Healthy Body, Healthy Mind!

“Exams are stress free”- said no one ever. Constant studying often leads to neglecting our health, we find ourselves pulling all-nighters, surviving on coffee and instant food becomes our best friend.

Just the thought of going to the gym or even getting fresh air becomes too time consuming, right? That being said, one needs to be relaxed during exams and not put more strain on their body and mind.

Here are few tips that you can follow to become more productive during exams.

GOOD FOOD, GOOD MOOD

(Yes I know, you’ve heard it a million times)

This is not brand-new information, but have you been following it? No, right? Cutting out the junk and only eating honest to goodness, nutritious food will not only help you stay fit but will also help in concentrating better.

If you have to snack then be a super snacker, go for fruits like bananas, blueberries or unsalted nuts and seed packs. There are loads of options and they don’t have to cost the earth and most importantly, get your day off to a positive start by having a breakfast.

WATER IS KEY!

It's shocking how many health benefits water can bring – this is definitely a necessity during exam season, especially if you're turning to alternatives like caffeine or pop. Staying hydrated can prevent headaches, reduce soreness and a multitude of other things, so make sure you have a water bottle beside you at all times!

CATCH PLENTY OF ZZZ’S!

Don’t aim to be the “master of all-nighters”. While this may be your "style of studying" it could be doing so much more harm than good. Sacrificing sleep for late-night cramming isn’t a good habit to keep, even if you want to be more prepared for your exam.

Sleeping between 7 and 9 hours per night can have positive impact on ALL aspects of your health, this includes your ability to study! For example, getting enough sleep can actually help boost your memory. As we sleep, our brain goes through our impressions of the day, which is an important part of the memory formation process - and it goes without saying that you should try to get a full night’s rest before an exam.

GET MOVING & STRETCH

Even a little exercise will help you with your studies. You’ll get your heart rate up and stretch out your muscles. If you’ve been hunched over a desk for several hours a day you’ll relish getting to stretch out your back and straighten up.

During the exam period, it is tempting to skip your usual exercise activities in order to maintain your energy and give you more study time. However, scientists argue that exercise is beneficial for brain activity as it promotes blood flow around the body, including in the brain. Try to do a few activities each day, like walking, cycling, jogging, climbing stairs, yoga or anything else.

TAKE BREAKS!!

One of the most inefficient things you can do while revising is to force yourself to study for ten hours straight with no breaks. Not only does your health suffer, but it is also much harder to soak in the information you're reading (which is the most important thing - don't forget!).

I hope these tips have helped you and just think about that HUGE sigh of relief you will exhale when you finally walk out of your last exam!

Good luck!

#examtips #TCDFitblog