Stress and the Brain Infographic

A visual summary of how stress affects key brain regions

Brain Regions & Their Functions

• Amygdala (Emotion Center)
– Processes fear and threat signals
– Chronic stress ➔ hyperactivity, heightened anxiety

• Hippocampus (Memory Hub)
– Encodes and retrieves memories
– Prolonged cortisol ➔ reduced volume, memory issues

• Prefrontal Cortex (Executive Control)
– Governs decision-making, impulse control
– High stress ➔ weakened focus and reasoning

Stress Types & Pathways

Acute Stress
• Short-lived “fight-or-flight” response
• HPA Axis activation: hypothalamus → pituitary → adrenal glands → cortisol surge

Chronic Stress
• Sustained cortisol release
• Leads to structural brain changes and impaired function

Chronic Stress Effects at a Glance

• ↑ Amygdala activity → emotional overreactions
• ↓ Hippocampal volume → memory lapses
• ↓ Prefrontal Cortex efficiency → poor planning & self-control

Display this infographic large in class or print for reference as you explore how stress shapes brain health.

Coping Strategies Worksheet

Part 1: Match Each Strategy to Its Stress Pathway and Brain Benefit

Complete the table below by identifying which stress response each strategy targets and explaining how it supports brain health.

Part 2: Brainstorm One Additional Coping Strategy

Think of a new technique not listed above. Describe its key features and how it protects your brain under stress.

Name of Your Strategy:

Which Stress Response Does It Target?

Explain the Expected Brain Health Benefit:

When you’ve finished, compare with your partner and discuss how different strategies work together to keep the brain healthy under pressure.

Brain Health Exit Ticket

Write one stress management technique you will try this week and explain why you think it will support your brain health.

Technique I will try:

Why this will help my brain:

Brain Pressure Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Good morning, everyone! Today we’re going to explore what happens in our body and brain when we feel stressed. To start, I have a question for you:

• What happens to your body and mind when you feel stressed?

Teacher pauses and listens as students share. Teacher records key words (e.g., racing heart, sweaty palms, worry) on the whiteboard.

Teacher: “Great observations! So, stress can make our heart beat faster, our palms sweat, and our thoughts race. Stress is actually our body’s response to demands or threats—real or perceived.

Our goals today are:

1. To define stress and distinguish acute versus chronic stress,
2. To learn how stress affects brain structure and function,
3. To practice evidence-based strategies that help keep our brain healthy under pressure.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to explain the physiological stress response, identify three brain areas affected by stress, and choose coping strategies to support brain health.”

Mini-Lecture (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s dive in. Please look at the screen as I display the Brain Under Pressure Slide Deck.”

Slide 1 (Brain Under Pressure)
Teacher reads:
• Essential Question: How does stress impact your brain?
• Objectives:
– Define stress and its types
– Understand physiological and neural changes under stress
– Practice evidence-based coping strategies

Teacher: “This slide sets our focus. Keep this essential question in mind as we go through each part.”


Slide 2 (What Is Stress?)
Teacher reads:
• Stress: the body’s response to demands or threats (real or perceived)
• Acute vs. Chronic Stress:
– Acute: short-term, immediate reactions
– Chronic: long-term, ongoing pressure
• Key point: the body reacts the same way, whether the stressor is physical or psychological

Teacher: “Can someone give me an example of acute stress? How about chronic stress?”
Teacher listens, then: “Exactly—walking into a pop quiz is acute; worrying nonstop about grades over weeks is chronic.”


Slide 3 (Physiological Stress Response)
Teacher reads:
• Fight-or-Flight Pathway (HPA Axis):

1. Hypothalamus signals pituitary gland
2. Pituitary releases ACTH
3. Adrenal glands secrete cortisol
   • Rapid increase in heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar
   • Designed for short bursts of action

Teacher: “The HPA axis is our body’s built-in alarm system. Notice how cortisol floods the body to prepare for action. Any questions about how this pathway works?”


Slide 4 (Brain Areas Affected by Stress)
Teacher reads:
• Amygdala: emotion processing (“fear center”)
• Hippocampus: memory formation and retrieval
• Prefrontal Cortex: decision-making, impulse control

Teacher: “Stress doesn’t just speed up your heart—it changes these key brain regions. Check the Stress and the Brain Infographic later for a handy visual.”


Slide 5 (Chronic Stress and the Brain)
Teacher reads:
• ↑ Amygdala Activity → heightened anxiety and reactivity
• ↓ Hippocampal Volume → memory impairments
• ↓ Prefrontal Cortex Efficiency → poor focus and decision-making
• Long-term cortisol exposure can alter neural connections

Teacher: “When stress lasts too long, our ‘fear center’ gets overactive, our memory center shrinks, and our ‘think-through-it’ center weakens. That’s why chronic stress can feel so overwhelming.”


Slide 6 (Coping Strategies for Brain Health)
Teacher reads:
• Deep Breathing & Meditation → lowers cortisol levels
• Regular Physical Activity → promotes neurogenesis in hippocampus
• Time Management & Prioritization → reduces chronic pressure
• Healthy Sleep Habits → restores prefrontal cortex function

Teacher: “These strategies aren’t just feel-good tips—they have real effects on brain chemistry and structure. Keep these in mind as you work on our activity next.”

Collaborative Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Now let’s practice. Turn to your partner and take a copy of the Coping Strategies Worksheet.”

Teacher hands out worksheets.

Teacher: “In Part 1, match each strategy to the stress pathway it targets and explain how it benefits your brain. In Part 2, brainstorm a brand-new coping strategy. Give it a name, say which stress response it targets, and describe its brain-health benefit. You have eight minutes—go!”

Teacher circulates, asking guiding questions such as:
• “How does deep breathing lower cortisol?”
• “Which stress pathway does time management reduce?”
• “Nice idea—how will your new strategy protect your hippocampus?”

After eight minutes, Teacher says: “Wrap up your thoughts and prepare to share one response per pair.”

Reflection & Assessment (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s reconvene. I’ll call on a few pairs to share one coping strategy and its brain benefit.”

Teacher invites 2–3 pairs to share, acknowledging each: “Thank you—that shows great understanding!”

Teacher: “To finish, grab a sticky note. Write one stress-management technique you will try this week and why it will help your brain. Then place it under ‘My Brain Health Plan’ on the board.”

Teacher circulates as students post notes.

Teacher: “Fantastic work today, everyone. Remember: small daily habits can make a big difference in how your brain handles pressure. Have a great day!”