Dealing with exams

How to succeed at stopping diarrhoea

Whether you’re taking your A Levels or your driving test, examinations can make your insides churn. Although most people are familiar with the feeling of ‘butterflies’ in their stomach’, for some these nerves can also lead to diarrhoea.

This type of upset stomach is sometimes referred to as PAD, or Performance Anxiety Diarrhoea. In other words, diarrhoea that is linked to activities where you have to perform, such as exams, competitions, speeches, or interviews.
So if you know that stress or nerves disturb your body’s natural rhythm, here are a few tips to help you prepare for a stressful event:

• Know your stuff
  
  Obviously, the more confident you are about the exam or interview, the less stressed you will be, so make sure you allow yourself enough time to revise for the big day. If you’re preparing for a speech or interview, try and go through your lines and answers with other people.
  
  
• Breathe
  
  Learn to breathe deeply and slowly to calm yourself. You could even learn how to meditate.
   
• Eat relaxing foods
  
  Wholegrains and green, leafy vegetables are rich in B vitamins, which help you relax – so make wholemeal sandwiches and tuck into oaty snacks.
   
• Get physical
  
  Physical activity works off the biochemical and physical changes that stress causes in your body.