Here’s how to wait without stress until July 8.
The baccalaureate exams are over, now we have to wait until July 8 to get the results. A moment of relief (it’s done!) but also of worries and stress for the candidates. Fortunately, there are ways to calmly support your teenager while waiting for the baccalaureate results.
First of all (and as always in health), you have to make the right choices at the table. Against stress during exam periods, it is interesting to increase your omega-3 intake. “Small oily fish, avocado, oilseeds such as walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews are very rich in it. Sesame or walnut oil, chia and hemp seeds are also good sources of omega-3, underlines Sophie Pihan, naturopath and member of the French Federation of Naturopathy. Also consider antioxidants to offset the effects of stress on the body. Red fruits such as berries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries are full of antioxidants. We also find them in colorful fruits and vegetables, such as kiwi, peppers or lemon.”
We should not forget the plants known to relieve stress: rhodiola and griffonia. “Those are adaptogenic plants used in particular for recovery in terms of fatigue. These plants are available in the form of food supplements, capsules, mother tincture or ampoules. Other plants support energy and memory during exam periods, such as ginkgo biloba for brain health, bacopa for memory and ginseng, which is the plant of excellence for students and exams.” There are also Bach Flowers “very effective among young people and students” confirms our interlocutor. There are ready-made complexes or the possibility of developing your own personalized bottle with the help of a naturopath to choose the right flowers. The best Bach flowers against end-of-year stress are:
► The white chestnut tree: “It calms the mind, limits repetitive thoughts and promotes concentration. White chestnut is perfect if your child has just finished their exams and is already looking forward to what comes next.” ;
► Impatiens: “This Bach flower is perfect if your child has difficulty waiting and cannot stand being constrained by time” ;
► The elm: “Elm supports the body in case of fatigue. It is also the flower of perfectionists, those people who feel like they have made a mistake and therefore have failed at everything.” ;
► The oak: “This Bach flower restores self-confidence and soothes. It is ideal for young people who feel like they have failed. Oak restores energy after exam periods.”
“In 5 minutes, you are incredibly more serene”
Essential oils, too, when inhaled, can help you wait without becoming too stressed. “By diffusion, by breathing over the bottle, in a diffuser or on a handkerchief, smelling the right essential oils helps to soothe your mind.” The most recommended during this period are bay laurel, lemongrass and shell marjoram. “regulator of the nervous system”. You have to choose the one whose smell you like and avoid the one that you find heady.
Finally, and this is the best way to wait for the bac results, according to the specialist, focus on breathing with cardiac coherence. Breathing techniques are natural and effective in combating stress and nervous agitation. “Cardiac coherence is a breathing method that works very well in young people, observes Sophie Pihan. This technique is perfectly suited to teenagers or students, especially thanks to the use of free applications on smartphones. The exercise is very simple and quick to perform. Cardiac coherence consists of inhaling for 6 seconds, then exhaling for 6 seconds, all
for 5 minutes. This breathing exercise helps soothe heart palpitations and other symptoms related to exam stress. In 5 minutes, you will be incredibly more serene, provided you do the breathing mindfully (focusing only on breathing and feelings, nothing else).” The naturopath recommends practicing cardiac coherence in a quiet place, in any position, as long as it remains comfortable enough. This exercise can be done up to 3 times a day or in stressful situations.
Thanks to Sophie Pihan, naturopath and member of the French Federation of Naturopathy.