Topic 02: How Stress Affects Your Brain
This topic provides an accessible introduction to the neurobiology of stress and how our brains respond to challenging situations. Learners are guided through the “fight or flight” response—an evolutionary survival mechanism that is triggered when we perceive threats, whether physical or psychological. The course explains the roles of the main stress hormones—cortisol, adrenaline (epinephrine), and noradrenaline (norepinephrine)—describing how they affect the body and mind both in healthy doses and when present at chronically high levels. Participants will understand how the General Adaptation Syndrome unfolds in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion, and see how prolonged stress can lead to serious physical and psychological consequences.
A key section explores the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to change and adapt throughout life. The topic discusses how short-term stress can actually improve focus and learning, but chronic stress has damaging effects on the brain’s structure and function. For example, chronic stress can shrink the hippocampus (impacting memory and learning), overactivate the amygdala (increasing anxiety), and weaken the prefrontal cortex (reducing focus and decision-making ability). Despite these challenges, the course emphasizes that the brain can recover: through positive habits such as physical exercise, mindfulness, and engaging in creative activities, learners can strengthen resilience and even reverse some of the negative effects of stress.
Finally, the topic features practical exercises and reflection activities to help participants recognize their own stress responses, understand physiological changes in real-life scenarios, and start building healthier coping mechanisms. Learners are encouraged to explore their personal triggers, experiment with stress-reducing practices, and adopt techniques to foster a more adaptive, resilient brain.
