With the Covid-19 cases reaching new highs every day, the exams for which we have been studying for a year or two, getting canceled and postponed so many times have added to our stress levels to reach their peak. It becomes difficult to study amidst this chaos only to have our exams postponed again, doesn’t it? The uncertainty surrounding these exams can make it tougher to concentrate and give our best. This can lead to anxiety, frustration, alleviate stress levels, and other mental health concerns which can further lead to unhealthy coping habits like binge-eating or undereating, and oversleeping, and insomnia, if not taken care of.
How do I stop myself from going into this spiral?
Start meditating and exercising to gain clarity and feel ‘in control’ of your day-to-day activities.
Create a routine or a time-table to gain a sense of being in place. It might be difficult at first, but make sure you try every day.
Take appropriate breaks while studying and stretch your body. Try to not use any electronic gadgets and just ‘be’ by noticing the rhythm of your breaths, mindfully.
Eat healthy food like green leafy vegetables and fruits.
Try to focus on quality-based study and not quantity-based study.
Practice self-care! - Try writing down all your thoughts on paper, try mindfulness exercises like grounding, take a warm bath while feeling the fragrance of scented candles.
Try to keep your studying space and sleeping place different. This helps in training your brain as to when it should be active for studying and when it should rest.
Reach out for social support. Covid-19 has made us stick in our house, which can lead to unintentional isolation. It is necessary to communicate with people and seek social support.
Try making time to build yourself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Instead of drowning in disappointments that this pandemic has brought with it, in terms of your future plans like internships, going to college and other important events, celebrate small achievements to honor what you have achieved.
Focus on what you can control and what is in your hands.
Do the best you can each day. Remember that every day your ‘best’ will be different, depending on the situation.
Don’t compare your accomplishments with others’ accomplishments. You are here, right now, breathing, living, and growing - this is your biggest accomplishment and I am proud of you.
I understand the fear you may have about the upcoming exams. Statements like, “What if my exam gets canceled?”, “What if I don't perform well?”, can be replaced with statements like, “My exam getting canceled is not in my hands. What is in my hands is how hard I am working and I will focus on that”, “I am doing the best I can, owing to the current circumstances and will, therefore, give my best.” Having said this, I would urge you, the reader of this blog, to take a deep breath in and a deep breath out, focus on what you can control, and continue to give your best like you are doing right now. All the best!
Your mental health matters as much as your physical health. Don't hesitate to take a step towards your mental well-being. If you’re looking at talking to a professional, book your Initial Consultation with us on https://www.themoodspace.com/freeconsultation or write to us at info@themoodspace.com. Take a step towards bettering your mental wellbeing because you deserve it!
Written by - Mahika Solanki