Coping with Exam Stress – For Mommies

Exam related stress is the most challenging part of schooling for both, children and parents. Some people tend to feel pressurized and develop stress symptoms more than others. Many of them turn to counselling when they can’t handle the stress, which if noticed and dealt upon, can be managed at home.

First and foremost, we need to understand that males and females may respond differently to stress, with females showing internal symptoms such as nausea, butterflies and feelings of inadequacy which can lead to sadness and depression. Males tend to externalize their anxiety and can become increasingly irritable or angry.

As for a mother, a home-maker who not only cooks and cleans but manages all her chores, kids, husband and in-laws apart from dealing with a list of odd jobs while managing office work, dealing with the horror of additional exam related stress is totally uncalled for.

Here, we list 10 easy tips for moms to help reduce exam stress:

1. Give up on unrealistic expectations: Knowing and understanding your child’s calibre will help you judge what to expect rather than fretting over it.
2. Get rid of pessimism: Never speak negatively to yourself where children are concerned. Try to understand their shortcomings and concentrate on their strengths. Doing so will help you have a positive approach.
3. Keep aside family issues: Although bogged down by family or relationship issues, do not confuse those emotions with exam stress. Your family matters may take time to resolve but understand that exam stress is temporary and much easier to be dealt with.
4. Financial problems: Many mothers worry about fees and finance required for their child’s education and this worry transforms into a major stress issue, especially during exams. Know that many parents take the advantage of Education Loans which can easily be paid off.
5. Performance anxiety: Exams and anxiety go hand in hand but if you make sure your child studies well in school, during tuitions and also at home then he is sure to fare well. Your anxiety is unnecessary as it definitely won’t aid in getting good grades but on the contrary will surely make you unapproachable as a mother. Remember, many children complain that greatest pressure comes from their parents.
6. Loosen up! : Continuous exam and study talk adds on to the stress at home. Keep aside some time for yourself, either with your child or alone. Go for a walk, visit the gym, bake a cake, do some gardening or take dance classes – it will not only boost your energy levels but clear your mind and beat the stress.
7. Eat well: Eating habits are mostly stress related. We all know that stress does lead to binge eating but not many know that unhealthy diet too adds on to stress related problems. Eating nutritious meals at proper intervals and keeping yourself well hydrated helps in combating stress to a large extent.
8. Sleep over it! : Sleeping over the issue is a solution many people resort to in difficult situations and the same approach can be taken where exam stress is concerned. Your worrying is not going to bring additional marks onto your child’s report card, instead it will hamper your sleep pattern and make you cranky and irritable. Loss of sleep often causes headaches and giddiness as well.
9. Expect the unexpected: Your child may have been very good at studies and may be getting the best grades in class. Yet, don’t expect him or her to be a topper each time! There are times when they may lose a mark or two but that’s alright. Pressurising yourself and the child to be the best adds on to heavy expectations and heavier stress for both, ultimately leading to health risks, both mental and physical.
10. What a relief! : Just as your child may watch movies or hang out with friends the day they finish their last exam, you too should make that day special for yourself. Catch up with friends, gift yourself a relaxing spa treatment or plan a short holiday. Relieving stress is as important as avoiding it!