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Balancing the demands of student life can lead to higher levels of stress and/or anxiety. Some levels of stress and anxiety are healthy and just a part of being a human. However, if we perceive our stress and/or anxiety as harmful, it can be harmful, overwhelming and long-lasting.
Here you will find key information about stress and anxiety, Curtin’s support services and where to find additional information, support, and resources.
What is stress?
Stress is a natural bodily reaction to life constraints and opportunities (stressors). Stressors can be something external, like an event that happens to you, or internal, like your own thoughts. We typically feel stress at a level in proportion to the stressors causing it.
Our bodies are designed to experience and react to stress. Stress energises us to do something; for example, it can help us work harder and stay focused longer to study for an exam or assignment. Understanding stress and how to regulate it are important to harness its energizing benefits that prepare you for a challenge.
However, if we perceive our stress as hindering or harming us and if stressors continue without relief or periods of relaxation, stress can lead to serious negative physical and mental issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, heart problems, just to name a few.
What is anxiety?
Like stress, anxiety is also a natural body reaction to a stressor. Still, anxiety and stress are different. Anxiety is the feelings of worry, doubt, uncertainty, unease, and sometimes fear about events or feelings that have not yet occurred but are related to a stressor we are currently facing. Anxiety takes a stressor and turns it into greater worries.
While low anxiety levels can improve our performance, it becomes a problem when it doesn’t go away, occurs without reason, and/or prevents you from functioning in your everyday life. According to statistics collected by Beyond Blue, one quarter of Australians will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime. This means 26.3% of Australians aged between 16 and 85 have experienced an anxiety disorder. That’s the equivalent of 4.96 million people today.
Support at Curtin
Use the support network at Curtin University to learn how to effectively recognise and manage your stress or anxiety symptoms. Professional confidentiality is taken seriously at Curtin’s Psychological and Counselling Services and AccessAbility Services, so any information discussed will remain private unless you or others are in danger or if legally obligated to disclose.
If you are struggling with stress or anxiety, meditation can be an effective way to help manage your symptoms. Curtin’s guided meditation series can assist you with dealing with exam anxiety, presentation anxiety and how to relax.
Attend one of our group programs and/or workshops to connect with like-minded people, learn about evidence-based psychological science and support, bust myths and stigma around mental health and neurodiversity, and learn practical skills to self-manage your health and wellbeing.
If you’re stressed but don’t know what to do about it, book an appointment with one of our student wellbeing advisors to discuss your current challenges and options available to you at Curtin to assist you manage these difficulties.
If your stress or anxiety becomes overwhelming and you need additional one-on-one support, book an appointment with one of our psychology trained counsellors.
Explore the extensive range of clinical services the Curtin clinics has to offer. From speech pathology and exercise programs to physiotherapy and psychology, they offer a range of services for children and adults open to the public.
Visit the clinics webpage for more information about their services.
An excellent way to become more present, connect with people, and look after your overall health and wellbeing is to exercise. Explore the range of sports and recreation programs, social and competitive opportunities, and fitness memberships Curtin sport and recreation has to offer.
Visit the sport and recreation website for more information about what’s on and how to register.
