Murdoch University stamps out stress

By Stuart McGuckin Murdoch University’s Bush Court was bustling with action this week as a wide range of relaxing activities were put on as part of Stamp out Stress day. As each semester nears its end and exams draw closer, the Student Guild puts on a day of events designed to help students de-stress. Guild President Roland Belford said that around this point of the semester it can all get a bit full on and that is why days such as this are important. “It’s really important that everyone can just chill out once in a while,” said Mr Belford. This semester’s attractions that got the most students excited were the do-it-yourself tie-dye as well as the free massages and henna. “Students say they love these days while they’re getting their massage,” said Mr Belford. “More fun activities on campus is always something we want to do.” Murdoch student Davide Maurogiovanni enjoys days like these and thinks they break up a very stressful period filled with deadlines. “Because I’m in my final year and semester, I’ve got a big editing project to do and a major project for a case study. So I’d say pretty busy, pretty stressed,” said Mr Maurogiovanni. “If I’m really, really stressed I have my punching bag and I keep on punching and get a little bit of my anger out and then from there just be fine.” Libby Brook lectures in Psychology at Murdoch and has a keen interest in the effects of stress. Mrs Brook said that while students might find stress a motivating factor in moderate amounts when left unchecked it can have negative physical and mental health effects. “When someone is not managing stress well, it can lead to ineffective studying,” said Mrs Brook. “For example, you might read the same page multiple times and not absorb anything, and you might not be able to integrate information properly.” Students feeling overwhelmed by stress can contact the Murdoch Psychology Clinic  on 9360 2570.