It’s exam time during May with SATS, GCE and GCSE’s all looming and 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?
Health expert Donna Noble from The Noble Art of Yoga and Wellbeing says the right nutrition and exercise plans can energise your mind and body to get you through revision time and sharpen your memory, improve concentration and boost confidence.
However, the wrong dietary and lifestyle choices can potentially put you at a disadvantage.
Donna says, “Diet will 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 fuel, you will be able to think quicker, have a better memory and have improved concentration.”
“The key to boosting your energy and keeping your concentration levels up 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 And Ordering Takeaways
A lot of students can fall prey to this mistake because they are so busy revising they run out of time to buy and prepare food in advance. 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, Without physical and mental rest our mental concentration becomes compromised. Doing some light yoga exercises like 5 – 6 rounds of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) is an excellent form of exam preparation.
The yogic practice of deep breathing (pranayama breathing) can also be a great stress reliever. Whenever you feel anxious, just close your eyes and take several long deep breaths. Inhaling and exhaling through the nose.
