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Deb Levy | Coaching Is Good

Deb Levy, M.Ed., PCC

Certified Business and Life Coach

To Conquer Stress: Manage Mood, Mindset, and Sleep

I recently wrote about the importance of making a plan and asking for help when preparing for finals. In this post I want to share three more essential tips for success during stressful times: mood, mindest, and sleep.

  1. Manage your mood


Research has found that positive emotions help you learn better, be more creative, and solve problems with greater ease. They also improve your health, relationships, and ability to cope with stress.

Unfortunately, activities that bring joy, pleasure, and relaxation are the first to go during finals. Be smart. Prioritize exercise, socializing, and other activities that improve your mood. Consider them a part of your academic preparation and not a form of procrastination.

  1. Cultivate the right mindset


Achieving your academic goals (or any goal for that matter) takes a lot of effort and determination and the right mindset.

Many students can sabotage their efforts by harboring distorted thoughts. Learn to recognize catastrophic thinking: “If I don’t pass this class my life will be ruined.” Avoid all-or-nothing thinking: “If I can’t put my full effort into the project I’m not going to do any of it.” If you can be mindful of your thoughts, you can veer back to optimism.

Finals stress is temporary. Establish learning goals for challenging assignments. And focus on what you want to learn instead of what grade you want to achieve. Remember, it’s about growth, not validation.

  1. Get enough sleep


At some point we’ve all probably pulled an all-nighter to prepare for a test. But research has found that eight hours of sleep will improve your concentration and performance. Of course, with so many additional tasks to complete during finals, it’s hard to get enough sleep, especially if you have been sleep deprived all semester. But it’s worth it. Sleep will help you work smarter instead of harder.

For many students I coach, the end of the semester is the one time of year when they will allow themselves to block out the time they need to fully be a student. By making a plan and asking for helping, then attending to your mood, mindset, and sleep, you’ll be well-equipped to end the semester on a positive note.

Good luck!