5 Ways to Practice Self-Care During Exams

Taking care of yourself constructively and encouragingly is more vital than ever before when it comes to effectively getting through the week of examinations.

Exams can be stressful and aggravating if you are disorganized. Practicing self-care throughout the exam is a skill few people have mastered. While taking bubble baths and pampering yourself is an important part of practicing self-care, it's not the only thing you can do to be healthy. People persuade themselves that achieving an A on this exam is essential. However, self-care is paramount and cannot be compromised. Self-care is not an option but an essential part of life. People can study and perform at their optimum level if they are in peak physical and mental health.

Exam anxiety and pressure only serve to amplify these already-existing problems. Self-care and mental health may be the last things on your mind during these difficult times. Managing stress is essential for preventing burnout and sustaining mental wellness. Here are some self-care suggestions to help you achieve a better exam-routine balance.

Plan and Schedule Time Off for Study

Everyone has a different workday schedule that works well for them. Don't try to study for 12 hours straight in the library because that will only lead to complete exhaustion. Make a study schedule based on the periods when you learn best. Take a break from studying at 5 p.m. to do something fun or de-stressing if you're more productive during the day. Take the mornings off and work in the afternoon if you're more productive in the evenings. Go for a brisk jog or yoga flow, or walk about school if you spend much of your time in the library. In addition to giving your brain a vacation, exercise will provide you with vitamin D and fresh air and make you feel much better afterward.

Get Enough (Good) Sleep

Sleep may seem impossible with time commitments. Jonathan et al. (2021) suggested that exam week is the perfect time to establish a regular sleep regimen; take advantage of it. No matter how tight your study schedule is, getting adequate sleep will significantly impact the quality of your study time. Skilling et al. (2021) noted that memory consolidation occurs during sleep when brain connections are strengthened. Learning and performance can suffer if you  don't get enough sleep — "overworked neurons can no longer function to organize information appropriately, and we lose our ability to retrieve previously learned knowledge." According to Soleymanpour et al. (2021), broad Spectrum hemp extract with CBD can help you get a good night's rest to remember better what you've learned.

Don't Forget to Breathe and Meditate Often

A lot of information leaves your head a mess, but meditation can help you decompress and allow the brain to recover. Huff & Humfreys (2021) suggested that you could begin your day with a dose of CBD-infused coffee and follow it with a quick meditation to help you stay awake and focused. When you give the brain time to focus, you may discover that your memory recall from last night's study improves.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

Eating correctly is also critical; although stress can make you feel ill, you need to obtain nutrients because the brain can't function properly on an empty stomach. Students who grab junk food from vending machines rather than sit down to eat and bring nutritious snacks while studying are doing more harm than good in the long term. Bobo (2021) noted that junk food depletes your energy and impairs your ability to concentrate. Ensure you get nutrition to avoid producing dying whale noises from your stomach. Incorporate natural stress-relieving supplements into your daily regimen.

Find  a Quiet Place to Study

Everybody has a distinct preference when it comes to where they study. While some people thrive in quiet environments, others find them oppressively so. Aside from the fact that it's easier to concentrate when you're in your place, some people realize that they are most productive when working from home because it's a comfortable setting. It's critical to strike a balance between ease and order while starting a study session. Drift away from the noise and distractions of the outer world to work in your most productive and concentrated state.

Other Self-Care Tips To Consider

Stop Using Social Media and Unplug

Take a break from social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter if they're becoming too much of a distraction. While you wish to feel more connected to the world around you, using social media is a fantastic method, but the continual stream of information may also be incredibly overwhelming. Eliminating apps from your phone is the simplest step when you're overloaded with schoolwork or want a clean slate.

Look at the Big Picture

Taking time to think about what you need to do to achieve your objectives will help alleviate some of your tension. Set everything out in front of you, and you'll feel like you can accomplish anything to get a clearer picture. Get organized, prioritize your duties, and adapt your calendar to know what you can and cannot accomplish. You can only accomplish what you're capable of, and that's all you have control over.

Treat Yourself

Keep track of the progress and reward yourself for finishing chores on your to-do list, no matter how minor the accomplishment. Keeping yourself inspired and on pace with your study schedule might be facilitated by rewarding yourself with a token of appreciation. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee or snacks when you've finished your chapter notes, or watch an episode of your favorite television show after a successful day at work.

Conclusion

When coping with the stress of being a college student, it's important to focus on your mental and physical health. You may achieve great things by starting small—schedule time for exercise, social support, and meditation into your routine to perform your best. Take a deep breath, a walk, a pause, or a shower if you need to. Ensure you get enough sleep to avoid fatigue during the day leading to unproductivity. Studying depends solely on fresh minds. Your memory becomes steady when you have enough sleep.

References

Bobo, Z. N. (2021). Promoting Traditional And Indigenous Foods In South Africa: A Desktop Review.

Huff, A. D., Humphreys, A., & Wilner, S. J. (2021). The Politicization Of Objects: Meaning And Materiality In The US Cannabis Market. Journal Of Consumer Research, 48(1), 22-50.

Jonathan, G. K., Dopke, C. A., Michaels, T., Bank, A., Martin, C. R., Adhikari, K., ... & Goulding, E. H. (2021). A Smartphone-Based Self-Management Intervention For Bipolar Disorder (Livewell): User-Centered Development Approach. JMIR Mental Health, 8(4), E20424.

Skilling, K., Bobis, J., & Martin, A. J. (2021). The "Ins And Outs" Of Student Engagement In Mathematics: Shifts In Engagement Factors Among High And Low Achievers. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 33(3), 469-493.

Soleymanpour, M., Saderholm, S., & Kavuluru, R. (2021, December). Therapeutic Claims In Cannabidiol (CBD) Marketing Messages On Twitter. In 2021 IEEE International Conference On Bioinformatics And Biomedicine (BIBM) (Pp. 3083-3088). IEEE.