With over 3 million students around the UK giving exams during the May-June exam period, it is no surprise that the highest cause of concern is exam stress and anxiety.

In an Exam Survey Study conducted by ChildLine, 96% of the 1300 who completed the survey felt anxious about exams and revision. 63% of all students felt anxious about not getting a good job, or getting into a university due to doing badly in their exams.

One of the biggest factors is unhealthy eating and junk food that could decrease productivity in students. By eating well, even if its just an extra glass of water every day, can help your productivity.

Dr Mark Gardner, Principal Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, together with Dr Caroline Edmonds at the University of East London carried out a series of attention and memory tests on young adults before drinking water, after consuming 25ml and then 300ml. The results were that both groups were satisfied at 300ml with also reporting an increase in ‘good mood’ by almost 20 per cent after drinking the same amount.

Some foods to help with Exam stress and how to use your brain to full capacity are:

• Bananas: They are known to boost serotonin in the brain, which helps elevate and stabilize mood. They also have a lot of potassium which leads to a stable blood pressure.
• Fish: Known as ‘brain-foods’ are high in omega 3s and protein that keeps your brain working all day long. The best type of fish are oily such as mackerel, salmon and sardines. But, if you’re on a budget, Herring and trout work just as well.
• Milk: A natural stabilizer of nervous system due to the amount of calcium in it. When a person is stressed, higher amounts of calcium is discharged through the body. Fix that intake with a glass of cold milk.
• Citrus Fruits: Any type of fresh fruit is good for the brain. Citrus foods in particular are full of vitamin C. They’re a good source of folic acid which enables physical growth as well.
• Water: Water helps with digestion, as well as hydration. When stressed, people forget to drink water which can lead to body aches and fatigue.
• Spinach: Iron in spinach helps in developing a strong immunity and helps in developing social and aids in the formation of haemoglobin and essential enzymes.
• Green Tea: A good source of caffeine, that isn’t energy drinks. Not only will the green tea clean your system from all the foods and binge-drinking you’re doing to cope with exam stress, they are filled with antioxidants and helps boost concentration.