Influence of Stress on Learning
Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it is a student trying to meet deadlines for work in school, or an adult with pressure from their job or family, stress affects learning in many ways. There are both positive and negative effects of stress on learning. This article will look into how stress can impact learning and how one can better manage stress in order to optimize learning.
Stress takes on different forms – physical, mental and emotional. Physical stress can affect studying, such as when a person has to stay up late to finish a project or paper. Mental stress comes from having to make quick decisions or having to learn something new. Emotional stress can affect learning especially when a person is having difficulty with a certain subject or project. Each of these types of stress can either be beneficial or detrimental to learning.
Positive stress, also known as eustress, can help one stay focused and motivated. Eustress has been said to be beneficial in helping one learn as it encourages a person to focus on the task at hand and be more productive. This type of stress is not overwhelming and only serves as a helpful reminder to continue in the learning process.
On the other hand, too much stress can actually have the opposite effect, and lead to learning disability. High levels of stress cause one to become overwhelmed and can make it difficult to focus on or retain any type of lesson. If a student becomes too overwhelmed and stressed about a subject, they may experience a mental block and have difficulty understanding anything new that is taught. This can then lead to decreased performance in class or difficulty comprehending tasks.
The key to learn effectively while under stress is to know how to manage stress in a beneficial way. When a person is able to control the levels of stress they feel, they can better focus on their studying and achieve better results. Here are some options that can help reduce stress that can be used by both students and adults alike:
Take regular breaks: Taking a break helps to give the brain a break and refresh the mind. This also gives a person a sense of accomplishment as they are able to take a break and still complete their task.
Exercise: Regular exercise not only helps to reduce stress levels but also helps with focus. Regular physical activity helps to boost energy levels, boosts the brain’s ability to think and increases retention power.
Eat healthy: Eating healthy snacks and meals ensures that the body has the energy it needs to stay focused and productive.
Make sure to get enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep can increase stress levels. Getting enough sleep helps to replenish the body with energy and helps to enhance memory and concentration.
These tips can help reduce stress levels and improve the learning process. It is important to understand how stress can influence learning in order to determine how to best manage it in order to optimize learning. The most important thing to remember is that stress can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on learning. Knowing how to manage it is key to achieving desired results.
