Eight Ways to Destress After the ACT
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Angelika Bourke
This past Tuesday, the juniors here at Hamilton (as well as all around Wisconsin) completed the mandatory ACT, a standardized test that is used for college admissions all around the US. The test, which includes 5 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing), puts high school students in a high-stress environment for over 5 hours, something that can have both a physical and mental toll on students, even more so if they take it more than once. Because of this, I have compiled a list of eight things that students can do in order to destress after taking a test, whether that be a big test like the ACT, or any other school test that brings on a lot of stress.
#1: Sleep
Now, this might seem simple (and many people may already do this after a long day at school!) but sleep is the best way to recover after an exhausting day of testing. Whether that be by taking a short nap right after or going to bed a little earlier that night, sleep can help you recover from the mental exhaustion of a test and allow you to wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed.
#2: Exercise
Although this is a little different from the last suggestion, people who are running on adrenaline and need something to calm them down and center themselves may find this strategy helpful. There are many different types of exercise you can do that will help relieve your stress and overall help you feel good and productive after your test. Some common ways of exercising include:
Running/Walking
Hiking
Lifting/Gym
Meditating
Yoga
(and so many more!)
#3: Drawing/Coloring
You can be an artist, but you don’t have to be! Whether you want to be creative and draw a picture or are just content coloring in a coloring book, this mindless activity helps you unwind after a long day of testing and keeps you doing something productive that requires focus (so you aren’t focused on thinking about your test!).
#4: Listening to Music
While this is its own category, this can also go hand in hand with any of the other categories as well! While it’s something that is very simple, it can feel nice and relaxing to just sit and enjoy listening to the music of your choosing without having to worry about doing anything else.
#5: Cooking/Baking
For anyone who loves food, this is for you! Whether you want to make a whole meal or just a sweet treat, cooking and baking are both great ways to decompress after a test as it takes your mind off of said test and forces you to focus on something totally unrelated. Not only will this help you unwind, but you also get something delicious out of it!
#6: Breathing Exercises
While this may seem simple, it is a very quick and effective way to help someone destress after a test. Whether it be by taking measured and/or controlled breaths, or following a specific breathing pattern (some examples are on Healthline and the American Lung Association), this is a great way to get some of that immediate stress off of your chest and help get that adrenaline down and in check. For those taking the ACT again, this is something that can also be done between test sessions or during breaks to stay centered!
#7: Read
There is no better way to spend your day after a stressful test than to pick up that book that you have been wanting to start reading or have wanted to finish reading all day. Reading can be a great escape and a way to get your mind off of the test.
#8: Unplug & Go Outside
While many people just want to sit on their phones after a test, that can bring about more stress as both people and social media are constantly bringing up the test and keeping it on your mind. To avoid this, leave your phone somewhere and go outside. Drive to your favorite spot and watch the sunset, go on a bike ride, go on a hike; there are so many things you can do that don’t take long but can help simply because of getting that fresh air into your lungs. By taking a second and appreciating nature, you are able to relax and reground yourself so you can continue on with your day without being as overwhelmed.
