If you can’t beat the stress- control it!

It’s that time of the year again – long cold nights of studying with a steaming cup of Milo that is your only companion and a large exam iceberg that cuts through your soul. But never fear, a little stress can go a long way – it can be that ultimate motivational push that you need to get things done. However, sometimes, dealing with stress (especially during exam season) can be an impossible task. With an estimated 20-50% annual increase of university students seeking help for studies-related mental health issues, it’s clear that our leaders of tomorrow are under more pressure than ever before. But whether you are in school or testing the waters of adult life in varsity, we have some top tips for you to beat those nerves and manage those stress levels!

1. Breathe

Setting aside a couple of minutes every day to practice mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises, helps you to calm down your body’s stress response and shift your attention back to reality. In turn, this gives you time to rationally think through the anxieties you have and power through all those study notes.

2. Eat, sleep, repeat and run!

Pulling all-nighters, surviving on a poor diet and countless cups of coffee and getting minimal amounts of exercise, increases symptoms of anxiety and hair-pulling. For your body’s best performance, make sure you’re getting 8 to 9 hours of sleep, enough low GI sarmies and at least an hour of cardio in a day!

3. Set realistic goals

Setting realistic goals, whether you have several weeks, days or hours before your exam, helps you to put everything into perspective. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!

4. Pace yourself through panic

Panic is like a rocking chair – it creates some movement, but gets you absolutely nowhere! Take six deep breaths, hydrate yourself (with water preferably) and then go back the problem at hand. Rome wasn’t built in a day and an elephant can’t be eaten in one ginormous bite!

5. Believe in yourself!

Ask, believe and receive. Your best is always good enough – live up to your own standards and don’t see the ‘highest mark’ as a race. You need to run a race against yourself. You’ve got this!

6. Give yourself a break

This is perhaps easier said than done, but try not to give yourself such a hard time. You’re doing your best and that’s the best you can do! Putting yourself under a lot of pressure will only have a negative effect, and as much of a cliché as this is, worrying really doesn’t solve anything. Have a break, have a KitKat!

Remember, asking for help is never shameful. If you struggle, talk to friends, family, or your tutor about how you are feeling. Bottled up emotions are never the key to a success story!

Good luck and may you go forth and conquer!