Balance as an Antidote to Anxiety

University is full of pressures: deadlines, social expectations, financial stress. Anxiety often grows when students put too much emotional energy into one area and neglect the rest.

Mimi - Cardiff University 'I campaign for Anxiety prevention because I think it's important'

The role of balance

Balance means recognising that no single part of life should carry all your energy. Academic goals, friendships, hobbies, self-care, and family each deserve attention. When these areas are balanced, anxiety has fewer opportunities to take root.

What imbalance looks like

• Spending all your time chasing grades, with no friendships or fun.

• Pouring everything into one relationship, neglecting your studies.

• Focusing only on social life, with nothing left for personal growth.

How balance prevents trauma

When one area shifts like a breakup or a disappointing grade a balanced student still has other areas to lean on. Anxiety is reduced because no single setback defines their entire world. That's why students are setting up teams in their Universities.

The takeaway

Balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about diversifying energy. For students, it’s one of the strongest protections against anxiety and trauma.

Change begins in small circles. See how HAPHE began and spread, and explore how prevention builds resilience.

 Learn to recognise triggers of student trauma, and discover how to start your own HAPHE team on campus.

 Every conversation can spark a movement — yours might be next.