How Exercise Can Help with Exam Stress

Exam season can be tough, and the stress can feel overwhelming at times. Late nights cramming, endless caffeine, and a constant knot in your stomach – sound familiar?

But here's the thing, you don't have to just survive exam stress. You can actually thrive during this challenging time and the answer could be at your local gym!

Exam Stress Relief at Your Local Gym

Sure, studying might feel like the most important thing on your plate right now, and the idea of squeezing in a workout might seem daunting, but hear us out!

Exercise isn't just about the physical benefits like building muscle or looking toned. It's a powerful tool for boosting your cognitive function, improving your mood, and even helping you sleep better.

In other words, it's a multi-tasking superhero for your brain and body, exactly what you need to tackle exam season with confidence.

Exercise and Coping with Exam Stress

Feeling stressed out triggers a flood of cortisol, a hormone that can wreak havoc on your body and mind. It can affect your sleep, focus memory and cognitive function. Exercise helps to lower cortisol levels and release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and energised for your next study session.

Exams can often leave you feeling like you’re drowning in revision timetables and study notes. Revising for long periods can leave you with mental fatigue meaning you end up retaining less information. Taking breaks to do something else, like moving your body can give you structure to your day and relieve some of that brain block.

Stressful periods can sometimes lead us to eat differently as a way to cope. Both under and overeating can have an impact on how we feel both physically and mentally, leaving us feeling lethargic and struggling to focus. Exercise can help us to regulate our appetite and get our focus back.

Regular exercise can also improve your body image and self-esteem, which is always a good thing. And when you feel good about yourself, you're more likely to approach stressful situations like exams with a positive attitude.

How to Deal with Exam Stress? Join the Gym

Joining a gym is an investment in your mental and physical health. It's a place where you can escape the pressures of studying, clear your head, and recharge your batteries. It's also a great way to meet new people and find a supportive community.

Here are a few tips for making the most of your student gym membership during exam season:

• Start slow: Don't feel pressured to go from couch potato to fitness guru overnight. Start with short, manageable workouts and gradually increase the duration and intensity. You can find out more about how many exercises you should include in your workout in our blog “How Many Exercises Per Workout is Right for Me?”.

• Find your fun: Experiment with different classes and activities until you find something you genuinely enjoy. HIIT, yoga, weightlifting – there's something for everyone!

• Bring a friend: Having a workout buddy can help to keep you motivated and make exercise more fun.

• Don't overdo it: Listen to your body and rest whenever you need to. Remember, exercise should be a stress reliever, not another source of pressure!

Ready to Sweat Out the Stress?

Don't let exam stress take over your life. Head to your local gym and discover the amazing benefits of exercise for yourself. You might just be surprised at how much it can transform your exam season.