{"id":84,"date":"2026-04-29T14:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T13:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/learning-well\/?p=84"},"modified":"2026-04-30T08:24:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T07:24:27","slug":"whats-your-body-telling-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/learning-well\/2026\/04\/29\/whats-your-body-telling-you\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s your body telling you?"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Abby Sanderson, Move<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Our bodies are incredible systems; they cope with so much on a day-to-day basis to keep us well and functioning. Sometimes we can take them for granted and forget to listen to what our body is trying to tell us. On the one hand, while student life can be busy, fast-paced and enjoyable, it can also be stressful at times, and this can manifest itself in the body as pain, fatigue or illness. On the other hand, we can experience periods of boredom or feel like we lack motivation. All of these feelings are normal, but try asking yourself this:<\/p>\n

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What would happen if we slowed down, took a minute, and really tried to listen to what our body is telling us\u2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Stress Performance Curve<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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As individuals, we all experience and respond to stress differently<\/strong> \u2013 and that’s fine, we’re all unique individuals, after all! The stress performance curve<\/strong> (Yerkes-Dodson Law, 1908) illustrates the relationship between optimum stress levels\/arousal and performance. The theory suggests that there is an optimum level or arousal\/stress for peak performance. Too little or too much stress can both be counterproductive to our studies, albeit in very different ways.<\/strong> Read on to find out more\u2026<\/p>\n

Struggling to find motivation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you don\u2019t feel aroused enough, this could result in you feeling tired, bored and unfocused. Often, this can lead to procrastination, short attention span and a reduction in performance. When you’re feeling like this, it’s important to try and raise arousal levels in the body \u2013 movement can be a great way of doing this!<\/p>\n

Movement and exercise positively affect the brain by stimulating the prefrontal cortex, which is the primary function in decision-making and supports focus and attention.<\/strong> When you exercise, the hippocampus is also stimulated which is important when studying as it supports the retrieval of memories and stored information. When we move our body, we also experience an increase in the following neurotransmitters: serotonin; dopamine; and norepinephrine (Erdo\u011fan et al., 2025). These neurotransmitters work together to support emotional wellbeing and cognitive function. In other words, being active helps you think clearer, remember more, and feel better<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What movement can I easily fit into my day? Why not try out some of the following:<\/h3>\n