Words & pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham
Exam season has begun, and it can be a stressful time to be a young person. Whether as a year 6 pupil, feeling nervous about the big move to secondary, or preparing for GCSE’s or A-Levels, it can be a pressure filled time of year.
The problem is that this pressure can become a negative and crippling force in many young people’s lives, impacting their mental wellbeing in small or significant ways.
For some this can look like overworking and getting stuck in revision. For others it may be complete avoidance or an inability to sit and revise.
As adults we can all play a significant role in helping make this time less stressful and mentally taxing for young people by encouraging and role modelling what it looks like to find a healthy balance between focus, rest and play is essential.
The reality is succeeding during exams does require times of focus, and revision cannot be ignored.
But it also needn’t be all consuming. We all need time to rest our minds and our bodies, and making sure young people know ways to rest and relax is important.
Play can be a great way to do this. This will look different for different ages and for different people, but includes elements of exploration, creativity, and fun.
Perhaps it’s playing a sport, or painting, or jumping on a trampoline – the possibilities are endless! This is as essential for our mental wellbeing, and performance, as getting a good night’s sleep.
For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org
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