The months and weeks leading up to exams can be very stressful for those taking exams and also for their parents & teachers.
I believe that every challenge in our lives can be an opportunity for us to learn something new.
I am hopeful that we can perhaps use the challenge of exams as an opportunity to teach young people some new skills and share some knowledge to help to reduce the effect of stress and allow them to achieve their full potential whilst gaining skills that they can use throughout their life.
This is something very close to my own heart as my earliest memory of using essential oils is from when I was doing what was then called the 11+. I have since added to my relaxation & positivity toolbox and am now very grateful to spend my day sharing these skills and techniques with people of all ages. Lavender, Rosemary & The Neals Yard Study Remedy To Roll are all products I recommend. https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/joannecallan/area/shop-online/category/aromatherapy-and-diffusers/ Essential Oils can also be use in the bath and I would recommend also including Epsom Salts(Provided their are no contra indications)
I am updating this Blog in 2023 to include a link to a fantastic gift set from Neals Yard although this is a Christmas Gift it contains 3 of my top products for supporting well being in the lead up to and during exam time.
The Gift contains:
Goodnight Pillow Mist 45ml: wake up refreshed with our award-winning bedtime mist, proven to improve sleep from the first night*. Made with organic French lavender, sustainably sourced from the unspoilt foothills of the French alps.
Relaxation Remedies to Roll 9ml: this delicately blended, comforting aroma is the perfect way to help you relax and enhance your wellbeing throughout the day. Made with organic geranium leaves and flowers, handpicked at a Fair for Life certified plantation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Focus Aromatherapy Blend 10ml: this energising blend of stimulating rosemary, refreshing spearmint and uplifting orange helps bring clarity of thought and renewed energy. Made with upcycled organic grapefruit oil, extracted from the discarded fruit peels of the juicing industry.
If you are local to me you can order with me directly or if further away you can order online through the link below.
When we are stressed, worried or anxious, it is very difficult for us to remember even the simplest of things, to focus and concentrate all of which are very important when we are faced with sitting a test that we want to do our best in and exactly the same is true for children. The good news is there is lots we can do to help.
Visualisation
Visualisation is a great tool used by many people particularly athletes and sports professionals to help them achieve their best. The idea is that we want to create the best possible outcome in our minds, and we can use it to train our brains to feel a particular way in a particular situation. You might want to read this regularly to your child over the next couple of weeks.
A simple visualisation.
Close your eyes and imagine waking up on the morning of your exam, you have woken up early so that you have lots of time to get ready and you feel so good. You have had a restful night's sleep and are feeling relaxed and calm and confident. You know that you are going to do your best and because of that you feel very proud of yourself, your parents and teachers also feel very proud of you.
You take 3 deep breaths in through your nose and you slowly breathe out through your mouth and your body feels even more relaxed. You know you can breathe in deeply any time you need to feel calm and focussed. You stretch your body and get ready to get out of bed, you imagine wrapping yourself in a beautiful coloured cloak that will help you feel relaxed, calm & confident throughout the rest of the day and you then do everything that you would normally do in the morning time wash, brush your teeth, shower, have breakfast whatever you would normally do repeating to yourself " I am relaxed and calm & confident."
You eat a healthy breakfast which is going to help you stay focused and give your brain and body all the energy it needs. You then imagine yourself leaving home and travelling to the school where you will be doing your test. On your way there you gently massage your hands, particularly the relaxation point in the centre of your hand (imagine you were going to get some water in your hands the part that helps us to relax is if we cup our hands the little well part that appears ) that helps you stay relaxed and calm.
You arrive at school and you are taken into the hall and you sit down at your desk, you have a tissue with your favourite oils on it and you breathe in the lovely smells and you are very happy at how relaxed and calm you feel. You begin to focus on breathing deeply, filling up your brain and your body with all the oxygen it needs. You are ready to begin your test and you open up your paper and you know that you will be able to do your very best, during the test any time you feel worried or nervous you take some deep breaths in and say to yourself "I am relaxed, I am calm and I know I can do this, I can remember everything that I have to remember, I am healthy, I am proud of myself. I am the best me, I can be."
Once the test is over you are then ready to go home and enjoy a lovely relaxed afternoon, knowing that you have done your best, that your parents and teachers are very proud of you and that whatever happens, you will be starting a new chapter with lots of new opportunities and experiences.
You can access an audio version read by me here: https://soundcloud.com/try-the-alternative/guided-relaxation-visualisation-for-students-doing-exams
Indigo Essences - Similar to Bach Rescue Remedy, this range of Essences have been designed for Children and the Confidence one is particular is perfect for supporting a child to achieve their full potential in their tests.
Relax Kids
I have been a Relax Kids Coach since 2012 and am delighted to share with you the Relax Kids tips and ideas for staying Relaxed, Calm & Confident before, during and after the test.
Here are some of the Products that I recommend use the Discount Code: PEACE22 to receive 20% Off the MP3 Albums https://relaxkids.com/store/product-category/mp3s/teen/
You can also check out some of my other Blogs that may also provide helpful info. I have linked some of the ones that might be helpful below.
If you have any questions about anything in any of my Blogs please contact me.
Thank you for reading.
Joanne