Tests and exams can be a challenging part of school life for both children and parents, says the NHS. But there are ways to ease the stress and, as the ‘exam season’ approaches, those who are struggling to cope should consider hypnotherapy. 
Parents all know that children who experience stress may be irritable, not sleep well, lose interest in food, worry a lot, and appear depressed or negative. Headaches and stomach pains can also be stress-related.
Over recent years, de-stressing for exams has almost become a specialist subject at the University of Leicester, the BBC reported this month. Last year students were popping bubble wrap at organised ‘bubble wrap stations’ and this year the university has resorted to helping students shake off their exam anxiety with an inflatable ‘bouncy’ castle.
There is also a soothing menagerie of ponies, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks for ‘students to pet and hold’.
Stress can be a barrier to optimal performance or a motivating agent, says the Imperial College Health Centre – it all depends on how the stressed person interprets, labels and manages what they are experiencing. The Centre added that the trick was to identify what level of stress is motivating and what amount is paralyzing and then work to keep it in the motivating zone.
It is well documented that hypnotherapy has a proven track record in helping people cope with stress and anxiety. The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) is the leading not-for-profit professional hypnotherapy association in the UK and has more than 1800 qualified hypnotherapists who can help.
In dealing with a client suffering from stress, a hypnotherapist can help assess the anxiety, identify the root of stress or anxiety and then go about setting a goal.
The therapist will ask the client how they feel in certain situations – like studying or writing an exam – and then ask how they would rather feel. This is the goal they would work towards, using a range of different techniques.
After sessions with a hypnotherapist, the student may feel more confident; more relaxed in situations that have previously been challenging. Many people say that they are calmer and that they have more clarity of thought – able to make decisions more easily.
The Imperial College Health Centre also points out that anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterised by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural components. It is the displeasing feeling of fear and concern.
Although worry, fear and anxiety are unpleasant, they can all be helpful, the Centre says as, psychologically, they can keep us alert and give us the ‘get up and go’ to deal with problems. Physically, they can make our body ready for action.
These feelings become a problem when they are too strong or when they carry on even when we don’t need them any more. They can make us uncomfortable, stop us from doing the things we want to do or achieve – like a good exam result.
Given hypnotherapy’s proven track record in this field, why not look up a hypnotherapist near you by using the NCH directory and work towards eliminating that anxiety and stress caused by exams?
It can change your life and your therapist will advise you that it is important to reduce anxiety in your life.