With GSCE and A-level exams looming their ugly head, the pressure is on and young people across the region may well be over-stressed and feeling the strain. In fact, in a recent survey for Childline, 96% of the 1,300 young people who responded said they felt anxious about exams and revision.
Dr Ruth Charlton, Joint Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Epsom and St hospitals (who is also a consultant paediatrician), said: "Feeling nervous is a completely natural and normal aspect of life during difficult times such as the run-up to the exams. This can be a good thing in small amounts, since it shows you are taking your exams seriously and are giving it your all. When you start to feel stressed however, this can have a detrimental effect on your performance and general wellbeing.
"The most difficult aspect of dealing with stress can just be realising you are stressed in the first place. If you are losing your appetite, having trouble sleeping or are generally feeling lacklustre and a bit down in the dumps, it could be a good time to step back and weigh-up how much the pressure is getting to you.
"The best way to deal with stress is to make sure that you allow adequate time to sleep and rest, and make time to do something active other than revising. Go for a bike ride or have a kick about outside; light exercise is a great way to unwind and take your mind off your exams.
"Teenagers and young adults should always strive to maintain a healthy diet, but especially so during exam time. A balanced diet will allow you to manage stress better and concentrate harder when you need to. Avoid high-sugar foods and caffeinated drinks like coke and coffee, since these can make you jittery and also disrupt your all-important sleeping routine."
Ruth also offers the following advice for parents: "It’s entirely understandable that as a parent, you want to be involved in this important stage of your child’s life, but you should make sure to strike a good balance. Help them, let them know you are there if they want to discuss their nerves, but make sure you don't add to the pressure."