How to Relax and Stay Calm for an Important Test

Everyone gets nervous before tests. Some tests are very important and create extra stress. Nerves can't always be avoided entirely, but next time you have a hard test coming up try to remember these ideas.

Get some sleep. Nobody feel good when they're tired. Lack of sleep aggravates stress and and makes focusing on your test later harder. WebMD states that adults need on average 7-8 hours of sleep and teens need 9. Being apprehensive about your test can affect your sleep, but some of these bedtime nerves can be reduced by distracting yourself with relaxing activities such as watching a favorite movie or television show or reading.

Give yourself enough time in the morning to get ready calmly. Rushing around in the morning gets adrenaline going and makes you jittery and stressed. Get to bed early the night before and wake up as early as will still allow the amount of sleep you need. Having time in the morning lets you enjoy a filling (but not too heavy) breakfast slowly, which can help avoid an upset stomach, and do morning rituals that make you feel less nervous, such as sipping a warm cup of coffee or tea.

One way to give yourself more time which doesn't involve waking up earlier is do all that you can the night before. Pick out your clothes and any accessories you'll be wearing, lay out what you need for the test, and plan what you'll be having for breakfast. By not having as many things to do the morning of the test, you'll make it less stressful.

Try Relaxation Techniques. If you are really having trouble with nerves, try to just pause for a minute, close your eyes, and take a deep breathe. Breathe through your stomach. Imagine your stomach is a balloon and fill it up when you breath in, and squeeze it empty when you breath out. Relax your muscles. Start at the top of your body and systematically relax every single muscle. Relax your eyebrows, cheeks, temples, and jaw. Relax your neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. Relax your chest, stomach, back, legs, calfs, and feet.

Do some gentle exercise. If you like doing yoga, you can try to fit in some that morning. Either follow a short yoga DVD, or do a series of positions you are familiar with. Other forms of light exercise can also help with stress, if you have time to do them in the morning. You can try going for a light jog or bike ride or doing a short exercise DVD. You can do anything that will get the blood flowing and distract you, without tiring you out or making you sore. You don't want t to be nursing painful muscles while taking a hard test.

Sources:
WebMD, "Are You Getting Enough Sleep?"