Finals are approaching and the closer they get, the higher students’ stress levels get. Many students don’t know how to relax before their tests. However, relaxing isn’t the impossible task it seems to be. There are multiple fool-proof ways to calm down before entering a classroom to take a final.

Yoga is a great way to relax before any stressful event. While it may seem like a hassle that isn’t worth the time it takes, nothing could be further from the truth. A few minutes of yoga a day can decrease your stress level greatly.

When people think of yoga, they usually think of sun salutations in a boiling hot room, but it can be as simple as taking five minutes to breathe.

Becky Derosa, a yoga instructor at American Stars of Dance in Antioch, said, “Like exercising a muscle, you can exercise your body/mind connection to better manage stress.”
One exercise that helps relieve stress is to write in a journal right before a stressful event, such as finals. This isn’t like a diary; it is simply a list of things that are causing stress. By writing bad thoughts down, they are out of the way, allowing the brain to focus and think more clearly.

Another exercise to reduce stress is stretching. Even little exercises, such as rolling your shoulders or stretching your neck, helps relax your body and allows you to focus on the task at hand.

Another way to relax is working out. By working out, students are forcing their minds to wake up and think more clearly, instead of turning to caffeinated or sugary beverages.

Teri Klobnak, Physical Education teacher and Department Chair, said, “Natural ways to wake up [like working out] are a lot better.”

Working out also releases endorphins and helps build new brain cells. This allows you to think more clearly and improve your memory, which definitely help when it comes to taking a test.

According to Klobnak, the higher intensity the workout, the more stress it releases. For example, an Insanity workout will release more stress than doing abs or walking for 30 minutes.

Also, higher intensity workouts increase the growth of new brain cells. The increased flow of oxygen to the brain gives cells more energy to form. The harder the workout, the more oxygen that goes to the brain.

There are many ways to relax before final exams. Each person is different, and it is just a matter of finding what works for you.