Tips for Reducing Stress During Final Exams
Friday, December 7th, 2007Well it’s that time of year again, and I’m not talking about Christmas. Students all across the country are preparing for finals. They are under a lot of stress and this can hinder their test taking performance. Not only does stress effect their testing, it can also cause anxiety, insomnia, irritability, memory loss and 
depression. So what should your student do?
You may not be surprised, but it is recommended that they take a break from studying and clear their minds with some activities such as a casual game or exercise. It will help them relax and be a little less stressed during their tests.
Here are some additional tips to help cope with stress during finals:
Laugh - Laughter has been proven to reduce stress and also release endorphins. So go out and take a mental break by watching a funny movie or video.
Breathe - When people are stressed they have a tendency to take shallow breaths. It is important to take deep breaths especially before taking a test. It will help bring more oxygen to feed your body as well as your brain.
Exercise - will make you feel better and is a great stress reliever. When you have a nice walk or a great workout, your body will produce endorphins to help reduce the stress hormones. So take a break and have a nice walk or do some yoga.
Eat Well - There is almost nothing better you can do for yourself than to to have proper nutrition. You can fight stress and depression by eating more foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Try eating fish three times a week or take Omega 3 supplements to help your moods. To help produce serotonin for your brain eat foods rich in B-6 vitamins. Foods like Sweet potatoes, rice and tuna are a great source as well as supplements.
Students have enough stress in their lives and it doesn’t help when parents put high expectations on performance. Be sure to not add more pressure than they already have. Do however encourage them to do their best.
Tags: Depression, nutrition & health, omega 3 fatty acids, Stress, stress hormones, sweet potatoes, yoga
