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Some days at uni feel like a lot of things are happening all at once. An assignment is due, your phone won’t stop buzzing, you’re running between classes and somehow you’ve forgotten to breathe properly.
The good news is our body already has one of the simplest tools for managing stress: your breath. Taking five intentional minutes to slow your breathing can help settle your mind and create a moment of calm before you jump back into your day.
Why does breathing help?
When we’re stressed, our breathing naturally becomes faster and shallower. Slow, controlled breathing sends signals to your nervous system that you’re safe, helping your body shift out of “fight or flight” mode and into a calmer state.
It’s not a magic solution to stress, but it is a way to give yourself a moment to pause.
Try this: The 4–6 breathing exercise
This is a breathing technique that you can do before class, during a study break or while sitting in the library.
- Sit comfortably and relax your shoulders.
- Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds.
- Breathe out slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds.
- Repeat for 5 minutes, keeping your exhale longer than your inhale.
The longer exhale encourages your body to slow down, making this a great exercise when you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Try this breathing reset:
- Before starting an assignment
- After a stressful class or presentation
- During a study break
- Before going to sleep
- Anytime you notice your mind racing
Even one or two minutes can make a difference.
Want to practise with others?
If you’d like a dedicated space to unwind, Curtin offers free weekly meditation sessions every Wednesday throughout semester.
Students can join lunchtime Buddhist Zen Meditation with Venerable Hue Can in the Library, or attend the evening meditation classes led by the Buddhist Society of WA. Both sessions are open to students of all experience levels and are designed as welcoming opportunities to pause, learn and recharge.
Need a little extra support?
If you’re finding that stress becoming a regular part of your student life, take a moment to check in with yourself using the Wellbeing tool in OASIS. It can help you find personalised resources and support based on how you’re feeling and what you need most.
