Barriers to Learning
FACTORS IMPACTING CHILDREN’S STRESS
Research studies confirm short-and long-term memory are compromised by stress and anxiety. (Benson, Herbert, The Relaxation Response,1975)
Stress and the effects on a child
Stress begins with a physiological response to what your mind-body perceives as life threatening. Under intense stress, vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) occurs and literally closes down the forebrain, the center of decision making and memory.
The body’s response to stress begins in the adrenal glands which secrete hormones. These adrenaline and nonadrenalin hormones act upon the autonomic nervous system, as the body prepares for fight or flight.
Your body starts to adjust to the higher levels of the stress horomone-cortisol, lowering oxygen and glucose to the hippocampus, which is responsible for decreased learning and memory.
When stress occurs, if you are able to slow breathing within 10 minutes, cortisol levels will decrease.
Distressed Body => Cortisol Release => Fight/Flight response
What is an example of a stress buster?
Calm Breathing =>Relaxed Body => Optimal Brain Function
Relaxed breathing physically changes the brain’s neural pathways. The relaxation response turns off harmful bodily effects of flight or fight. The response decreases heart rate and brings the body back to a healthier balance (Benson,1975).
When combining relaxed breathing with yoga postures known to lower the heart rate, students are in an optimal place to learn. We call this state “relaxed-alert.”
