Exam season is almost upon us and many young people will be working towards qualifications in earnest now.

It can be hard enough focusing on doing the work and making sure you are revising thoroughly enough. For many, though there is the stress, anxiety and worry of the exams themselves. 

Exams, by definition, can be very stressful. By their very nature they ‘high stakes’ and can feel like your whole future depends on them. Added to this, they frequently take place in an alien environment that is nothing like the normal learning space. Students can feel isolated and exposed in a hall of desk upon desk.

It is no wonder that many students can experience varying symptoms.  Ranging from butterflies, lack of sleep and even occasionally all-out panic attack both before and during the exams.

I am one of Vinings’ Life Coaches and a Master Practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming.  I have worked with many teenagers and older students, both in schools and one-to-one. By changing the way they experience the exams and employing some techniques, I have found that they can often feel significantly better.

Feeling better can also mean that students perform better and can be more focused on their work.

Exam Confidence Workshop

That is why I have planned this one-off exam confidence session on Tuesday 30 April at Cafe Rouge in Haywards Heath.

The session is aimed at students and a parent or parents. I will talk about the causes and effects of exam stress and then teach some techniques and approaches that can help students cope better over the period. The presence of parents ensures that there is someone else who is familiar with the techniques who can support them to consciously use the techniques going forward.

If you are interested in attending this event, numbers are limited to 22 and some places are already allocated so please do sign up soon. You can purchase tickets on my website, or make your booking directly over the phone on 07877074053.

Working with ‘Big-T’ and ‘small-t’ traumas.

Why both deserve our respect and attention.

By Ruth Anderson-Davis

EFT & Matrix Reimprinting can be helpful in releasing anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, phobias, traumas, negative subconscious beliefs, grief or any past event you might need help moving on from.

Even physical conditions can sometimes have their root in the mental/emotional stress. Finding and gently releasing the root cause of emotional stress can bring great relief, healing and new perspectives to your life.

The Art of Self Care:  Herbal and Holistic Wellbeing
by Vinings’ Herbalist, Ms Yaso Shan

Introduction

Our world is moving quickly. Many of us have very little down time and lots of pressure to constantly perform at a high level. We need to have a great career, be in the best shape, and have a fabulous marriage. Our kids need to be academic geniuses, athletically gifted, and get into prestigious colleges and universities. Having the latest designer clothing and the most expensive car we can afford (or not) proves our success. We then post it all on Facebook so we can compare ourselves to each other.

In reality, our job isn’t the dream we thought it would be, and we are working long hours. Our second job as parents includes shuttling kids all over town and finding time to cook and eat dinner.

What can all this frenzy lead to? Stress. We are frazzled, rushed, and trying to do it all. As a result of all this stress we can experience weight gain, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and digestive issues. The physical symptoms of stress become normal and the doctor prescribes medication. Long term chronic stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other serious illness.

Even though we cannot completely eliminate stress from our lives, the good news is that there are better ways of coping with stress in order to reduce the effects on our health. Self-care is essential for your physical and mental health and well-being. Self-care is at the bottom of the list for most women, giving way to the mother, wife and any other role that needs to be filled. So how do you keep up?

We all tend to put everyone else first, and ourselves last, don’t we? But that doesn’t do us any good, or those around us. It’s time to learn the Art of Self Care, in a series of totally free talks at Vinings Natural Health Centre.

Each Tuesday evening starting on Tuesday 18th September, 7pm – 8pm, one of our therapists will share their knowledge and experience on the topic of The Art of Self Care. The talks are free but space is limited so please do let us know if you are planning to come along – call 01444 441 210 and leave us a message – thank you!

We look forward to welcoming you to Vinings!