Finals are the worst. Everybody knows that. Everybody feels some kind of stress when exams come around. Students feel a sense of defeat, like they can’t handle school anymore, like they’re not going to pass, so there’s no reason to even try.
According to a studies done by the American Psychological Association and the American Institute of Stress, 54% of people are concerned about the level of stress in their daily lives. So how can we decrease the amount of stress we are feeling? Here are just a few suggestions on how to lower the level of stress we are feeling in our everyday lives, but especially around finals.
• Sleep
Take a quick nap. Take a break from studying and rest your eyes. It’s a scientific fact that naps stimulate your memory, relax your body, and reduce stress hormones running through your body.
• Exercise
The endorphin rush that a person feels after a workout is clinically proven to reduce the amount of stress the person feels.
• Try meditation
Block out the sounds around you, close your eyes, and breathe. The “mental silence” will be soothing and help clear your mind from all of the bothers around you.
• Chew gum
Chewing gum has the same effect on your body that naps do.
• Get artsy
Grab a canvas, some paint and a paintbrush, and have at it. Paint a picture that you’re into, draw a word that motivates you, or gives you that extra boost of confidence. Art therapy is relaxing, and relaxing means less stress.
• Stretch
Its like exercise, just a lot less work.
• Put your work down
Stop what you’re doing. Just let whatever it is that is bothering you, whether it is homework, studying, or any other type of work, just put it down and pick it up a day or two later. Don’t stress out about it longer than you have to. There’s no need. Worry about it some other time.