students in the skilled trades can be subjected to high stress levels and pressures that they may not have encountered before. Stressors such as deadlines, apprenticeships, and poor time management/ work-life balance can affect a trade student. And while there are healthy ways to cope with stress, there are also unhealthy coping mechanisms that can do more harm than good. While they do not eliminate or decrease the stressor(s), coping mechanisms are effective in reducing negative feelings, such as stress and anxiety.
A survey conducted by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (2020) identified common coping strategies among apprentices as:
- Taking time for themselves
- Spending time with family and friends
- Consuming substances
- Seeking counselling
- Engaging in hobbies
- Exercising
- Taking prescription medication
- Smoking cigarettes
Of these coping strategies, taking time for themselves was the most reported (64%) and seeking counselling was the least reported (9%) (Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, 2020).
Trades students can face multiple stressors throughout their academic journey, and during that time they can be harsh and self-critical towards themselves in times of need and uncertainty. With that, it’s important to stress the importance of self-compassion to students – that we be kind and compassionate to ourselves when we’re feeling inadequate or suffering rather than be harsh and critical. This adaptive tool can help students thrive in adverse situations and cope with stressors in a way that will not leave students exhausted and defeated.
Self-compassion is made up of three core elements:
| Self-kindness – treating yourself with kindness during challenging times (i.e., positive self-talk) | Common humility – understanding that others are also experiencing similar hardships, that you are not alone. | Mindfulness – having a balanced and non-judgmental attitude when working through emotional experiences. |
For more information on mindfulness, check out CICMH’s Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques webinar.
Practicing self-compassion can lead to increased motivation and life satisfaction, and better mental and physical health and relationships. It can also lead to increased resilience needed to cope with stressful life events.
For more information, visit CICMH’s Emotional Regulation infosheet.
