Anxiety

With assistance and some simple strategies, anxiety does not have to rule your life.

For students, some levels of worry or stress are normal and even helpful. You have exams, deadlines, and clashing commitments that you need to be alert for and ready to perform. But when these feelings get more intense and hang around when they’re not needed or helpful, it can move toward anxiety.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety occurs when our minds perceive a threat to our physical or psychological wellbeing. Blood, hormones and adrenaline pump through our body getting it ready to fight or flee. An exam will not kill us; sometimes it just feels that way to our minds!

Some signs of anxiety might include:

  • excessive worry
  • negative thoughts
  • avoiding situations
  • shaking
  • pain in the chest
  • difficulty breathing
  • difficulty concentrating
  • lightheadedness
  • a sense that panic is overwhelming.

Find out more about anxiety and anxiety disorders at Youth Beyond Blue.

What you can do

  • Learn to breathe slowly and deeply, this reduces the physical symptoms of anxiety
  • Doing exercise helps reduce the instances of anxiety and panic
  • Avoid stimulants like caffeine as it can increase heart rate, which is one symptom of anxiety
  • Relaxing the body reduces the physical symptoms of anxiety so have a massage, a hot bath, garden, listening to music or a relaxation podcast. Download it below.

Apps that help

Community support

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.