Every year, countless young adults face the stress of exams, a pivotal moment that can shape their academic and professional trajectories. Many do not perform to their potential as a result of experiencing too much stress. This blog delves into how the simple, yet powerful, act of controlled breathing can help manage exam stress and boost performance.
Exams are an inevitable part of the educational journey, often accompanied by stress and anxiety. The fear of underperformance, coupled with high expectations, can make exams a daunting task for many young adults. This exam stress anxiety manifests in various ways – sleeplessness, irritability, lack of focus, and even physical symptoms like headaches. For some students, the stress response relating to exams is overwhelming. Managing this exam stress is crucial for success.
Breathing is a fundamental life process, yet how often do we pay attention to it?
Controlled, slow breathing is a technique that involves consciously slowing and regulating your breath.
Physiologically, controlled breathing activates the body’s relaxation response, leading to decreased heart rate and blood pressure, and inducing a state of calm. Neurologically, it reduces the “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic nervous system and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body rest, digest and recover.
By using controlled breathing, one can regulate the body’s response to stress, making it a powerful tool for managing exam pressure.
By using controlled breathing, one can regulate the body’s response to stress, making it a powerful tool for managing exam pressure.
Several studies affirm the link between breathing techniques and stress management. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that diaphragmatic breathing improves cognitive performance and reduces negative subjective and physiological consequences of stress in healthy adults.
Another study in Nature Reviews Neuroscience stated that mindfulness meditation, which incorporates focused breathing techniques, could lead to structural brain changes enhancing cognitive functions, including attention and executive control. These findings are particularly relevant for young adults during exam periods, a time that demands high cognitive function and stress management.
Slow, controlled, breathing is now widely considered the most effective short and long-term stress management technique.
Slow, controlled, breathing is now widely considered the most effective short and long-term stress management technique. The benefits of having adolescents learn this strategy has the potential to dramatically change their educational experiences.
Understanding the connection between breathing and stress management is one thing, but how can young adults practically incorporate this technique into their study routine? Here’s where bobi comes into play.
bobi is a wellness companion that guides users in adopting optimal breathing techniques. As a handheld device, it aids in learning and consistently practicing these techniques, making the process more accessible and effective.
For a young adult preparing for exams, bobi can be a lifesaver. Through its intuitive design, bobi guides the user to inhale and exhale at set rhythms, promoting slow, controlled breathing. This helps initiate the relaxation response, effectively managing stress levels. Slow controlled breathing, along with the action of hand contraction, results in an increase in alpha brain waves that are known to improve cognitive performance.
Many students report substantial difficulty undertaking breathing exercises without a physical aid. It is often said that we cannot think our way out of a high state of stress. This particularly reflects a difficulty for adolescents who may not always have a long-term perspective, especially in relation to school grades.
The benefits of using bobi extend beyond just stress management. The deep focus on the breath can also boost concentration levels, helping students retain information better and maintain attention during long study sessions or during the exam itself. The physical action of using bobi, involving repetitively squeezing the device, has been shown to have clear cognitive benefits, including improving memory.
Exams don’t have to be a source of overwhelming stress. With the right strategies, like controlled breathing, young adults can manage their stress levels and enhance cognitive function for better performance. Tools like bobi can be instrumental in learning and adopting these breathing techniques. So take a deep breath, let bobi guide you, and embark on your journey to a calmer, more focused exam experience.
What is the connection between breathing techniques and exam performance?
Breathing techniques can manage stress levels, improve concentration and enhance cognitive functions, which are critical for exam performance.
How can breathing techniques help manage exam stress?
Breathing techniques stimulate the body’s relaxation response, reducing the “fight or flight” response, helping to manage stress.
How can bobi guide young adults in practicing effective breathing techniques?
bobi, as a handheld device, provides rhythmic guides for inhalation and exhalation, helping users practice effective, deep, controlled breathing.
What are some practical ways to use bobi during exam preparation and actual exams?
Users can take regular breaks during study sessions to use bobi and practice controlled breathing. The same can be done before and during the exam to manage stress.
Can the use of bobi for breathing exercises help with other types of stress as well?
Yes, the breathing techniques practiced with bobi can help manage any form of stress, not just exam-related.
How soon can one expect results after starting these breathing techniques with bobi?
While individual results may vary, many users report feeling calmer and more focused within a few weeks of consistent practice with bobi.
References:
Mr. Damien Thomas completed his Master in Organisational Psychology at Macquarie University, Sydney. He has over 20 years’ experience as a psychologist and has specialised in the field of adolescent psychology. Damien also worked within the field of national security, including counter terrorism operations, and war crimes investigations. Through his previous work he has featured in numerous international media publications including: The Australian, The Globe and Mail, New York Times, and BBC (radio).
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