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A healthy body equals a healthy mind

You’re mind might be elsewhere during the exam period, but you mustn’t overlook your physical health.

As well as this simply being a bad move health-wise, you’ll find the better you look after your body, the better you’ll be at revision and holding in information.

Eating healthy foods doesn’t just give your body a boost, it also benefits the brain, so when you consider missing a meal to cram in some more revision – think again – because all it will do is leave you hungry and less likely to concentrate well.

With this in mind, make sure that during the revision stress you do allocate time to relax, exercise and eat well, as you’ll benefit in the long run. Also, when eating, don’t just grab hold of the nearest student ‘munch’; grab a filling and healthy meal like sandwiches on granary bread and some fruit or nuts, not crisps and cakes!

Brain fuel food includes products like bread, cereal, pasta and potatoes; all filling foods that are packed with carbohydrates which release energy slowly, and keep you going over longer periods of time. But don’t overdo it on the stodge; foods like chips, crisps and cornish pasties are high in fat, and not so beneficial, so keep this kind of thing for the times when you really need or deserve a treat.

Protein is also an essential part of your diet, so don’t forget to eat a good variety of meat, fish, pulses and dairy products regularly, but in moderation.

But its not just food that needs to be considered when keeping the mind active and healthy, fluid plays an important but often overlooked role too. A surprising number of people are unaware that they are dehydrated and that they do not drink enough fluids, or if they do drink a lot, they go for caffeinated drinks which have the opposite effect and dehydrate you further! A dehydrated brain doesn’t think too clearly, so try and stick to water or fruit juices or squash, and away from sweet fizzy drinks, or lots of tea and coffee. If you can’t do without your hot drinks however, try not to exceed four cups a day.

Finally, the triangle of healthy living is complete by adding in regular exercise. Not only will any type of physical exertion do you good, but simply going outside for a wander, and breathing in the fresh air will refresh both body and mind. Sure, staying in your cosy revision area can often seem like the best possible option as the clocks tick ever forwards towards the exam date, but a bit of the great outdoors can help you freshen up and also relax. If you’re not a huge sporty type at least take time out to go for a walk around the block occasionally, but if you can, really push your body by playing some footie with friends, going swimming, taking an active aerobics class, or even chilling out with some yoga or tai chi., you’ll actually be giving both your body and mind a work out.

So there you go, simple things like exercising, eating well and drinking regularly will really help you get through revision time with your brain in its best possible state. Throw in some good, regular sleep by not staying up late to cram, and you’ll find that the revision period isn’t really all that stressful, and you’re taking in the information well. Be healthy!