5 foods to kill anxiety before exams

Ankit’s  Blog Entry:

I realised the pressure of exams for the first time when I entered Class X. The pressure of clearing the board exams set in a different type of panic and anxiety. Today I am 18 years old and will be appearing for the HSC examinations in March 2017 but the anxiety constantly persists.

Just like him, most students experience some degree of anxiety before board or other entrance exams. For others, exam anxiety can affect their system in a big way from gastric disturbances like diarrhoea and nausea to severe panic states where the student may go blank as soon as exam starts.

Trust us, we have all been there. The trick is to stay calm while you are preparing for the big day. Apart from revising notes and keeping your cool during the preparatory period, eating proper food before an exam is equally important too. To help deal with anxiety before exam, we have compiled a list of the the best 5 foods that help in overcoming anxiety before D-Day.

• Nuts

Every nut has something to offer in terms of nutrients that make them little energy packets. They are easy to eat just the way they are, or can be generously added to any dish like a quick salad which is light on the stomach and equally filling.

• Apples

Why indeed, an apple a day can definitely keep your memory doctor away. Apples are loaded with acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps increase sensory perception and movement. They are also known to provide anxiety relief. A research showed that students eating apple at lunch had improved test scores in their afternoon exams.

• Yogurt

Exam anxiety definitely gives one an uneasy gut feeling. The bad bacteria overreact that gives the nausea and vomiting episodes before exams. Yogurt contains probiotic bacteria that helps to maintain the normal flora of the intestine and is also a great food providing essential nutrition for the brain.

• Eggs

Eggs provide the highest influx of proteins, fats and vitamin B12. An egg a day can keep you full for longer hours, improves brain development and improves mental alertness, provides energy and increases cognitive function. The greater mental alertness will help you keep your attention up during the exams, preventing silly mistakes that are bound to happen by the smartest students during stress.

• Spinach

Although spinach is not a food that would normally be considered for anxiety relief, but this superstar leafy veggie will surely surprise you. Packed with magnesium which helps reduce cortisol levels, a hormone that increases anxiety. It is also a healthy food for the brain as it also contains high levels of folate. Toss in some spinach leaves with eggs for a scrumptious and a filling breakfast on the day of the exam or toss in a salad to keep the jitters away.

Always remember to go easy on foods before any exams. Try frequent meals with small portions to ease out the anxiety. That way the brain and the stomach are well attended to, so that you can concentrate on the books.

Want to know more about foods to help with anxiety? Speak to our nutritionist on Visitapp.

Related article : Dealing with Entrance Exams Results’ Stress

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