Stress is worse than you think!

Read the article by John Carpi from Psychology Today

Word cloud depicting student stressors such as family issues, safety, uncertainty, course load, overload, social instability, and health challenges.

Understand The Impact Of Chronic Stress And Trauma On Learning

How does chronic stress impact our students at the university?

  • Trouble forming relationships

  • Poor self-regulation

  • Negative thinking

  • Hypervigilance

  • Executive function challenges

We might notice these behaviors:

  • procrastination

  • not sleeping

  • doomscrolling

  • drugs

  • drinking alcohol

  • missing classes

Helpful Resouces

  • How Trauma and PTSD Change the Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdUR69J2u6c

  • van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.

  • Siegel, D. J. (2010). Mindsight: the new science of personal transformation. New York: Bantam Books.

  • Shapiro, F (2010). Getting Past Your Past : Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy. Rodale.

  • Understanding ACEs with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh1idR1XkC4

Understanding ACEs

with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Strategies for supporting students

  • De-escalate with Understanding and Co-regulation

  • Listen and Build a Trusting Relationship

  • Create a Predictable Routine

  • Teach Self-Regulation Techniques

  • Connect to Resources. 

Drawing of two hands reaching each otherAbove a background of black scribbles with a yellow top section.
Black background with white text that reads 'De-escalation Tips' within a white circle, with abstract white lines and dots around the circle.
Two human head outlines connected by a line, one with a tangled scribble and the other with a light bulb, symbolizing self-regulation techniques for mental clarity.
Infographic illustrating the brain on trust versus anxiety. The left side of the brain, associated with anxiety, is shown with tangled red lines, while the right side, associated with trust, is smooth and yellow. Title reads 'This is your brain on trust.' The infographic includes responses, with anxiety responses in red and trust responses in green.