Page 25 - Course Handbook 2023

When stressors come our way, we
Unit 7: Brain Stress
What happens when needs are not met so well?
need good skills to manage

WHAT WE KNOW / UNDERSTAND PICTURE PROMPTS

WHEN NEEDS ARE NOT MET WELL, STRESS CHEMICALS ARE RELEASED
INTO OUR BODY. WE NEED GOOD SKILLS TO MANAGE THIS WELL

▪ When our 5C Needs are NOT met well, we do not feel so good.

▪ This is because stress chemicals are released into our body.
▪ These stress chemicals cause our heart rate and breathing to get stronger,
so we have energy to fight or flight. It is harder to feel and become calm.

▪ They also send more oxygen to some parts of our brain so that we become
more alert; our hearing, smell and sight become more acute. This means we
may find sound and smells more overwhelming.

▪ Meanwhile, these stress chemicals inhibit some other parts of the body to
save energy, such as our immune system and digestive system. We may feel
sick.

▪ It also inhibits the pre-frontal cortex of our brain so it is harder to think
clearly, problem-solve and make rational decisions.

▪ Over the longer term, raised stress levels can damage arteries and blood
vessels, increase the storage of unused energy as fat (leading to weight
gain).

▪ Raised stress levels over the longer term can also shrink the dendrites of
neurons and reduce neural firing in the prefrontal cortex. This means those
vital Control Centre skills will be weaker when we are learning or at play!