Page 32 - Unit 7 Brain Stress

What does this unit teach us?

WHEN NEEDS ARE NOT MET WELL, STRESS CHEMICALS ARE

RELEASED INTO OUR BODY. IT TAKE GOOD SKILLS TO MANAGE

▪ Unmet needs change our neurobiology. When our 5C Needs are NOT met well, stress

chemicals are released into our body.

▪ Stress chemicals cause our heart rate and breathing to get stronger, so we have energy

to fight or flight. It is then harder to feel and become calm.

▪ Messages are sent to parts of our body so that our senses are maximized: we become

more alert; our hearing, smell and sight become more acute. This means we may find

sound and smells more overwhelming.

▪ Stress chemicals also inhibit the pre-frontal cortex of our brain; it is harder to think
clearly, problem-solve and make rational decisions.

▪ Stress chemicals also inhibit some other parts of the body to save energy, such as our

immune and digestive systems. This means we are more likely to become ill.

▪ If stressors continue day-after-day, the levels of stress chemicals in our body can be set

permanently on high. Over the longer term, this can reduce neural firing. This means
those vital Executive Function Skills will be weaker when we are learning or at play!