With the 2021 exam season right around the corner, there’s an unhealthy reality that parallels that time of the academic year: many students turn to study aids that place their health and overall performance under threat.
These aids, intended to enhance the mind, are medicines often referred to as ‘smart drugs’ or even academic doping. They are prescription stimulants provided to people who suffer from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although, many young people in search of amplified mental focus and stamina rely on them when the pressure kicks in.
The dangers of substance abuse
People who are addicted to substances often acquire abilities to function at (perceived) higher mental levels. And with each successful day, it becomes increasingly difficult to clearly see the extent of health damage that substance reliance causes them in the long run.
Nonetheless, the longer an addiction is ignored or justified, the deeper the mental, emotional and physical consequences go.
Below are but three examples of illnesses that can result from substance misuse:
- Heart Sicknesses
- Brain Damage
- Liver Disease
The seemingly harmless dependence on energy drinks
An addiction to energy drinks can involve addictive symptoms that are related to brain and nervous system functions, such as the following:
- Strong cravings
- An inability to control energy drink intake
- Consistent psychological images of energy drink consumption
Additional signs of suffering withdrawal symptoms when you avoid energy drinks are: fatigue, irritability, headaches, and a consistent depressive mood.
Unhealthy sleep patterns
During times of increased stress, pressure, and anxiety, the first lifestyle element to go neglected is a good night’s rest. It’s easier to vehemently believe that there are better things to attend than be asleep for at least eight hours.
However, contrary to that popular opinion, those burn-the-midnight-oil study sessions come with the power to seriously undermine your grades. To score better exam results, the simplest solution is most often the one that bears more academic fruit: get sufficient sleep.
Another unhealthy academic and exam reality is the incessant exposure to the blue light emitted by smartphones, computers, and other necessary digital devices. The mind decodes this type of light as sunlight, which then keeps you awake by disrupting your circadian rhythms (one of the most important and well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle).
Healthier ways of managing the pressure that comes with the academic grind
Whether the aim is to better handle the pressure of scoring top-notch year-end results or build a solid career, there’s always a healthier way to achieve those things.
Here’s a quick run-through of the strategies that will help keep you at the top of your game:
Setting aside time to get your body moving during your exam season can be a game-changer. Workout sessions that go for at least 30 minutes can give back an increased quality of sleep. The release of endorphins is a well-known stress breaker, which then helps to lift your mood and sedate your anxiety.
Worry and self-doubt are somewhat natural when you’re faced with exams (or career-defining moments), but it’s the way you react to them that determines what type of impact they have on you. Tip: start learning the habit of reflecting on them, and you’ll eventually be able to pinpoint meaningless worries when they creep up on you.
That will help you achieve a clearer and lighter perspective on your feelings and thoughts. You will also notice them as they enter your mind, and be able to let them go and focus on the results that you’ve focused your energy on.
- Use caffeine intelligently
Caffeine is a stimulant that keeps you awake by blocking the brain chemical adenosine, which is responsible for making you drowsy.
An intake of one or two caffeinated drinks like tea or coffee in the morning can be a helpful way to kick-start your day. However, caffeine stays active in your body for up to twelve hours and can thus reduce the quality of your sleep. (Perhaps, you might try drinking herbal alternatives from lunchtime.)
- Never overload your brain
Working all the way until the latest hours, cramming, may seem like an inspirational task, but it’s counterproductive!
You’re likely to perform poorly in your academic or professional duties when you’re sleep-deprived. It limits your access to REM sleep. Rapid Eye Movement is the stage of sleep that’s fundamental for storing memories – consequently, your coursework.
The punch line is this: if you’re serious about consistently performing at your best in class and in the boardroom, then stay away from performance-enhancing medications and other harmful habits designed to make you effective only for a short period of time.
Your life and career are long-term adventures!
