KEEPING HEALTHY DURING EXAMS

  1. Breakfast.It's a cliché, but breakfast really IS the most important meal of the day. Your body has been starved of food all night while you sleep and you need to refuel to prepare for the school day ahead.
  2. Treats.It's fine to provide small treats by way of encouragement - perhaps a piece of cake or some biscuits after a chunk of revision has been completed.
  3. Don’t forget to sleep! Last minute cramming may be your style of studying, but please don’t do it at the cost of a good night’s sleep. The last thing you want to be is groggy and unfocussed during the actual exam. Make sure you sleep the night before the exam to be able to give it your best
  4. Eat small and frequent meals - Heavy meals tend to slow you down – a scenario you certainly don’t want to be in during your exams. Eat lighter meals and at smaller intervals to stay fresh and focussed. This will also help reduce acidity, which tends to shoot up with anxiety.
  5. Stock up on proteins and vitamins. A healthy diet of green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits will help you stay alert. Avoid carbonated drinks and do not overdo the caffeine.
  6. Try simple meditation techniques. Deep breathing and meditating can help you tackle the anxiety that comes with taking exams. Ask an expert to teach you simple exercises to tide you through the exam period.
  7. Get physical. Another way to reduce exam related stress to is to exercise or play a sport at some point in your day. It’ll be a welcome distraction and help you feel refreshed enough to hit those books again.
  8. Keep yourself cool and hydrated. Now that we’re well into March, the mercury has started spiking in many parts of the country. Ensure you’re studying in a cool environment and don’t forget to sip on water and other fluids to stay hydrated.
  9. Avoid too much TV. You may be tempted to watch television as a way to unwind. However, you’ll be better off listening to music, reading a magazine or book or chatting with a friend. This is because instead of refreshing your mind, TV tends to dull your senses.
  10. Dude, chewable Vitamin C is not a meal.Dietary supplementsare good, but real food is better. An orange contains not only Vitamin C, but also fibre, beta carotene and other minerals — so it can’t be replaced by a pill. When you’re heading for the library, pack whole-food items like apples, bananas, clementines, carrot sticks or dried apricots.
  11. Going bananas? Good.Fruit ranks high among thebest foods you can eatfor your brain.Blueberries(which can be bought frozen in bags) get a lot of attention because they contain powerful antioxidants and other nutrients. Thenatural sugarsin fruit offer clean energy, so you don’t experience the crash that follows consumption of refined sugar.
  12. Smart snacking can enhance studying.Snack smartwhile studying and you may find that you retain more. Try to get two food groups into your snacks to balance the nutrients and keep your blood-sugar level stable. Some smart snack examples are banana with peanut butter, a smallbaked potatowith cottage cheese, or anEnglish muffin pizza.
  13. Avoid brain blocking beverages.Avoid alcohol completely on exam day. Obviously, you cannot do well on an exam if you are drunk, have a headache, or are feeling nauseous. In general, reduce your drinking around exam time to avoid hangovers, dullness, or excessive fatigue.
  14. Balance – Maintain a balance in your life. You still need time to socialise, relax, exercise and maintain your other interests.