Stress breathing - Bedirhan, Philip, and Magdalena

 Stress breathing - Bedirhan, Philip, and Magdalena

This project was created by Bedirhan Yakarer, Phillip Burdich, and Magdalena Svancarova in Olomouc for the From Theory into Practice seminar in 2025. The project is based on the stress the average student experiences while studying. What we essentially wanted to convey is that every sound around us, regardless of its volume or rhythm, affects the psychology of a stressed student and can build up into a panic attack. We used man-made sounds in the city and library as stress-inducing stimuli. Those are mostly arrhythmic, annoying sounds that can get on anyone’s nerves. While the sounds get louder, increasing in number and more intense, the student starts to hyperventilate, signaling that a panic attack is near. The student opens a window to get fresh air, but the sound in the city gets even louder. To feel better, the student closes the window, imagines a calm, natural spot in a natural setting, away from any man-made sounds, as a counter-stimulant to relax. The window opens, and we hear raindrops, birds, and wind as the student starts breathing normally. The stress on students can increase because of the smallest thing possible, like a sound. Not because the sound itself is too distracting, but it's just another catalyst on top of many that stresses a student, and the way to clear your head and calm down is in nature.