Breathe and stretch as you study: Breathing techniques are one of the quickest and easiest ways to relieve tension in the body and calm the mind. By taking deliberately deep, slow breaths the body undergoes a relaxation response: the heart rate slows, muscles relax and blood pressure drops.
Become a pro at time management: To get the most out of your study time and make it as stress-free as possible, creating a study timetable is essential. Planning your studying a week or month in advance is ideal.
Cut out distractions: Social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter are not only hugely distracting when you’re supposed to be working, but studies have shown they can make us feel stressed or experience ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) if we spend too long browsing them.
Take breaks outside: It can be tempting to hibernate in your university accommodation or even study from the comfort of your bed. However, research shows that simply being outside lowers stress levels, even after just five minutes in the open air.
Get your heart pumping: Not only will regular exercise relieve stress but it can also improve concentration and mental awareness – two things that are vital while studying for your degree.
Talk it out: When you’re feeling pent up and anxious about your studies and exams, the pressure can feel overwhelming. A really great way to get a handle on the situation is to talk to your peers about what you are going through.
Make bedtime a priority: This one isn’t going to be easy since you are a student and all, but going to bed at roughly the same time every night is a fail-safe way to improve the quality of your sleep.
Get your study snacks right: Studies have proven without a doubt that certain foods can help relieve stress and anxiety. If you are feeling overwhelmed while staring at your revision notes, consuming food and drinks that are high in sugar or caffeine will only heighten your stress.