Students across the country are approaching the time of the year when the board exams are looming around the corner. Now it is a season of study and leaves. So it is quite common to experience stress. Sometimes the pressure can be too much. However, there are certain ways to stay calm and focused during your studies without any stress. And the one way is through is a healthy diet. Yes, you got it right – healthy diet.
Food is something which is often put on the back seat during the exams and students usually, lock themselves behind closed doors. And many feel that the time consumed for eating could be wasted as far as their studies are concerned. But this is one the reasons why stress gets increased. There are few foods they are not just nutritious or healthy but can also help you to become calmer and to concentrate better.
Renowned Dietitian in Delhi, Avni Kaul shares diet tips to reduce exam stress in students. Here they are.
Do Not Skip Meals
Skipping meals is very unhealthy. But during exams, skipping meals can lead to irritability, illness and low energy. Thus it is important to eat all your meals and eat them on time. You should plan your meals around your study schedule and make sure that you eat foods that help you remain energized.
Eat Healthy Snacks
Always keep some stock of healthy snacks, like almonds, roasted fox nuts (makhana) , unsalted pistachios, peanuts, and roasted sunflower or flax seeds, in your room. In case you feel hungry or drained, just have a handful of these healthy snacks for an energy boost.
Try To Eat Fresh
Look to include as many fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Make sure you eat freshly prepared meals. These will provide your body with the essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and will also help you stay satiated for longer period of time. Avoid eating greasy or junk foods, as they can make you feel heavy and uncomfortable and hamper your concentration.
Look To Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated. Keep a sipper or water bottle on your study desk and carry it around with you. You might want to add some lemon slices, refreshing mint leaves or glucose in your water, to enhance its hydrating properties. This is very important as this is the time when the season is on the verge of change and your body might get dehydrated easily.
Eating small portions at regular intervals is as important as managing your time and staying in a good frame of mind.
Do Some Exercise Or Physical Activity
Make a point to engage yourself in some exercise or physical activity. During exercise, there is a release of some Neurotransmitters -Serotonin and Dopamine. Serotonin helps you in regulating your Circadian rhythms. It also helps you in regulating your sleep. So when you get a sound sleep your stress levels will naturally go down. Serotonin is good for boosting memory and Dopamine improves attention. When they combine it influences the learning in a positive manner. Overall benefits of exercising are that it improves attention span and cognitive functioning which enables students to focus and study for a larger period of time. You do not need to exercise for a long duration or go to the gym. Even 30 minutes of exercise would be sufficient. You can do them whenever you get some time from your studies or tuition classes. You can go for cycling, skipping, jogging or simply de-stress yourself playing with pets in case you have them or view the nature and its surroundings.
