Between Academic pressure, sports, cultures, services, studying for exams, keeping up with demanding social lives and still having to find time to work on your mind, soul and body. It’s no wonder why many students feel stressed when exam season comes around. But instead of turning to negative coping methods for stress such as procrastination or escapism where you forget about your problems, here are 5 positive coping strategies to help you manage stress.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. It is a natural human response that cause us to address challenges and threats in our lives. While stress by itself plays a role in our personal well-being, how we respond to stress can also make a big difference to our overall well-being. So how can we cope with stress in a way that is not detrimental to our personal well-beings. Here are some positive coping strategies to help you cope with your stress.
- Get more physical activity
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), brisk movement and moderate physical activity can improve sleep and help you feel less stressed. It can also counter some of the negative effects of stress including its impact on the immune system. So next time you’re feeling stressed, perhaps go on a quick run or dance it out in the lounge to your favourite song.
- Eating better
According to Cleveland Clinic, f oods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, Protein, Fiber, Vitamin B12, Magnesium and Probiotics all may offer some anxiety relief, this includes foods such as fish, avocados, yoghurt, vegetables and even things like dark chocolate. However, while we’re on the topic of food, Cleveland Clinic also notes that you should avoid consuming products that are high in caffeine or high in sugar and refined carbs, so maybe its best that you lay off energy drinks such as Monster, Red-Bull, Switch or even Bioplus as these will just make you feel more on edge when writing exams which are already a rather stressful experience.
- Socialise
According to the American Psychological association, strong social support can improve your resilience to stress, and it can even increase positive emotions. So as much as you think that by locking yourself in your room with nothing but your books will help you ace your exams, you should also remember to not neglect your social needs as we are human after all and human’s are social creatures, so during your study breaks maybe chat to a friend or family member, it will help you remain calm and keep your mind clear.
- Get some sleep
As appealing as it may be to pull an all-nighter before a big exam, just go to bed. Studies show that losing sleep can affect your mood and cognitive abilities which is rather counterintuitive to the goal that most people hope to achieve by pulling an all-nighter which is to remember their coursework. So if you’re stuck and you’re still struggling to understand the content that’s coming up in your paper the next day, rather get your 8 hours of sleep and revise in the morning, at least then you’ll be able to recall information better.
- Touch some grass
Studies show that spending time in nature can improve your mood and help you feel relaxed, so during study breaks, maybe take a few minutes to walk around your backyard, or the neighbourhood, or even visit a park. Just please go touch some grass, and don’t just spend your time cooped up in your room.
In conclusion, by participating in physical activity, eating better, socialising, getting enough sleep, and by spending time in nature you can hopefully manage your stress better. And remember, the best exam taker is not the one who has the broadest understanding of the content, but it is rather the student who is the calmest and relaxed as being calm can help us recall and apply information better. Hopefully these tips help you, good luck for exams!