It's that time of year again - HSC is about to begin. You may be feeling a number of emotions, from excitement due to finishing your schooling and entering a new world, to stress and anxiety as you prepare for your exams. The good news is, preparation is key, and we have put together our best tips to help you get through this challenging time. Keep your mind and body healthy so you can perform your best and recall information during exams. You can do it!

Here are 8 Top Tips for HSC Success:

1. Drink enough water - One of the best things you can do for yourself is to keep hydrated.  A dehydrated brain just doesn’t work, and can result in stress. Keep a bottle of water with you as you study and remember to drink regularly throughout the day.  Add some of your favourite fruit to make it more enjoyable. Aim for two litres per day. Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/stress-sleep-mood/stress/stress-and-hydration-is-there-a-link/
2. Try regular meditation - Taking the time to meditate is a worthwhile investment as it saves time wasted in worry.  Studies have shown again and again that meditation helps to reduce anxiety, improve sleep and overall health. Mindfulness meditation can also improve memory. Meditation doesn’t have to be time consuming and ritualistic, just take a few minutes to focus on your natural breath is a good starting point.  Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/stress-sleep-mood/mindfulness/mindfulness-a-boost-for-your-social-emotional-and-physical-life/
3. Exercise daily - You don’t have to spend money or time on a personal trainer, just take the dog for a walk.  You could even do a moving meditation where you focus on one step at a time, letting all other thoughts go as you walk. Don’t make it complicated, HSC is already doing that to you! Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/heart-health/stroke/can-exercise-help-to-reduce-stress/
4. Use essential oils to boost concentration and memory - Studies show that essential oils can help with memory and concentration.  The trick is in how you use your oils! It can be tempting to use relaxing oils because you are stressed, and there is a time for that.  Did you know that essential oils can also help with memory formation and recall?  Using essential oils that help focus (rather than sending you to sleep during study time), and using a different scent for each subject while you are studying means you can then use that scent to help your recall.  Essential oils to try include: peppermint, rosemary, spearmint, lemon and basil - use individually or in combinations to make a unique scent for each subject. Remember to change the scent when you change the subject being studied. Then drop just a little of that scent onto something you are taking into the exam with you (tissue, sleeve, pencil) to help recall.  Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/chemical-free/aromatherapy/stress-busting-with-essential-oils-and-aromatherapy/
5. Fish oils help brains work better - The DHA component of Omega-3 from fish oil has shown to improve learning and memory. The brain needs good fats to function, and to get enough in your diet, a good quality supplement is recommended. Quality is important to ensure a low level of toxicity as well as good manufacturing to maintain the benefits without the bad taste. The Mr Vitamins team are happy to guide your selection of a quality fish oil. Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/fats-and-oils/omega-3/fish-oil-helping-childrens-learning-development/
6. Gratitude - take a break from the stress and remember to be happy. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to note down things that are going well, when you might otherwise spend the day feeling overwhelmed and stressed.  Focus on the good things, being grateful and choose to be happy as this can help with better sleep, better moods, better health and better grades! If this isn’t enough to help you overcome your study stress, come in and ask the team about natural remedies that can help.  Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/heart-health/heart-disease/gratitude-is-linked-to-a-healthier-heart-and-more/
7. Get a good night’s sleep, every night! - Stress causes sleep problems, and sleep problems cause stress.  Plan your study and stick to the plan, don’t give up sleep to ‘catch up’ on a subject because you are feeling anxious.  There are herbs to help with stress and sleep, a simple starting point could be Bach Rescue Sleep. This simple little remedy can help to get you past that busy mind that keeps you awake.  If that isn’t enough to put you to sleep, consider a seeing one of the Practitioners in Mr Vitamins Wellbeing Clinics. Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/stress-sleep-mood/sleep/11-signs-need-sleep/
8. Good nutrition or supplements? - Nutrition is the fuel the body runs on, getting the right fuel helps optimum function. Vegetables are great nutrition, sugar isn’t (you already knew that!).  But having said that, it’s about getting it right most of the time. Food cravings can be an indicator of nutritional deficiencies, e.g. craving chocolate could mean you need more magnesium. Its ok to give into food cravings in a moderate way, sometimes.  If it happens often, you might need supplements to address a deficiency. Just ask Mr Vitamins team of qualified Naturopaths, Nutritionists, Herbalists and Sports Specialists, we are here to help. Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/digestion/10-reasons-eat-vegetables/ and https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/nutrition/sugar/poor-cognition-yet-another-way-sugar-affects-brain/

On a final note, if life takes a wrong turn as it sometimes does, and gets in the way of your study plans, or on exam day.  Take some Rescue Remedy, breath and remember: “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” — A.A. Milne, Winne the Pooh All the best in your HSC!                  

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About Maria | Herbalist

Maria Mitchell is a qualified Herbalist and Aromatherapist with a special interest in Pain Relief, Sleep and Stress Management. You can learn more about Maria here Make an appointment with Maria

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References:

1. • http://success.oregonstate.edu/book/export/html/256
   • https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967
   • http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/stress-management-techniques-evidencebased-procedures-that-reduce-stress-and-promote-health.php?aid=3429
   • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2314808X16301890