Those who are reviewing for major exams like the November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination are surely experiencing a significant amount of stress. While stress can be positive and motivate examinees to some extent, excessive stress can affect their overall functioning negatively.
Stress, when left unmanaged, can result in alterations in sleep and eating patterns, lowered self-esteem, mood changes, increased anxiety, frequent body aches, decreased ability to complete tasks, decreased concentration, and memory impairment. So to avoid experiencing these symptoms, the task then, for those who are reviewing for the November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE), is to manage and maintain stress at healthy levels. Here’s how:
Develop a relaxing ritual. If you are experiencing symptoms of stress, one way of managing it is by starting your day with a relaxing ritual. You can do this by thinking of good memories such as a family outing or your achievements in school, or by simply counting your blessings as soon as you wake up in the morning. This early morning ritual will make you realize that you have accomplished a lot of things and that you have a lot to be thankful for, leaving you with a warm feeling throughout the day.
Breathe deeply. Breathing deeply for 3 to 5 minutes for at least three times a day will help defuse stress. It will help reduce tension and free your mind of distracting thoughts.
Take a walk. When you are feeling stressed out and can’t seem to concentrate on your review for the November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination, taking a brisk walk for 15 minutes will help you relax and reduce anxiety. Physical activity such as brisk-walking will also improve your circulation and prevent body aches, a manifestation of stress.
Listen to relaxing music. Whenever you feel tension and anxiety build up, put aside your review materials for a few minutes and give yourself a mental break by listening to relaxing music. Soothing music will help ease tension and will help you focus more as you get on with your review.
Pamper yourself. By now, you probably have spent months reviewing for the Nurse Licensure Examination so you should at least give yourself enough time for rest and relaxation. You can use your free time to catch up on much-needed sleep, meet some friends, attend a family gathering, have a massage, read a book, or even watch a movie. Indulging yourself in these simple pleasures will help reduce stress levels and help prevent burnout.
Surround yourself with cool colors. Come to think of it, colors like green and blue will help calm and relax you. So whenever you get increasingly frustrated after long hours of self-study in preparation for the November 2008 NLE, going to the park or staying in a room with light blue and green interiors will help relieve stress.
Visualize success. One way of relieving stress as you prepare for the November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination is by visualizing yourself actually attending the oathtaking ceremony as a registered nurse. Engaging your mind in this relaxing activity will boost your confidence, reduce anxiety, and lower your stress levels significantly.
Talk to a friend or a family member. As the nursing board exam date draws near, you will surely experience increasing levels of stress. One way of defusing stress is by talking to a trusted person who knows how to listen, is impartial, and understands that you just need to vent your frustration. Talking to someone you trust about topics other than the November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination will also keep your mind off the exam for a while and calm your nerves.
Evaluate your progress each day. Before retiring each night (or day depending on your body clock), evaluate your progress. Most of those who review for major exams like the November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination think that they haven’t covered a lot of materials yet. But the thing is, if only they will take time to evaluate their daily progress, then they will know that they actually know more than they think they do. Evaluating your daily progress as a habit that will help you realize that you have reviewed well for the NLE this November and help reduce stress and anxiety in the process.
And lastly, pray. A lot of people read the Bible or recite their favorite Bible verse whenever they are experiencing a lot of stress. If you believe in the power of prayer, then saying the
Prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino or reading verses from the Bible will have a profound calming effect on you as you review for the November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination.
ANNOUNCEMENT:Pinoy R.N. and
Ward Class will be posting other exclusive nursing review tips, review notes, and last-minute advisories to November 2008 nursing board examinees in the coming days and weeks so be sure to check back regularly.
Alternatively, examinees to the November 2008 PRC nursing board exam may also opt to receive nursing board exam tips and updates via e-mail by submitting a valid e-mail address below.
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