Features 23
When stress happens
Fight/Flight/Freeze response is the mind/
body’s response to perceived threats in our
environment. This response leads to biochemical
changes in the body which prepare us to fight
or flee or at times freeze. Blood is moved to
more important areas of the body such as the
heart and lungs and away from less important
areas such as stomach and pre-frontal cortex.
This is great for physical dangers but not so
great for cognitive stressors.
Prefrontal cortex Limbic system
This area is
responsible for
all your rational
decision-making,
analysis, planning
and willpower. This is considered
the survival part
of your brain. Its
role is to sound the
alarm to the rest of
your body, such as
heart and lungs, if it
detects danger.
To manage your stress better
you need to get back to the basics:
Make sure you are dedicating
enough time to sleep
As well as making us feel less tired during the day, sleep
helps with keeping all that material you learnt for the
exam in your head and makes you calmer and happier.
Schedule in some time to do the
things you enjoy
Take some time out to do something that gives you a
sense of pleasure or accomplishment. This will help you
feel better about yourself and show some compassion
towards yourself in times of stress.
Get that body moving
Regular exercise has been shown to help improve mood
and concentration. This is because by moving your body
you are increasing the levels of brain chemicals that help
with making new brain cells and establish new helpful
brain connections.
Eat healthily
Constant stress can really take a toll on your body as well
as your immune system and you are more likely to feel
run-down or get sick. Fuel that body with regular meals
that are mostly vegetables and unprocessed.
Take some time to be mindful
Mindfulness involves intentionally placing our attention
on the breath and knowing when our attention has
wandered. Mindfulness meditation works the brain the
way a good workout regimen works the body. When we
practise mindfulness regularly, we increase the blood flow
in our brains to the pre-frontal cortex, which helps us
remain calm.
Connect with your friends
and family
When we get busy and stressed, it is so easy to forget
to call mum or say no to that invite for dinner. However,
keeping our social connections increases our sense of
self-worth and their support helps us bounce back from
stressful situations quicker.
To learn more about how
to manage your stress
levels at university, contact
USQ’s Student
Services team.
Visit the
Student
Services
website.