Boost your performance with these health tips

DID you know that making healthy food choices and taking care of your health can actually improve performance and concentration?

Stress, lack of sleep and being in a potential time crunch all work together to not only sabotage your test performance, but also to set up a domino effect that leads to poor nutrition.

And compounding these factors can have negative effects on your final grade! So if you think taking care of yourself is a waste of time that should be better used for studying, think again. Here are a few tips to help you improve your lifestyle and keep your body in top form to perform at its best while studying and on examination day itself: Make time for exercise Exercise not only helps to improve sleep patterns, just 20 to 30 minutes will reduce stress and allow you to go into your study session with more focus. It can be hard to overcome the inertia of a study break taken on the couch, but a quick exercise break will leave you energised.

Go for balance Make your carbohydrates complex and add some protein to your meals and snacks. This will keep your blood sugar levels stable and will decrease hunger and cravings – two things you don’t need when you may already be emotionally spent and stressed. Eat at regular intervals

This will keep your energy level up and reduce the temptation to fill your body full of empty-calorie snacks. Empty calories may fill you up temporarily, but lack the nutrients your body needs.

Eat smaller, more often Consider eating smaller meals or snacks, but more often (which further supports the last point). Also, large meals can sit in your stomach and may even slow you down mentally and physically. Bigger meals can make you lethargic. Drink more water Feeling fatigued?

Don’t assume it is all related to the lack of sleep you have been getting. Dehydration will also make you feel fatigued and less focused. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and don’t overdo the caffeine to fight the fatigue. Try to keep caffeine and sugar to a minimum – these two can cause jitters and unstable blood sugar (and lead to an energy crash).

Drink water and create exercise time to help increase focus while you study – then make time to sleep. Start the day properly Preparing your brain and your body is especially important on exam days.