Top 5 tips to help your Child deal with Exam Stress

From seeking admission in the best possible school to getting the best grades to choosing the right career path by appearing for the best board, medical or engineering entrance exam coaching, parents and kids these days are under tremendous pressure. The different boards of education across the globe, from CBSE to GCSE, they all can be nightmarish for parents as well as kids. The most challenging part of the school life for both parents and children is board exams.

What is Stress?

Stress is a state of mental or emotional tension resulting from demanding circumstances. The effects of stress are reflected through the attitude of a child. Feeling sick, irritable, loss of appetite, etc are all signs created by the chemical Imbalance caused by stress. Children often find it difficult to recognize when they are experiencing stress. Let’s find out more signs and symptoms and the various ways to deal with stress.

Identify Stress Signs and symptoms in Children:

• Sudden mood swing
• Throwing tantrums and complaining all the time
• Disturbed sleep pattern
• Do not feel hungry
• Developing unhealthy eating habits
• Sudden hostile treatment or showing anger towards family members

How to Help your child Deal with Stress?

1. Interact as much as possible

One thing that really works is to talk to your child as much as possible without wasting any time. Discuss things with your child.  After each exam, encourage your child to talk it through with you. Motivate them to do well in the next exam.  They might start feeling low on confidence and say stupid things to themselves. This is where you need to play an important role in not letting them feel bad. Hear them out and encourage them. Tell them about their awesome moments and how they made you feel proud. Remind them of their positive points.

2. Offer to help

Just before the exam or a day prior to the exam, be positive and get your kids to feel the same. Try revising things with them.

3. Encourage exercise/ yoga/ meditation

A healthy and active kid tends to focus better. So, ensure your kid is active. Certain exercises and meditation can really relax the kids. It also boosts up your energy level and clears the mind from a cluttered thinking. Encourage them to wake up early and take out time for some kind of physical activity like brisk walk, cycling, swimming, etc.

 4. Prepare light, healthy and delicious food

Stress can have an adverse effect on your child’s appetite and skipping meals will only worsen the situation. As a parent, you can prepare light, healthy meals which are high on energy, but low on salt and sugar. From whole grains and seeds to tomatoes and sage, make sure you are feeding your little ones with good food. Stock your kitchen with healthy snacking options such as baked beans, oat bars, sprouts, vegetable soups, fresh sandwiches and more.

5. Indulge in fun things after exams

Some of the best activities to do with kids after they have come back writing an exam is to treat them. Take them out to their favorite restaurant. These can be a real encouragement for the next time they have an exam.

Now, there is no more asking yourself about how to deal with school stress. Hope these tips will prove out to be really effective in dealing with stress and anxiety in your kids and help them with their exam preparation. Here is wishing you good luck for a healthy life ahead.