Saturday, April 26, 2014

How to Manage Stress During Finals


It’s that time of the semester again! As finals are only a week away, it is important to find healthy and positive ways to manage the stress that at this time of the year can become quite inevitable. An extreme amount of stress can have an affect on your health so here are certain tips to help your ability to cope!

Exercise! Research shows that exercise can help benefit your mind and body. That is, take a relaxing walk, run or swim to help relieve any stress that you may be feeling. Go for a bike ride or try going to the gym. After exercising, you may feel relaxed and energized and this sort of effect can last you for several hours. Furthermore, any physical activity will strengthen your body and help you to be more resistant to stress. Also, attempt to more eat fresh foods and less caffeine and junk food. This will help you to think more clearly!

Sleep! Although it seems impossible, regarding the fact that you have so much studying to get done, be sure to get a good 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Sleeping 3-4 hours will do you no good and have you anxious and emotional instead. 
Find support. You are not alone! Sharing your feelings with another person helps alleviate some of the stress you may be sensing. Call a friend, text a friend. Share your concerns to someone you trust and will not put more stress on you. Talking about it and letting your feelings out is one way to manage the stress.

Be positive. A few days to study a semester’s worth of learning may seem overwhelming. However, having the right mindset with you will leave you with more positive results. Tell yourself you can do it, be confident and know that there is a light at the end of every tunnel. Try organizing a to-do list or planner and reward yourself after accomplishing anything on that list. This will keep you going!
Meditate. Relaxing and focusing on you can be quite beneficial. This type of exercise will allow you to take a lot of deep breaths, which will help calm you. Meditation is simply one out of many ways to help keep the mind and body relaxed and focused. While meditating, you will release emotions that have been causing the body even more stress.

And lastly,

Have fun. Do not forget to smile and laugh! Staying up ‘till four at the PCL does not have to be the end of the world. Try listening to your favorite artist while you study and lift your mood. Take breaks once in a while and go down to the drag for a study break and/or simply do something that will you keep your mind off your studying at least for a while. Sometimes all it takes is watching a funny You-Tube clip to have you laughing. These are always great, healthy ways to de-stress.
With these said, toughen up future dentists! Find ways to manage your stress and do not forget all your hard work will pay off in the end. Good luck and study hard!


Bianca Chavez

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