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Stress is incredibly common nowadays, especially among students.
If you’re under stress when studying, you can find it hard to focus, memorize, and retain what you’ve learned.
So this begs the question: how to reduce stress when studying?
Here are 10 tested ideas.
#1 Take Breaks Every Hour or So
Some of us try to study as long as possible without taking breaks, but is this smart? It may not be! You should strategically implement short recharge moments between your study sessions. For every hour or so of focused studying, take a break to recharge. Go outside. Take a walk in nature. Do your workout. Stretch. Skipping these critical recharge moments will only make you burn the candle on both ends. You’ll deplete your mental “RAM” much quicker and get half as much done.
#2 Go to Bed Early the Night Before
It’s no secret that sleep is vital for us. You see, sleep affects pretty much all bodily functions, our brain especially. It significantly affects memory, focus, and mood. All of which are key to a stress-free study session. The truth is, pulling those all-nighters will only make you more stressed. Instead, it’s better to get quality sleep on time, then study the next day when you’re refreshed.
#3 Eat Food That Relieves Stress and Nourishes Memory
Pizza and Cola may taste great, but perhaps it’s better to save them for when you’re done studying. See, foods with a lot of sugar and trans fats are the worst for your mental state. (1) Not only will they spike your blood sugar levels, making you feel moody and tired. But will also have a negative impact on your memory. Eating lean proteins, good fats, and slow-releasing carbs is a smarter choice for keeping your stress levels down.
#4 Plan Your Studying Sessions in Advance
When you plan your study sessions in advance, you are in charge of how things pan out. You know the exact time when to start studying, when to take a break, and when to finish everything. Planning takes all the guesswork out of the picture.
On the other hand, when you try to wing it, you often end up procrastinating and not getting nearly as much done. And in the end, you realize you’ve wasted so much time and become stressed out about it. But what if it didn’t have to be so complicated?
Here’s the good news: it doesn’t need to be. All you have to do is open the calendar on your computer or phone, mark the hours when you plan to study, and stick to that schedule. It sounds really simple, yet rarely anyone does it nowadays.
#5 Cut Out Distractions
Distractions lead to stress when you’re trying to concentrate on studying. Here’s the deal: smartphones, TVs, other people, and even music can all be distractions. Distraction leads to unproductivity and frustration. A better idea is to turn off that smartphone. Tell everyone that you’re unavailable while you study. And focus on studying, and studying alone.
#6 Exercise Between Study Sessions
Exercise boosts your cerebral blood flow, it improves brain function, and helps you remember information better. Yet very few of us exercise regularly. Luckily, you don’t need to be a gym expert to reap the benefits of exercise. Simply go for a run during your study break, or take a long walk. Just this short period of activity will help your brain concentrate better when you get back to studying. Not to mention the reduction in stress you’ll experience from exercise. (2)
#7 Focus on Your Breath For 5 Minutes
Another effective method to reduce stress when studying is to take a 5-minute break to focus on your breath. Notice the rising and falling sensation of your breaths. This is a form of meditation which is shown to boost focus, enhance memory, and most importantly, reduce stress. (3)
#8 Take Anti-Stress Herbs & Supplements
There’s no magic pill for beating stress – but certain nootropics come close. See, nootropics are also known as brain enhancers. These supplements use herbs, mushrooms, and other natural ingredients to enhance your cognition, resilience to stress, and overall mood. Currently, the most effective nootropic formulas we’ve reviewed include Performance Lab Mind and Mind Lab Pro. They contain proven ingredients that boost your mental performance safely and efficiently. And they reduce stress, too.
#9 Talk to Someone
Talking it out is sometimes the simplest way to release the tension that comes with studying. Tell your peers about the pressure you’ve been feeling. Perhaps they feel the same way. A problem shared, a problem halved. It’s likely you’ll feel better just by verbalizing your worries and stressors.
#10 Prioritize Studying Over Everything Else
Sometimes stress isn’t under your control, but sometimes it is. Taking charge over certain parts of your life can help you remove the cause of stress. For example, saying “no” when it’s appropriate. If you’re already busy studying, taking on more than you can handle can make you stressed out. Being smart about choosing what to do, and when to do it, can reduce the load and relieve tension.
Conclusion
While stress from studying is common, there are many easy ways to relieve it.
These methods often include removing the source of stress.
Taking study breaks, going to bed early the night before, exercising often, and planning your study sessions ahead are all effective ways to deal with stress – and improve your studying experience with it.