7 Ways to Manage Stress During TEST Season
Elizabeth Enriquez
AP and Testing season is always a hectic time of year. With everyone in a frenzy to cram the last few pieces of knowledge into their brains before their exams, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by it all. However, it’s at times like these that it is most important to manage stress well. Managing your stress can not only help you feel better in the moment, but it can prevent long-term health complications due to anxiety.
Eat Healthy
Food is fuel! The healthier you eat, the better you’ll feel—the better you treat your body, the better it’ll treat you back. Especially with exams now, it’s especially important to get in a good breakfast to make sure your brain is prepared for the tests ahead. Feeling satisfied and nourished can help you perform your best on your upcoming exams.
Decrease Electronic Time
Especially with the prevalence of screens in the studying world today, it may be hard to limit the amount of blue light you consume. Many computers and laptops come with a blue light filter option, which can help reduce the stress on your eyes. Reducing blue light intake helps the brain to be able to “power down” more easily and make rest time more restful, especially when sleeping.
In addition, another way to reduce stress is to reduce time spent on your phone. The “death scroll” is a truly dangerous thing—especially when you know you have to focus. This kind of procrastination can increase stress by inducing a sense of anxiety once you realize how much time you lost. Some ways I have found to be helpful in avoiding this is powering down my phone, reducing/turning off notifications, or placing my phone somewhere where I can’t see or hear it. That way, I can focus better and make sure that I am making the most of the time I have to review.
Exercise
It may seem like there’s no time for anything during AP season, however, making time for exercise is especially worth it during this time of year. Exercising not only allows you to take time away from the books, but it also releases endorphins, which are stress-relieving hormones. Especially now that it’s starting to warm up outside, it’s a perfect time to get out there and get active.
Meditation
During AP season, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce. However, practicing meditation can be a grounding experience which can help increase self-awareness and help you find mindfulness even in stressful times like AP season. Not only does it give you a break from reality, but it also gives you another way to train your mind and be aware of what you are feeling.
Deep Breathing
Sounds cliche, but it works! Deep breathing doesn’t take much time and it is a great way to relieve stress. By allowing more oxygen to get to the body, it can help calm your nerves and reduce stress and anxiety.
Reduce Caffeine Intake
It’s easy to turn to caffeine during AP season in order to stay awake longer, however, it can have negative effects on your health. By allowing yourself to stay awake for extended periods of time, the body releases cortisol, which induces stress. Reducing caffeine intake can reduce the release of cortisol, which can help not only reduce stress, but also help you to fall asleep faster and get more effective rest. Without the extra cortisol keeping you up, it may be easier to get a more effective sleep.
Sleep
We all knew it was coming. Sleep deprivation is a serious issue, and as stated above, it can cause an increased release of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Being constantly exhausted can mess with your circadian rhythm and make it difficult to stay awake or focus during the day. Getting enough sleep is a huge factor in being able to focus and do well. Even though it may seem like it’s better to stay up for a few more hours per night, it’ll come back to bite you in the end.
AP week is perhaps one of the most stressful times during the school year. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry and let anxiety take over, however, it’s important to step back and make sure you’re doing what’s best for you. Managing stress is important, but the process may be different from person to person. Take a few deep breaths, get in a few good bites, and just remember: you know more than you think you do.
Good luck on your exams!
