Stress-busting Support

27.03.2010

One could measure any summer term by its quantity of deadlines, exams, grades and parties of which the first three can and typically do invoke a huge amount of stress. Whilst a low level of tension can be helpful for the body and mind in directing action, provoking clear thinking and heightening brain activity, too much stress can be extremely detrimental to your health and well-being, inducing a range of illnesses from muscle tension to stomach ulcers.

In fact, the higher the levels of stress, the progressively greater effects there are on the body. The most common signs of stress can include nervous ticks or changes to eating habits - either a loss of appetite or bingeing. More intense tension can lead to periods of depression and loss of sleep which can either occur through insomnia or wakeful dreams. As sleep is important for the healthy functioning of the body, a lack of it can make people moody, irritable and angry, and can inflame already existing health conditions, producing more mouth ulcers, migraines and skin conditions such as eczema. Stress can also produce fidgetiness and uncomfortable sleeping forms, leading to muscle tension and twisting of the gut, itself causing IBS. Continued levels of stress throughout life as a reaction to different confusing and uncertain situations can lead to even greater longer-term problems for the body, and taken together, prevent a high quality of social and physical life.

So, given that life is uncertain and stress is such a natural bi-product of modern society, what can be done to overcome these effects and boost the body’s natural well-being? The most primitive and least effective strategies would be to skive or finish the exams early, focus on one day at a time whilst forgetting the existence of the dreaded ‘e’ word, and adopt a ‘devil may care’ attitude to the whole assessment process though there is a plethora of more beneficial alternatives. Some of the more popular, sustainable ways to beat stress, for example, focus on aiming for a high quality of life socially and physically. As such, it is worth investing time in maintaining relationships with your friends, family and peers. Learning to relax whilst continuing with a busy workload, taking breaks every hour and rewarding every endeavour with a small, healthy treat are also recommended. Eating well by following a balanced diet with lots of fruit, vegetables and complex carbohydrates, and sleeping at regular hours with the occasional afternoon nap to help replenish sleep lost before and during a busy, stressful period, can give the body the boost it needs to reset itself.

The mind performs best when it is relaxed, which is a situation easier to achieve when it has structure and flexibility and manageable external pressures. By working out a daily and weekly revision schedule with achievable aims and objectives that branch the difference between the ultimate goals and current position, which is updated daily based on the goals actually met enables a mentally comfortable stepped guide to work through the stressful periods. The average mind can work for a maximum of sixty minutes at a time and it is thus important to take mini breaks every hour, even during the exams themselves. One way of achieving this is to use the periods of procrastination wisely and use the hourly break to check emails, relieve yourself or sharpen your pencil. With a very active mind, it is easy to neglect physical exercise so use this time to stretch and relieve the tension in your muscles. It is easier to focus on the study when the body is both comfortable mentally and physically, so dress appropriately, with loose, warm clothing.

Finally, bodies are all individual and thus what patterns may suit one are not always appropriate for all, so be aware of your particular needs and desires and target these accordingly. If you tend to get more muscle problems, you may find it beneficial to invest in a regular massage at the sports clinic. If you have insomnia, make sure your room is dark, well-ventilated, and as quiet as possible. Above all, remember that however important these exams are, nothing is more vital than the body’s mental and physical well-being.