The long and stressful days of board exams are finally over!
Those late-night study, continuous revisions, while hours of sitting at a desk significantly drain your energy. As the exam is finished and that pressure is lifted, students might feel exhausted, sluggish, or even mentally drained. First of all, this is totally normal. This is the time for your body and mind to recover. Gone are those days of monotonous exercises, regaining energy can be fun and easy.
Remember, there is no alternative to physical activities. Wait, we are not talking about hitting the gym or follow a strict workout routine. Following are some simple fitness moves to help you recharge, feel refreshed, and bring back enthusiasm.
Sitting for long hours during preparation and exams can make your muscles stiff. Stretching is mandatory to improve blood circulation, reduces tension. It also makes you feel relaxed.
Neck and Shoulder Rolls – Gently roll your in circular motions, and continue the same with your shoulders. This relieves stiffness caused by continuous writing and excessive screen time.
Standing Forward Bend – Begin with standing straight, then bend forward. Now, when you try to touch your toes, it stretches your hamstrings as well as back muscles, this is an effective way to relax.
Side Stretches – Begin with raising one arm over your head and lean towards the opposite side. Then, switch the sides. This helps you open up your torso to improve flexibility.
Students stay for an extended period indoors during preparation. After conclusion of exams, students must walk outside at any time of the day for at least 20-30 minutes. The breath of fresh air the morning or evening can do wonders. It improves blood flow, enhances your mood, and helps to clear your mind. If possible, choose a place with lots of greenary to refresh both your body and mind.
Yoga is a great way to relax post exams. Along with improving flexibility, it helps to calm your mind. Following are some simple yoga poses you can try:
Child’s Pose (Balasana) – Sit on your knees, stretch your arms forward, and lower your forehead to the ground. This simple easy pose relieves stress and relaxes your spine.
Cat-Cow Pose – Get on all fours and arch your back up (similar to a cat). Now, drop your belly and lift your head (just like a cow). This pose relieves back stiffness caused by long study hours.
Butterfly Pose – Sit on the floor, join the soles of your feet together, and gently flap your knees like butterfly wings. This is great for relieving lower-body tightness.
Play your favorite peppy song and dance for 10–15 minutes. Dancing releases endorphins or the "happy hormones," to help you reduce stress and improve mood. It’s an exciting way to shake off exam fatigue while getting the benefits of cardio workout. You can join any Zumba class too.
If you want a little more movement, try jumping jacks (30 seconds), bodyweight squats (10 reps), arm circles (30 seconds forward & backward), seated leg raises (10 reps per leg).
After months of exam stress, your mind deserves relaxation too. Try simple breathing exercises like deep breathing, alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana), and so on.
Post-exam fatigue is real, but the best part is that you can easily overcome it with simple, enjoyable fitness moves. When the exam is done, focus on self-care and get plenty of rest. It’s time to recharge and prepare your body and mind for the exciting journey ahead!
