Making friends with your exam stress (or any stress really!)

We all know the bad things that stress does (physically and emotionally) but what if you could see it in a different way.

If you change the way you feel about your stress you can use it in a more positive way.

Stress if managed properly can improve your motivation and skills. It can help you pass your exams.

‘Stress’ is a physical response to external ‘stressors’ (like exams), so if you feel in control of your stress you use it like rocket fuel to achieve your goals.

3 ways you can manage your exam stress (or any stress)

• BE PREPARED – have an achievable plan and stick to it, this improves your sense of being in control and increases your confidence.

• RELAX – find ways to relax that suit you, yoga doesn’t work for everyone but there are some basic skills you can learn which work for most people (see link….)

• LOOK AFTER YOUR BODY – eat the food your body needs, exercise regularly and sleep.

Heard it all before?

Yes, all the messages about stress and anxiety management are the same (have a bath, exercise, learn some breathing activities etc etc) so they sound boring. But that’s because they are the basics of managing your emotional wellbeing. They work.

When you have got a handle on the basics you can build on them. Start to mix it up, make it personal; being creative, becoming fitter, feeling stronger = feel better.

By recognising and making friends with your stress you can manage it better, and even use it to your advantage.

For more information on managing your stress levels visit the HUB