Midterms can be one of the busiest times of the year. With tests, papers, presentations, and more, it can feel difficult to get everything done. Finding the time to take care of yourself may feel like it’s out of the question, but taking care of your body and mind doesn’t have to mean some big, hour-long self-care activity. With these suggestions, all you’ll need is a five-minute break. (And let’s be honest, you deserve a break.)
Make a cup of tea
Aside from being a much-needed break from the monotony of studying, tea can actually help your studying process. According to The Whistling Kettle, tea helps with concentration and information retention, making it the perfect study night pick-me-up. And with less caffeine than coffee, tea helps you beat the 60-90 minute caffeine curve. You won’t feel a jolt of energy that drops off after an hour. Instead, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on your work.
Black tea has the highest caffeine content so it can be a good substitute for coffee. Green tea is best for your body and health so go for this if you’re worried about your immune system. According to Healthline, white tea contains a large amount of antioxidants and is an incredibly easy tea to prepare. It also often has a lighter taste that can be relaxing in a long night of studying. Lastly, herbal tea, which isn’t actually technically tea, is the perfect option as you wind down after a long day or if you’re getting overstressed by your work.
Hot beverages are known for helping to calm your central nervous system, and the steam coming off of tea can help with improving your sinus health, calming headaches, and clearing your head.
Take a breather
By taking a few minutes to focus only on our breathing, we give our body some time to calm down from the stresses of test prep. At the same time, we enable ourselves to study better by giving our brain and body more oxygen, allowing our body to produce more energy.
Practicing consistent breathing methods can help our body deal with the stress it is feeling from test prep and use the energy created from that stress in a positive manner. Instead of stressing ourselves out until we are unable to work, we are able to handle that energy constructively to help ourselves get more done. Take a few minutes to step away from your work, take a breather, and clear your mind. You might find you return to your work with renewed energy and a path to head forward on.
When we don’t get enough oxygen, it can impact how much energy our body produces. According to Medium, our brain uses 20% of the oxygen we produce. It’s important to make sure we’re breathing properly so we can give our brain the oxygen it needs to study. Take a moment to make sure you’re breathing through your nose, using your diaphragm, and that you’re breathing in the same amount each time.
Go for a walk
Not only can walking help clear your mind, but low-impact exercise actually triggers a variety of positive outcomes including increasing your brain power and your ability to focus longer. So, if you have a lot of studying ahead of you, but you’re feeling like you’re about to burn out, a walk might just do the trick to get you energized again.
Memory performance is also believed to be increased while walking. In fact, stage actors often walk while memorizing their lines. So grab your flashcards and head down to the park.
Plus, it’s good for your body to get in a bit of exercise. You don’t want to stay cooped up studying in front of the computer all day. Natural air, daylight, and a little exercise will help you feel better.
So don’t forget to take care of yourselves this midterm season. And remember: it may feel like the end of the world right now, but you will survive this, you will do well, and you will come out on the other end wondering why you were ever worried in the first place. You got this!