Exam stress
It is perfectly normal to feel stressed in the lead up to or during an exam. This can actually be of benefit as it motivates you, helps you complete tasks more efficiently and boosts your memory.
Unsurprisingly, revision and being prepared for your exams is the best way to reduce anxiety. Ahead of an exam, try to keep things in perspective and make sure you:
- Take regular breaks
- Eat well
- Stay hydrated
- Consider when and where you study best
- Keep active
- Get enough sleep
- Schedule in some relaxation time
Too stressed
If you become too stressed, you may start to panic. If this happens during an exam, take five minutes to calm yourself using one of these exercises:
- Breathe slowly through your nose and make sure you exhale for as long as you inhale
- Visualise a calm place or person and let yourself spend two minutes thinking about this
- Focus on the present – think about what the person in front of you is wearing
- Cup your hands over your nose and mouth to breathe in more carbon dioxide
- Do something you find easy that makes you think (draw a doodle or write your name backwards)
- Observe and explain your symptoms to yourself as mere anxiety reactions, eg "I'm dizzy because panic leads to constriction of the arteries to my brain"
- Do something physical: stretch your legs, roll your shoulders, lean back or look at the ceiling
- Talk directly to the panic: "Forget it, you are not winning, now go away"
- Remind yourself that panic attacks are not actually dangerous, just unpleasant
- Know that your panic will end
