It’s exam season in May with SATS – GCE and GCSE all looming.
This can be a stressful time for parents and students alike.
The pressure is on to hit those grades but did you know that your diet and lifestyle can affect your exam performance?
Streatham fitness expert Donna Noble says the right nutrition and exercise plans can energize your mind and body to sustain you through the long revision hours – sharpen your memory, improve concentration and boost confidence.
However the wrong dietary choices can potentially put you at a disadvantage.
Donna says, “Food and drink can have a huge effect on your body and mind, choose the wrong meals and you can become sluggish and tired, but if you give your brain the right nutrients, you will be able to think quicker, have a better memory, be better coordinated and have improved concentration.”
“The key to boosting your brainpower and keeping your brain healthy are nutritious foods, water and oxygen.”
- Stay Away From Caffeine
Drinking energy drinks like Red Bull or high amounts of tea and coffee will give you a short burst of energy but will burn out and give you a sugar crash.
- Keep Your Body Hydrated
Herbal drinks and water hydrate your brain and gets it to function at optimum level, delivering nutrients to the brain and eliminating toxins. It is essential for concentration and mental alertness.
- Avoid Snacking On Junk Food Or Ordering Takeaways
A lot of students will make this mistake because they spend lots of time on food preparation, but these quick fixes are just short cuts to failure. A long exam is like a mental marathon so endurance is crucial and having the right diet is a no-brainer.
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Cramming a week’s worth of revision into one night is never a good idea. You’ll get much more benefit from a solid 8 hours sleep
- Exercise
Exercise can help boost energy levels, clear the mind and relieve stress. Steps need to be taken to reduce the stress and it has been observed that yoga can help a lot. Deep breathing can be the ultimate stress buster. Whenever you feel stressed or anxious during exams, just close your eyes and take several long deep breaths. Ensure that you inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. You will find the nervousness dissipate in no time.
