Repeatedly, we’ve been told that exercising reduces our stress levels – something that is essential during exam season – but faced with seemingly unending hours of revision, it’s difficult to motivate yourself to go for a run or do the shortest of work-outs. This is partly because you’re exhausted, but also because it looks like you have no time to spare. Rewarding your completed work with that leftover Easter egg and a Netflix binge seems infinitely easier and more relaxing… even if it does end up taking longer than you anticipated (after all, only watching one episode of Queer Eye is too difficult).
Although I’m a long-time fan of that method, as students we spend so much time sat still reading and working that it’s nice to have a change once in a while. Instead, my go-to for minimising stress is just to dance around the room for a few minutes
“There’s something freeing about plugging in some headphones and flapping around to your favourite energising anthems”
My dance teacher always encouraged me to continue attending lessons during GCSEs and A-Levels, and I’d look forward to having this break, but I also discovered my productivity would skyrocket afterwards. There’s something freeing about plugging in some headphones and flapping around to your favourite energising anthems. You can simply let go for a few minutes, exams and stress not daring to cross your mind, as you leap around lip-syncing to Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’.
If you’re sat there thinking that this isn’t for you because you “don’t dance”, I’m not saying you have to be a prima ballerina to reap the benefits. Close the curtains and lock the door if you’re too self-conscious, but just letting your movements be decided by the rhythm is a step in the right direction, even if that step is in the form of a running man.
