How to ease revision pain
Revision and exams are stressful and can also literally cause you pain. In this blog, we share some simple tips to help you prevent and ease revision pain so you can focus on your studies.
Whether you revise on a computer, laptop, or with a pen and paper, you inevitably spend long periods of time hunched in one position. If you’re not careful, this can lead to postural pain in the neck, shoulders, back and more.
Stress and revision
What’s more, if you are in pain, it’s a sad fact that exam stress could actually make it worse. This is because stress causes the levels of the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol to rise. If you are under constant stress your body can become flooded with cortisol which, over time, can cause inflammation, pain and fatigue.
How to ease revision pain
So, with the summer exam period coming up for school kids and university students alike, we wanted to share some simple actions you can take to help prevent revision and exams becoming an actual pain the neck. And the good news is that these actions can also help ease pain if you’ve already got it.
Where to revise
Always work at a table, sitting on a chair, rather than on the sofa or in bed. Relax when sitting into your chair, making sure you have your bottom against the seat back with your shoulder blades are touching the back rest of the chair. For more tips on setting yourself up right when working at home, check out our How to avoid aches and pains when working from home blog.
Take a break
Taking regular revision breaks is extremely important. Try to move around every 20-30 minutes – stand up to stretch, change position and walk around a little – to stop putting your body under the stress and strain of staying in one position for too long.
Check your bag
It can be tempting to carry around all your notes and books, but make sure you check your bag every day so you’re only carrying the things you really need. Try using bags which can be carried on two shoulders with adjustable straps so the weight can be distributed evenly too.
Exercise
Look for opportunities to exercise during the day. You could try walking to the library instead of getting the bus or driving or go for a brisk walk while taking a break from revision.
Keep hydrated
Don’t forget to drink lots of water. Make sure you top up your fluids as the body works better when well hydrated.
Stretch
If you’re revising at home (or don’t mind working out in the library!), do some regular stretches to keep your body moving. Try the British Chiropractic Association’s Straighten Up Uk programme – a 3 minute stretching routine designed to improve posture and help prevent back pain by promoting balance, strength and flexibility in the spine.
We hope these tips help keep you pain free for your exams but if you need a pre exam appointment to help get you back to your best, please just call on 0117 972 3518.
For tips on how to tackle stress, see our blog Stress and Pain.