How to Relieve Exam Stress with Bowen Therapy

Students often struggle to find effective methods to relieve exam stress.

Because of the increasing demands, deadlines and the need for perfection – add outside work schedule to bring in some play money and there’s a recipe for impending disaster.

I’ve noticed this to be far more prevalent in women than young men. This could be that young women already have a lot to deal with – a desire to excel, a hunger to be fit and healthy, fitting into the ever changing concepts of beauty, not to mention hormone changes and having a social life.

It’s just a very hectic time for some.

In this article I’ll be noting the benefits of Bowen Therapy and how it helps with stress of any kind PLUS adding several effective methods of stress management.

Bowen Therapy relaxes the mind and body. The profound relaxation that comes with Bowen is unequivocally the most relaxed you may have ever felt.

This is what you may be feeling during a Bowen Therapy session:

• For those people who are what I call “head people” those who are always thinking of the past and future – I ask them to focus in on the body. Quite often sensations can be felt whether they be tingling, heat, cold,  pressure or sinking feeling and sometimes the sensation of the entire body sinking into the table.
• Often people fall asleep for a short period as the body brings itself back into alignment.
• A quietness of the mind. Sometimes colours will flash up in the minds eye.
• A sense of profound wellness and balance
• A feeling of fluid running through the body – this could be the fascia rehydrating.
• Bowen accesses the bodies own intelligence to do whatever is necessary to bring itself back into the most optimum health possible.

Once people get off the table the most common comment is “I feel great”. This is said with surprise considering the minimal physical interaction necessary to achieve this outcome.

Bowen Therapy is truly a remarkable healing modality and covers all aspects essential to gaining a feeling of wellbeing. A most desired outcome from study-stress or anxiety of all kinds.

Stress, whether exam related or simply life overwhelm are all alleviated by some simple techniques:

• Be aware of where your shoulders are and relax them. Usually when studying your shoulders will lift and tighten causing headaches, sore shoulders and back pain.
• Roll your shoulders round in circles, tip your head from side to side and look up and down
• Study in blocks. Concentrating on one subject at a time and if possible take 10 minute breaks ever 30-60 minutes. Stand up, march on the spot, clear your head, grab a coffee, a glass of water or fruit. Then get back to it.
• The benefits of multi-tasking is a myth. Do one thing at a time. Finish it and move on.
• Study when its the best time for you. Some people work far better at night and some in the early morning. Figure out what suits you the best and stick to it.
• Breathing although it’s an obvious action is often overlooked. When you breathe breathe deep, inhaling into your lower abdomen, middle and then upper chest and then exhale in the same order. This fills your body with oxygen, clears the head and opens the chest expanding the muscles and ligaments that have been compressed due to constant hunching over the desk.
• Take a walk every day, sunset or sunrise are the best times. It’s a time to practice staying in the present moment and being aware of the beauty you are surrounded by. This is not a time to make lists in your head or plan for the day. This is your time.
• Avoid junk food, soft drinks, take away food and any uppers or downers. Keep your diet as balanced and clean as possible. This will aid discomfort from bloating, pain and cloudy thoughts.

This is a very small planet in an enormous universe. Your life isn’t meant to be spent worrying about what to do or what you have done.

When under the pressure of exams and the demands of deadlines Bowen Therapy will bring you back to a place of peace and manage any pain that is being caused by being static and stressed.

Manage your time by doing 30 minute blocks of study and drinking enough water during your 10 minute breaks.

Taking time out every day to simply enjoy your present moment while outside.

Gentle exercise always helps.

Drink clean water  – without water you just dry up and this is the last thing your brain needs.

Do what you can with what you have got. Worry is a total waste of time and energy – utilize your mind and energy for learning, discovering and being grounded and real.