introduction to exam stress
You know that feeling you get when the clock is ticking down and it feels like there’s no time to spare? Or how about when you’re afraid to open an envelope because you think it might contain bad news? These might be familiar situations for anyone who’s ever taken a test. But what happens when fear of exams gets out of hand? It can lead to serious negative effects on your health, relationships, and performance at school or work.
appetite changes during the exam season
It’s common to experience changes in appetite during exam season, whether that be increased or decreased. This can make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet as we don’t feel like eating as much and may turn to unhealthy snack foods more often. This will only worsen the situation, so try to find a balance during this time that is right for you.
Remember that there are lots of tasty options out there if you’re looking for something nutritious! Some great examples include:
- Chicory root coffee – full of magnesium which helps with anxiety (also delicious)
- Salmon fillet – high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein (try it grilled or smoked)
- Spinach salad – is a great source of antioxidants which help prevent free radical damage caused by stress
When choosing what food you eat, think about what mood you’re in at the time; if you’re feeling stressed then focus on calming foods such as those listed above.
physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems
Exam stress can affect you physically and mentally. If you’re feeling a little under the weather, it’s possible that exam stress may be to blame. Common physical symptoms include headaches, stomach problems, dizziness, tenseness and loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy. Mentally the stress can manifest itself in insomnia (which makes your brain more tired) or in lack of sleep (which leaves your body tired).
severe lack of sleep or sleep too much.
You may find that you’re not sleeping well at all. You might not be able to sleep at night and then oversleep during the day. This can make you tired and irritable during the day, but it can also make you feel depressed.
You may notice that you’re eating more or less than usual because of exam stress. If you’re eating less, then make sure that you eat enough during the day so that hunger doesn’t affect how well you perform on exams or whether or not your body is getting proper nourishment from food.
It is normal to worry about exams and results
- Try to take a break when you need one. Don’t let yourself become completely stressed, it may not be good for your health in the long term.
- Make sure you get enough sleep every night by going to bed early and getting up early so that way you won’t feel tired during class time or at home.
- Eat well by having breakfast regularly, eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water throughout the day so that way your body will have enough energy for studies as well as other activities such as sports/camping etcetera which all contribute positively towards good mental health!
You may find you’re always tired, not sleeping well
You may find you’re always tired, not sleeping well and have lost interest in doing things you normally enjoy. This is normal, but there are ways to cope. Try to relax and get some sleep if possible. You could try meditation or relaxation exercises before bedtime. If all else fails and it’s really affecting your health, see your GP for advice on how to manage stress and anxiety symptoms.
Try to do things that make you feel good about yourself – spend time with friends who lift your mood instead of focusing on those who bring it down, listen to music (whatever makes you happy) or learn something new like a foreign language or computer programming language! Don’t worry too much about the results – they’re just numbers after all!
Do not panic but , make a plant to overcome exam stress
- If you notice any of these symptoms then try not to panic but instead make a plan for how you will deal with the stress.
- Be aware of your own stress levels and try to talk about them with someone or find some support from friends, family or a professional.
- Make sure that you have enough sleep during exam time, this can be very difficult but is important for your health and well-being. Try having an early night so that when the morning comes around it will feel like less of a struggle to wake up in time for school/college/university.
- Make plans for how you will deal with exam stress beforehand: whether this means going out into nature often, doing yoga every day or simply spending more time with friends and family before exams begin; whatever helps reduce anxiety is worth considering as part of a “stress management” plan!
Exam stress can manifest itself physically and mentally
Exam stress can manifest itself physically and mentally so be aware of those around you during exam time. If you see someone who appears to be under a lot of stress, don’t hesitate to ask how they are doing or offer them your support.
Conclusion
Exam time is stressful for most students but if you are aware of the symptoms of stress and know how to deal with it then you can minimize the effect on your well-being. If you notice any changes in your well-being or if someone else is showing signs of stress then speak to them about it as soon as possible so they can get help from a professional or friend before things get worse.
