Now that exams are over, it’s time to cope with the post-exam stress. If you’ve been struggling a lot to get the right grades, it’s time to unwind and relax. Stress is good in small quantities, as it motivates us. However, living a continuously stressful life decreases our performance abilities. Thus, we must release the negative energy out of our bodies. It’s important to know how to loosen up, and reduce our stress levels.
Let go of those heavy books and that busy library! Start to think about yourself, your own feelings and emotions, and your personal state of well-being. Pay more attention to your mind, and start developing. Exams are over! It’s time to deal with yourself. And remember: you are the most important person in your life.
1. Wake Up
The first step you’ll need to take is understanding that you are going through a challenging time. Accepting your feelings is important, especially when you feel stressed about recent events. Exams can have a powerful impact on your state of being, don’t be ashamed to recognize that. If you
• Feel less energized and powerful
• Have insomnias
• Experience any type of pain or ache
• Don’t have an increased appetite
• Have many running thoughts
• Feel lonely and sad all the time
• Are frustrated and disturbed by everything around you
• Forget many things and can’t focus properly anymore
• Have developed pessimistic thinking
• Developed bad habits,
then there is a high chance you have been stressing too much lately. It’s time to take a break, release that pressure, and simply relax. We all have our crisis moments – make sure you accept that you moment has come now. Don’t freak out, do the opposite: care more about yourself, and less about other things in your life.
2. Stop Thinking About the Past
Think about this way: what is the point of concerning about something that cannot be changed? There is no method to alter what has happened during final exams. If you keep telling yourself “but I could’ve done better,” you are doing nothing but putting even more pressure on yourself; if that led to an improved outcome, then you’d have a good excuse. But it really doesn’t. You can’t change the past.
• Think about the real reasons why you are concerned – what is bothering you? Is it the stigma? Is it your parents’ expectations? Is it your own goals? After finding out the cause of your anxieties, face them, and treat the problem.
• Distract yourself – go to the cinema, hang out with friends, play with your dog, go on different dates, but don’t stay in bed all day!
• Develop a mindful headspace – start meditating, practice yoga, be present, stop concerning
Daniel Alexander, Psychology student at Princeton University, and freelancer at an important online essay writing service, shares his opinion.
“Breathe in, breathe out, and let go of what happened. You can’t really change the past, only concentrate on creating a better future. For now, focus on the present, and live the life to its fullest.”
3. Eat Well
A healthy mindset must be accompanied by a healthy diet. If you eat junk food all day, no wonder you are feeling stressed all the time.
• Set an eating plan for each day
• Try to eat at the same hours
• Consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
• You might want to avoid meat and dairy for a while
• Eat lots of grains and cereals
• Avoid dead foods, such as frozen meals, soft drinks, snacks, and unhealthy desserts
“Mens sana in corpore sano,” or in English, “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” Eat consciously, and in small portions. You’ll feel better in just a week.
4. Get Some Rest and Develop Healthy Habits
If you’re stressed, you probably experience insomnias, and might sometimes even experience nightmares. In order to release pressure, there are some tricks you should respect. According to the National Sleep Foundation:
• Design a sleeping schedule and stick to it – it will regulate your body’s internal clock.
• Meditate before/after your bedtime, or practice mindfulness in another way. It’s important to be aware of yourself before and after waking up.
• Try to avoid naps, it will negatively influence your sleeping patterns, and you might not be able to fall asleep at night.
• Exercise during the day, and stimulate your body as often as you can. Whether you are jogging, lifting weights, or rollerblading, it’s crucial to work out throughout the day.
• Clear the air in your room, and keep organized. Not having enough air to breathe is uncomfortable, and might affect your sleeping patterns.
• Finally, use comfortable pillows and mattresses. If your back is not straight, you might have difficulties falling asleep. Quality matters!
• Don’t forget to take a warm shower right before going to sleep, it helps you relax and it increases your sleep quality.
Besides getting some good sleep, try to develop better habits. Start to create them by:
• Having patience with yourself – developing new habits takes time and perseverance
• Picking the habits that you like, not the ones that you are “supposed to do”
• Trying something new and getting out of your comfort zone – at first, it might seem uncomfortable, but as time goes by, your results will improve
• Build up self-confidence
• Do not underestimate yourself
In order to create healthy habits, it’s important to truly want to improve your life. Being uncertain about your plans and wishes won’t lead to any outcomes. New, healthy habits, along with proper rest will unwind your body, and relax you after those stressful exams.
5. Have Some Fun
Last but not least, hang out with your friends and have the best time of your life! You probably forgot what partying means. Go out, and start exploring again. Here are some things you could do:
• Go camping, or on a hiking trip with your friends
• Take a trip to the beach and play some volleyball
• Throw your own party. It doesn’t even have to be crazy – gather some friends, play some cards, drink some wine, watch some movies
• Go swimming in the ocean or at the pool
• Go to a spa and purchase a massage session
• Cook dinner with your friends (don’t forget the beers!)
• Travel! Visit your friends who live in a different state
• Go out dancing
There are so many opportunities for you to have fun and relax in the same time. Don’t forget to socialize and meet up with your friends after the exams. It will help de-stress and loosen up those brains.
Wrapping Up
Accept your condition, stop thinking about the past, eat well, get some proper sleep, develop healthy habits, build self-confidence, and last but not least, have some great fun with your friends. No matter how hard coping with post-exam stress might be at first, soon you’ll become another person.
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