Studying hard can make us forget about the things that matter the most. For instance, our health. In those moments, it's critical to remember why you're studying in the first place.
You're doing it because you're hoping for a great career, which will allow you to have the necessary financial resources to live a "good" life. That could be exotic experiences, a beautiful family, a highly successful business, and so on.
Nevertheless, all the things you wish for cannot be experienced properly if you're unhealthy. Therefore, before you sacrifice your mind and body for a nasty exam, make sure you pay attention to the following healthy study tips:
Don't Neglect Sleep
The most important fuel for your mind and body is sleep. Sleep deprivation is a very common cause for bad health among students, especially because of its tricky nature. When you're sleep-deprived, you don't actually realize that something's wrong with you. You feel normal.
Nevertheless, your cognitive abilities decrease and your immune system is greatly affected. If you're wondering how to keep healthy during exams, the simplest answer is: get enough sleep. Make sure you go to bed to the same hour to get your body and mind used to a specific routine.
Pay Close Attention to Your Nutrition
"You are what you eat". If you love fast-food because it tastes good and it's often accessible, put a stop to it at least while you're studying for important exams.
Meat, sugar, and additives are your health's biggest enemies. Cigarettes, weed, and any other drug is another big "no-no", not just during study time but also in general.
Your nutrition defines your mood and emotions, as well as your general health. Don't be fooled to think that putting the "dead" food in your body is not going to affect you. Think smart, and play smart!
Improve Time Management to Reduce Stress
Stress management is one of today's most significant issues among students. Every single time you're stressed, your body is heavily affected. Your mind and body are interconnected. If you eat healthily, exercise often, and balance your life, your mind will have no trouble learning. Nevertheless, if you're constantly stressing, your body will feel immediate negative consequences.
Healthline provides a report in which it shows the most common negative effects of stress on the body:
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Headaches
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Tendencies to develop anxiety and depression
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Heartburn
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Insomnia
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Higher risks of heart attack
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Rapid breathing
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Weakened immune system
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High blood pressure
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High blood sugar
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Fertility problems
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Low sex drive and missed periods
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Tense muscles
You can avoid all these symptoms by staying mentally balanced. Remember: exams are merely tests that come and go. Your health is much more important. Nevertheless, getting professional writers for your essays is often a healthy choice, as long as the stress is overwhelming and the deadlines are closer than ever.
Exercise Daily
Studies after studies show that sport is critical to any person's wellbeing. If you're a student who's studying hard for exams, daily exercise will help you reduce stress, gain energy, and improve your cognitive capacities.
Many students have a block when it comes to physical exercise. The simplest way to break this barrier to health is to start small. Every morning right after you wake up, start your day with ten pushups, ten squats, and ten crunches. Do that for a week, and then raise the number to fifteen.
Exercising while doing study breaks is also extremely beneficial because by doing so, you are basically refreshing your brain while improving your blood flow. Both of these effects are critical to your health!
Meditate
Meditation is a trendy topic nowadays. Forget about crazy gurus, and forget about all the crazy spiritual persons you've seen on social media. Meditation has nothing to do with that.
To meditate means to realize that you are not your mind. When you do that, you can become the observer of your own thoughts and feelings.
During an overwhelming period of time, meditation can help you get rid of all the negative thoughts and feelings. It is also extremely beneficial for your brain's health, as well as for your body's performance. If you don't believe me, do your own research about the benefits.
Take Frequent Breaks
Don't forget to take breaks. Nothing comes good out of excess. You should avoid extremities and focus on balance. The Pomodoro technique (check that out) is an exceptional productivity system that works perfectly when you're studying intensively.
Simply put, you concentrate for 25 minutes straight, then you take a 5-minute break. This represents a cycle. You can perform as many cycles as you want as long as you respect the five-minute disconnection break. You can twist this powerful method the way you want!
Takeaways
How to stay healthy during exams? Simply follow this article's tips and guidelines and you'll be able to notice the amazing results in no time. The key is to be consistent while you avoid any exaggeration. Exercise, but don't waste all your energy. Take breaks, but balance the study sessions. Meditate, but don't lose your focus. Stay balanced and you will thrive!
About Author:
Robert Everett is a passionate nutritionist and academic tutor who's currently involved in three non-profit movements. His goal is to provide students with the necessary knowledge to thrive personally as well as professionally. In his free time, he studies psychology and philosophy.