Big exams can make anyone anxious. There is a lot of pressure to perform well on exams like the SAT and ACT. This pressure can add to stress and anxiety and when not addressed properly, it can prevent you from performing your best. Try these tips to relieve any exam anxiety you might be feeling.
Go For a Walk
Being outside in nature and the simple act of exercise can help you calm down. Movement, wind, green, and air can all help relieve stress and help your brain focus on the task at hand. You can make it a habit to go for a brisk walk before studying for an exam. You can even squeeze in an early morning walk on exam day to relieve some tension.
Aromatherapy
Scents can help you calm down. It is easy to put on some lotion, light a candle or put some essential oil in a diffuser before sitting down to study. Lavender is a scent that is especially known for calming and relaxation. An article from the Huffington Post also cites studies that have found Bergamot Oil lowers the heart rate, relieves stress and lowers blood pressure. You may not want to use a scent on exam day, but you can carry a small bottle of essential oil with you and breathe it in right before the exam.
Write It Down
Sometimes just the act of writing down our anxieties can help remove them from our brain. Writing down everything about the exam that makes you feel nervous can relieve stress. Practice this several times while studying for the exam. You can also write out anxieties quickly as they enter your mind during the exam. Writing it down should prevent you from dwelling on the anxiety.
Breathe
It is impossible to emphasize enough how much deep breathing can help relieve stress. This simple tool resets your entire body. It helps eliminate stress and recenters your focus and concentration. It only takes a few seconds to do and can be done anywhere at any time.
Practice using these tools to help eliminate exam anxiety. You can’t show up to the exam full of anxiety and expect these tools to work, having never used them before. When you have practiced and have worked to keep your stress levels low, it is likely that these tools will help relieve anxiety on exam day so that you can perform your best.
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