Last night (May 26), the 22nd lecture of Peking University Dishui Lake Lecture (PKU-DSLLH) was successfully held. Wei Kunlin, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences of Peking University, was invited to deliver a special lecture titled How to Seek 'Relaxation' Under High Pressure at the Dishui Lake Theater.

At the lecture, Prof. Wei initiated his discourse by examining the work-related stress faced by astronauts in space. He elaborated that the essence of stress does not stem from objective events themselves, but rather from an individual's psychological cognitive mechanism of "perceiving events as threatening." He noted that contemporary stress sources have grown increasingly complex, further intensified by abstract thinking capabilities. Drawing on neurobiological research, Prof. Wei systematically analyzed the impact of chronic stress on mental health: long-term stress compromises human psychological and mental well-being through neurophysiological mechanisms, impairing key brain regions such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. It may even affect fetal brain development via placental transmission. He specifically highlighted the unique harm of social media to adolescents: by amplifying social comparison and information overload, it significantly increases rates of anxiety and depression. Prof. Wei emphasized: "Stress is not merely an individual issue, but fundamentally a product of social structures and cultural ideologies."

Regarding strategies for stress management, Prof. Wei proposed: "The decision to confront stress constitutes half the success." This requires a three-tiered approach: problem-solving, self-regulation, and leveraging social support. The core of stress coping lies in "active intervention"—transforming threats into opportunities for growth through cognitive reappraisal and effective time/money management, thereby reducing psychological load. Physiologically, mindfulness and meditation enhance emotional regulation, while regular exercise bolsters self-efficacy. For environmental optimization, ensuring quality sleep and utilizing "expressive writing" to release pent-up emotions are crucial. Prof. Wei concluded that the ultimate goal is not to eliminate stress, but to scientifically manage and utilize it as a catalyst for personal growth.

During the interactive Q&A session, the audience raised questions on practical issues such as "how to cultivate rational thinking," "coping with adolescents' academic pressure," and "psychological adjustment in emergent scenarios." Prof. Wei Kunlin emphasized that equipping oneself with scientific knowledge in daily life is fundamental to developing rational thinking capabilities. He recommended identifying adolescents' individual strengths and encouraging longitudinal self-comparison to foster a growth mindset. Regarding response to acute stress, he proposed using embodied techniques — such as focused breathing and bodily awareness — to interrupt anxiety cycles.

Zhu Xuming, Party Secretary of the Comprehensive Party Committee of Lin-gang Special Area, presented Professor Wei Kunlin with a commemorative plaque for the lecture. Over 350 audiences participated on-site, while new media platforms cumulatively attracted more than 200,000 online viewer engagements.

Before the lecture, Professor Wei Kunlin conducted an on-site inspection of PKU-IICSH, visited the Party-Mass Service Center on its first floor, and offered his kind guidance to the center's development.

Initiated with the support of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lin-gang Speacial Area Administration (hereinafter referred to as Lin-gang Special Area, or LSAA), Peking University Dishui Lake Lecture Hall (PKU-DSLLH) is a collaborative effort involving Peking University International Sci-Tech Innovation Center at Lin-gang Special Area, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (PKU-IICSH), Peking University Office of Science and Technology Development, and Office of Humanities and Social Science, and enjoying an active participation from Peking University Press, Peking University Alumni Association, and other relevant offices and departments. Leveraging Peking University's profound academic foundation and expert resources in the humanities and social sciences, PKU-DSLLH focuses on key areas including economic development, humanities and arts, and social governance.

Since August 2023, PKU-DSLLH has been hosting monthly lectures featuring renowned professors or expert scholars from Peking University, who provide specialized lectures and engage in in-depth discussions with residents in Lin-gang. This initiative aims to facilitate the concentration of high-quality humanities and social science resources from Peking University in Lingang, effectively enhancing the cultural image and urban competitiveness of the Lin-gang Special Area.