Can stress work as a positive success factor, especially in the case of students participating in the Panhellenic Examinations for Higher Education? Specialist scientists answer this question in the affirmative, as it is a secret force of nature, which, with the use of some “strategies”, can be used positively and effectively by students, but also by adults.

“Anxiety is a state of high psychosomatic arousal in which the organism finds itself when it is about to face a physical (sensory stimulus) or symbolic (thought, mental image, memory) threat. Secreted stress hormones (eg adrenaline) mobilize the body to respond to an emergency situation. In this sense, anxiety is a force, a “warfare” given to us by nature so that we can be alert when needed and survive challenges or even threats” explains the clinical-social psychologist and scientific executive of the Prevention Center “Compass”, Chrysanthi Kolyva, on the occasion of a presentation on “Stress: The secret power of nature – How we can use it to our advantage”, which she will do in an online event – webinar on the topic “Introduction to Higher Education”.

The event, which will take place on May 13, 2023 (4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.) is co-organized by the municipality of Neapolis-Sikeon and the Department of Employment, Vocational Guidance, Volunteering and Health Promotion, the Prevention Center ” Pyxida” and the company Career Gate, in collaboration with the National Intermunicipal Network of Healthy Cities.

When does stress cause problems?

According to data provided by Mrs. Kolyva to APE – MPE, “the problem (panic attacks, anxiety disorders) is created when the stress produced deviates from the “productive” stress in terms of quantity, frequency and duration. This discrepancy is partly due to a person’s anxious temperament, but an equally important role is played by cognitive processes – thoughts, the emotional state as well as the adopted modes of behavior. The anxious state is associated with physical symptoms, negative thoughts, emotional arousal and avoidance or unnecessary relaxation behaviors e.g. overconsumption of food, stimulants or depressants’.

How can we regulate stress?

As methods of regulating stress, Mrs. Kolyva mentions:

* Controlling thoughts: by recognizing negative thoughts and reframing them with positive cognitive patterns.

* Reducing psychosomatic arousal – relaxation by using diaphragmatic breathing, by distracting attention from the stressful stimulus (eg a difficult exercise), by focusing on the “here and now” through the senses.

* The active – positive attitude towards stress, as research has shown that students who perceive stress as an “ally” perform better than students who see stress as an “enemy”, even when the levels of stress hormones are the same in two cases.

The event

The webinar is aimed at parents, guardians, students and teachers, and participation in it is free of charge. During it, issues of school career guidance and stress management will be discussed. Students, parents and teachers, who are interested in participating and watching the event, should follow the link of the online platform Join Zoom Meeting, and using the codes for their connection: Meeting ID: 885 8731 6292 – Passcode: 123456.

The event will begin with a greeting from the mayor of Neapolis-Sykeon and president of the “Pyxida” Prevention Center, Simos Danielidis, and will be followed by presentations by Nikoletta Dalatsi, MSc psychologist, Ph.D. head of the Department of Employment, Vocational Guidance, Volunteering and Health Promotion, Ms. Kolyva and Career Gate scientific manager Thanasis Lele.