Keep calm and don’t stress the exams

IN just a few days thousands of senior Noosa students will be hitting the books for their final exams.
With the lead-up to exams sometimes stressful, headspace has issued a timely reminder about the effects of anxiety during exam periods.
Anxiety affects many young people during exams and can be heightened as students wait for results and further education offers.
This period of waiting and worrying can affect a young person’s mental health and wellbeing and Headspace’s head of clinical practice Vikki Ryall said during this particular period anxiety can impact any young person, including those who are normally on top of life’s challenges.
“Anxiety becomes a problem when it occurs frequently, feels overwhelming and interferes with daily functioning,” Ms Ryall said. “For some people, if left untreated, anxiety disorders can develop into other mental health difficulties and can lead to disease, drug and alcohol misuse.”
Ms Ryall said people who believe they have an anxiety disorder should visit a doctor, or seek professional advice.
Hannah Cheers, 23, a headspace Youth National Reference Group member, has suffered anxiety but through guided self-help techniques has learnt how to help with her anxiety when it surfaces.
“I always try and keep in mind that there are reasons why you might be feeling anxious and those feelings are valid,” Hannah said.
“Using mindfulness, understanding your senses … doing something that makes you feel grounded can really help.”
Tips for helping with anxiety:
* Keep in touch with friends, even if it just a little bit every day.
* Do daily exercise – walking is a great way to clear your head.
* Eat a balanced diet.
* Try breathing exercises, mindfulness or guided relaxation.
* Find things that help de-stress you.
Anxiety is one of the two most common problems affecting young people and with one in five females and one in 10 males affected, parents are reminded to take the time to chat to their teens about their feelings throughout the stressful end-of-year period.