[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/dealing-with-finals-stress\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/dealing-with-finals-stress\/","headline":"5 Ways to De-Stress and Feel Better During Finals Week","name":"5 Ways to De-Stress and Feel Better During Finals Week","description":"Finals week happens every semester, but no matter how many times you experience it, you may still become stressed. Take care of yourself with these tips.","datePublished":"2017-04-14","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Finals-week-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Finals-week-1.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/dealing-with-finals-stress\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":458,"keywords":["anxiety","energy","finals week","managing stress","mental health","mobile featured","self-care","sleep deprivation"],"articleBody":"This is it. The week that could make or break your GPA. The culmination of 10-15 weeks of classes, homework, tests, and papers.It’s finals week.Finals week happens every semester, but no matter how many times you experience it, you may still become overwhelmed.And when you get overwhelmed with schoolwork, you forget about other important things \u2014 taking care of yourself, for instance. Your final exams are very important, but so is self-care during finals week.Feeling under the weather? Learn more about UPMC AnywhereCareTips to Take Care of Yourself During Finals WeekFollow the tips below to care for your body and mind, even in the midst of college exams.Treat Yourself with “Me” TimeLowering your stress level helps you focus more effectively during studying and test-taking.How can you unwind in a healthy way? Color or sketch. Watch a movie. Go for a walk. Spend some time with friends.Brain Food: Eat Well, Feel Your BestHealthy foods and healthy portion sizes are important for your studying habits. Take a break from your work to eat a full meal, not just snacks in between chapters. Then, make sure you’re getting proper nutrients with lots of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy fare. Though it’s tempting, skip the fast food and sugary drinks when you’re busy.Eating well can help you maintain energy and focus when you need it most.Get Enough Shut-EyeWe all know that sleep is important for health and mental concentration. But hours of shut-eye can still be hard to come by, especially during finals week.You may stay awake longer than usual to cram in as much studying, rehearsing, and reading as you can. But the truth is, if you don’t have enough sleep, your brain can’t absorb and retain information. Plus, sleep deprivation decreases your ability to concentrate during the exam itself.Of course, not getting enough sleep affects your body’s ability to fight illness.Work out the StressMaybe you don’t have time for a full workout. That’s OK \u2014 take a break from studying to go for a jog, or do some yoga stretches in your dorm room.Exercise helps relieve stress and promote good mental health. It also helps prevent illness \u2014 no one wants to come down with a cold or flu in the middle of finals week.Turn to UPMC AnywhereCareFeeling under the weather while studying for finals? Download the free\u00a0UPMC AnywhereCare\u00a0app from the Apple\u00a0or Google Play\u00a0stores to get quick care, 24\/7, on the go.UPMC AnywhereCare offers patients with non-emergency symptoms quick access to high-quality care, anytime, from a mobile device or desktop computer. Visit the UPMC AnywhereCare website for more information."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"5 Ways to De-Stress and Feel Better During Finals Week","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/dealing-with-finals-stress\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]