COVID-19 has gotten everyone on nerves! Students are not spared! Thousands of students who registered for SAT, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, and other professional exams, are stressed out because the exams are cancelled. Although these closures are for their good, students feel mentally drained and have only one question in mind; Now what?

Preparing for exams is a tough task to do during COVID-19. Most of us have burnt the midnight oils and have made lots of sacrifices to achieve something this big. Therefore, not being able to perform after all the hard work is quite frustrating. However, it is extremely essential to handle this stress in times of pandemic. Let’s find out how!

 

Understand That Anxiety Is Natural

It is very important to understand that it is completely natural to feel stressed and anxious during unfavorable times. One should never look down upon oneself for feeling low. Feeling stressed is our body’s natural phenomenon for survival in unfavorable conditions. Therefore, don’t stress about feeling stressed!

 

Stay Optimistic and Love Yourself

To survive happily in this world, it is crucial to develop positive self-concept. Even if you are not able to achieve your target because of the lockdown, believe that good days are yet to come. During this time, don’t forget to take care of your mental health. Don’t forget that you are worthy of love and care!

 

Distract Yourself

If your brain is forcing you to overthink, the best way is to distract it. There are a lot of indoor activities to choose from! Watch movies and TV series you’ve put on hold since long. Take new courses. Learn new skills. Stay productive!

 

Exercise and Yoga

Exercise and yoga stimulate your brain to release endorphins, hormones that help relieve stress. Regular exercise is extremely essential for a healthy body and mind. It also helps reduce cortisol, the main stress hormone, and lets us sleep well. Sleep away all the anxiety!

 

Spend Time with Family

Quarantine is the best time to spend time with family! When we spend time with those we love, our body releases the stress relieving hormone, oxytocin. The effect of oxytocin on our mood is opposite to that of the stress hormones. 

 

Heal Yourself with Music

Surprisingly, listening to specific genres in music can help us relax and feel stress-free. When we listen to soft and instrumental music, our muscles and mind relax, heart rate and blood pressure decrease and stress hormones decline. As a result, we feel calm!

 

So, why are you stressing out? Try these simple yet effective strategies to cope up in times like these!

 

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470361/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894461/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30908775/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4498975/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5072238/

 

 

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