{"id":16506,"date":"2021-11-09T07:20:54","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T07:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=16506"},"modified":"2021-11-09T16:27:16","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T16:27:16","slug":"6-ways-to-decrease-stress-from-studying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/gmat\/6-ways-to-decrease-stress-from-studying\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 6 Ways to Decrease Stress from Studying"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s 3 a.m. and you\u2019re still studying. Sweaty fingers turn the pages of your textbook as your heart tries to bust out of its chest-jail. In a daze, you scan the same dull paragraph four times before you realize that you aren\u2019t actually reading the text. Your head is pounding and you cannot concentrate as you count down the final hours, minutes and then seconds until you need to be relaying your knowledge on paper.\u00a0You\u2019re stressed from studying and worrying about <a title=\"What\u2019s a good GMAT score?\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/gmat\/whats-a-good-gmat-score\/\">getting a good score<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>[\u00a0<strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/gmat\/creating-a-gmat-study-schedule\/\">Give Yourself Enough Time To Create Your GMAT Study Schedule<\/a> ]<\/p>\n<p>Stress is \u201ca\u00a0normal physical response\u00a0to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way.\u201d When you sense danger, your body goes into \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d reaction mode in order to protect you. This is great for\u00a0emergency situations, like slamming on your breaks to avoid an accident, but it is not so wonderful for studying. The symptoms of stress are numerous;\u00a0check out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpguide.org\/articles\/stress\/stress-management.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">helpguide.org<\/a>\u00a0for the\u00a0symptoms and warning signs of stress, along with other ways to cope with stress.<\/p>\n\t<div   class='av_promobox  avia-button-no   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_iconlist  avia-builder-el-first '>\t\t<div class='avia-promocontent'><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Avoid stress by being prepared. Find study tips and practice questions for any test you take:<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/act-2\/\">ACT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/dat\/\">DAT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/gmat\/\">GMAT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/gre\/\">GRE<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/lsat\/\">LSAT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/mcat\/\">MCAT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/nclex\/\">NCLEX<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/sat\/\">SAT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/psat\/\">PSAT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/usmle\/\">USMLE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\n<\/div><\/div><br \/>\nStress occurs naturally in college students, who are overwhelmed balancing multiple classes with work schedules and extra activities. <a title=\"How to Study for the GMAT in 1 Month\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/gmat\/how-to-study-for-the-gmat-in-1-month\/\">Studying for the GMAT in 1 month or less<\/a> is another monster conducive to stress, and some students choose to turn to unhealthy ways of coping: alcohol, drugs, overeating. However, there exist many healthier (and cheaper) ways to beat stress.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of reaching for a snack to relax, relieve your tensions from studying in some of the following ways.<\/p>\n<p><div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_promobox  el_before_av_sidebar '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >TEST STRESS TIP 1) Engage in a physical activity<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>One of the greatest ways to relieve stress is through physical activity. Whether this is through a vigorous workout or by participating in sports, you will find that getting your body moving helps you to literally\u00a0sweat off tension.<\/p>\n<p>Wittenberg University student Ben Fox has been involved in athletics from a young age, and has used this physical activity as an outlet for stress in his college years. \u201cIt really relieves a lot of stress from a lot of things if you can do some physical activity,\u201d said Fox. \u201cYou\u2019re sweating everything out and you feel like you\u2019re getting cleansed of your stress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adding a daily physical activity into your schedule can help you to beat stress before it comes on. However, there are ways to get rid of stress as you are studying, too.<\/p>\n<p>Fox, who is an education major, mentioned that he keeps a jump rope hung up near his door for quick bouts of physical activity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen something is stressing me out, I pick up that jump rope and just jump rope like a fiend, and I\u2019ll feel much better about the stress,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Amanda Oravec, senior biochemistry and biology major of The Ohio State University, also likes to relieve some studying stress with physical activity. \u201cI run and I dance. A lot. It kind of takes me to my own world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Relieve some stress with either a few minutes or hours of physical activity to get your blood pumping, and then go back to hitting the books.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >TEST STRESS TIP 2) Get out of the house<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Leave the place where you are studying in order to re-energize. Take your dog for a walk or go alone and\u00a0spend time in nature\u00a0for a little while to relax your mind. Spend some time thinking about something other than your study materials.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTalk it out with friends or just watch a movie,\u201d said Oravec. \u201cStress studying is never good, so think about something else for a while to get your mind off of things; it makes things so much better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meet a friend for a quick cup of coffee, or even better try one of these <a href=\"http:\/\/osu.uloop.com\/news\/view.php\/97642\/6-better-than-coffee-study-drinks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">six healthier drink options<\/a> and chat for half an hour about something other than your big exam or paper that is due, or go see a movie together. Get up and get out for a bit, but remember to come back; you have a test, after all.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >TEST STRESS TIP 3) Write<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Writing when you are stressed out can help you figure out the\u00a0things that are bothering you. While it may seem obvious that the act of studying itself is stressful, take a few minutes to write down a list of what aspects of your situation are causing you the most grief. Are you trying to <a title=\"How to Study the Week Before Your GMAT\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/gmat\/the-week-before-your-gmat\/\">study a lot of GMAT material<\/a> in a small amount of time? Is there certain material that you don\u2019t understand? Did you procrastinate? Once you figure out why you are stressed you can better address how to alleviate your woes.<\/p>\n<p>You could also take some time away from studying and do some creative writing. Jot down a quick poem or short story to get your creative juices flowing; even if you don\u2019t consider yourself a \u201cwriter\u201d this will at least give you a much-needed break from studying.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >TEST STRESS TIP 4) Do something you enjoy<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Hobbies can help you relax. Put aside the books and take a few minutes or up to an hour to put your stress towards an activity you enjoy. Oravec does just this with baking. \u201cI normally take a time out and do something completely different from the subject I\u2019m studying, and, once I feel better, I get back to studying,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m a stress baker. When I bring cookies and cupcakes to my friends, they know I\u2019m stressed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Like Oravec, Fox uses one of his hobbies, playing sports, to get his mind away from studying. \u201cWhen I\u2019m in the moment playing the sport, all that matters is that sport,\u201d he said. \u201cFor those 45 minutes of my day I\u2019m relieved of stress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Get physical, watch half an hour of your favorite television show or YouTube channel or just listen to a few of your favorite songs; breaking up your study sessions with activities or hobbies you enjoy will help relieve some test tension and studying monotony.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >TEST STRESS TIP 5) Relax your mind and muscles<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Do some\u00a0yoga\u00a0or Tai Chi. Give yourself a massage (or get a nice friend to give you one). Take a hot\u00a0bubble bath. Imagine yourself elsewhere for ten minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Fox uses a technique called \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/escapism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">escapism<\/a>\u201d to weed out stress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI close my eyes, and I just imagine myself on a wonderful beach, and I\u2019m surrounded by fun people, we\u2019re doing the limbo, just enjoying the sun,\u201d he described. \u201cI\u2019m enjoying that mental image for ten minutes and then I come back to my studies and I feel relieved and can start my studies again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here are some links to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpguide.org\/articles\/stress\/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">relaxation<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/zenhabits.net\/meditation-for-beginners-20-practical-tips-for-quieting-the-mind\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">meditative techniques<\/a>\u00a0that can help you to calm down.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >TEST STRESS TIP 6) Just breathe<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Take a deep breath in and hold it for five seconds. Now let it out. Tell yourself that everything will work out in the end.\u00a0 Take a second to\u00a0focus on the present\u00a0and just chill out.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes all people need to do to calm down is breath. It really does help,\u201d said Oravec. \u201cTake time out to relax and put things into perspective; chances are it\u2019s over a test or something that in the big picture of things is not going to change your life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If deep breaths don\u2019t help, you can check out some of <a href=\"https:\/\/greatist.com\/happiness\/breathing-exercises-relax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">these breathing exercises<\/a>\u00a0to help you get through your stress.<br \/>\nStress is rough, but using any of these methods will help you to relax and to endure intense study sessions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-builder-widget-area clearfix  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_iconlist  avia-builder-el-last '><div id=\"text-76\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"70f62512b89832cc8e7fcd96b9d03245c2794cf0b7170fa257f26acec72436d9\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"text-77\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"71160db829b51adcc3539815988485f372b020407413c2957efe50cfe72ea639\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s 3 a.m. and you\u2019re still studying. Sweaty fingers turn the pages of your textbook as your heart tries to bust out of its chest-jail. In a daze, you scan the same dull paragraph four times before you realize that you aren\u2019t actually reading the text. Your head is pounding and you cannot concentrate as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39424,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[55],"tags":[56,353],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16506"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16506"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39426,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16506\/revisions\/39426"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}