Studying and learning new skills can be exciting and fun, but the pressure of getting a good grade can be stressful. Stress is a normal part of life, but excessive stress can negatively affect your health and mood, so it’s essential to learn how to manage it properly.
Each year, on the 1st of November, International Stress Awareness Day is dedicated to highlighting the impact of stress and the importance of managing it effectively.
In honour of Stress Awareness Day, here are the Skills Centre’s top 5 tips to help reduce stress while studying!
1. Take breaks regularly.
It can be hard to concentrate on the same thing for an extended period of time, so make sure to give yourself short breaks regularly. When you do have a break, make sure you give your brain and body an actual rest; get your eyes off the screen and have a snack or a cup of tea, do some stretches, or go out for a short stroll.
2. Get enough rest.
It sounds like a no-brainer, but rest is super important when trying to focus and succeed in your studies. While sleeping, your brain slows down and processes all the information you learned during the day, so a good night’s sleep is key! Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep a night, and try breathing exercises, a shower or bath, or drinking chamomile tea before bed to help you sleep better.
3. Exercise and maintain a healthy diet.
When studying, we often sit down for long periods, which isn’t great for our bodies. Exercise helps to boost blood flow to the brain, helping you feel more focused. It increases your overall health, boosts your endorphins (your feel-good hormones), and enables you to sleep better. In conjunction with exercise, eating a healthy diet full of whole grains, fresh vegetables, and protein will help you stay full and focus on your courses (instead of your grumbling tummy!).
4. Avoid distractions.
Switch off your phone or switch it to silent while you’re studying. We all know too well how “I’ll quickly check this notification” can turn into a never-ending social media binge, so limit your phone use in class.
5. Ask for help if you need it.
Nobody is expected to understand everything straight away, especially when you’re soaking in hours of new information, so don’t worry if you have lots of questions. Our trainers are friendly and always happy to explain things further, so don’t be afraid to ask them if you need extra clarification! Questions and discussions are always encouraged during our Skills Centre courses.
