How To Soothe Exam Stress

Exam Stress

Help take the pressure off your children during exam time with this expert advice.

Along with lighter evenings, early summer sees the start of school exam season. According to mental health charity MIND, the average child will sit 87 exams in their school life, so learning to cope with them is a must. Here are steps Mums and Dads can take to help avoid stress in the first place.

Be Prepared

'Time and place make a big difference to exam prep,' says Wendy Evans from Parentline Plus, a charity offering support to those caring for children. She suggests planning with your children where and when revision will happen. 'Helping them find a quiet area to study regularly will get them to focus. Your encouragement will also help them feel supported, which is crucial for confidence building.'

The Right Food

'A healthy, balanced diet is essential for body growth and development,' says Boots expert nutritionist Vicky Pennington. That means a variety of different food: five-a-day of fruit and veg, lean protein , including 2 servings of oily fish per week, energy-giving carbs such as pasta, wholegrain cereals and potatoes, plus milk and dairy produce for calcium. Also, consider an age-appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement if you feel their diet is lacking. 'In order to concentrate properly they need to be well hydrated, too,' Vicky adds. 'As a guide, ensure they're drinking 6-8 glasses, cups or mugs of fluid a day.'

Find Time To Relax

Encourage your child to wind down between studying and going to bed, with play time - or 'no work' time for tweens and teens. Herbal preperations and aromatherapy oild can help soothe nerves.

Get Them Moving

Exercise boosts energy levels, clears the mind and relieves anxiety, so encourage kids to walk the dog or go swimming with friends. The NHS recommends at least 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Make exams Less Scary

'Lots of children can feel the greatest pressure comes form their family,' says Mark Bajer from Childline, a phone helpline for children and young people. He suggests regular reassurance that failing a test or exam isn't the end of the world, along with plenty of praise for effort.

I hope you find this information helpful. All this information is from the Boots Health & Beauty May/June edition magazine.

I am not qualified to give any medical information or advice, so if you have any concerns you should contact you regular GP.

My 1st Jewellery Collection

My Jewellery

Hello everyone, for the past week or so I have been busying myself with making jewellery. So far I have a small collection on earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

I have made a variety of styles to suit all occasions. I have all the photos below, so feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

I also decided to do a slideshow on YouTube, so you can watch the video below. I hope you like the jewellery and let me know if you have any questions or requests.

Lots Of Love Guys x-x-x

10 Questions - Tag -

10 Questions

So I saw this tag on JuicyTopics YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/JuiceyTopics

and I decided to answer these questions myself. I wanted to share some more information about myself with you guys. You can also check out my 5 random facts video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oib-5oxz6Po

So, here goes.

1. How did you come up with your username?

I came up with my username years ago when I decided to get my first computer. I had to have a username for my e-mail account, and I just so happened to have a candle with the many different names that Jesus Christ was known as. Amongst the names I noticed Good Shepherd & I quite liked the sound of it. So I figured as Christ was the 1st good shepherd I would be GDSHPHRD2. Basically Good Shepherd but without the vowels.

2. What would you do with $1 million dollars? (Currently £688,754.61)

If I had $1 million I would 1st wish that it was £1 million, lol. Joking. I would clear all mine & my families debt so nobody had to worry about that anymore. I'd then buy a new car, buy a house & put the rest into the bank. Sounds very boring I know, but I have to be practical.

3. When are you happiest?

This is actually a really difficult question for me to answer for many reasons. I'm really happy when I have helped someone or if I have a surprise for them. It makes me happy and excited for the person. However, I am also really happy when I'm shopping. I love shopping, I just don't have the money to do it as often as I'd like. Plus I don't have the space to keep everything, lol.

4. What was your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment... hmmm... I can't think of anything recently at all. The last most embarrassing thing I can remember happened years ago. I was at a club and I was "with" one of the bouncers who worked there. So I was upstairs in the club with friends when I decided to get some drinks in. As I decide to make my way down the stairs I noticed he was standing on the stairs watching to see if anything was going on in the club. I was halfway down the stairs where he was stood and all of a sudden the heel on my shoe got caught on the step and I went flying down the stairs right in front of him and the rest of the people who were down the stairs. So I had to pick myself up, brush myself off and walk over to the bar.

5. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

I think I would have to say that my nature is my favourite thing about myself. I can be quite sensitive and emotional, but I am also a kind and caring person who is willing to help anyone. I am a loyal person and I stand up for what I believe in too. The only downside to my kind nature is that people tend to abuse it. They seem to think they can treat me however they want because they know I will come back.

6. Who do you want to take a picture with?

Another difficult question. I love Audrey Hepburn, she was such a classic, elegang, beautiful woman. She was always presented amazingly and she was so graceful. However, that said I'd also have loved to have a photo taken with Michael Jackson. I know everyone always said he was crazy, and I don't agree with certain things he did, like holding a baby outside a window. But it would have been great to have the chance to see him and talk to him.

7. What is your dream job?

Wow, the answer to this questions has changed many times. From a realistic point of view I'd love to be a makeup artist, a personal trainer or a massage therapist. I love doing facials as I find it very relaxing, which for me is great as I can easily get stressed.

8. What is your dream car?

This is going to sound funny but I would love love love a VW camper van. I have always loved them. They are so different and also very handy if you have a day out. I just love them.

9. Name one thing you cannot live without?

The love and support of my family and friends. I don't have many friends, but the ones I do have I know I can trust, which is something important to me. Gotta love family and friends, that includes YouTube friends of mine too. They are all amazing.

10. What is a lesson you've learned in life?

Without wanting to sound cynical I have learned that not everyone can be trusted. I have also learnt not to allow people to treat me badly. I will no longer be walked all over by anyone.

I tag all you guys to do this tag too.

Listen to Your Body

Find The Right Remedy To Ease Your Period Pain

So, I have still been reading the March/April edition of the Boots Health and Beauty magazine when I came across the following article.

You're the best judge of what suits you, your body and your lifestyle. Which is why experts at Feminax have developed a choice of hard-working period pain relief. They know period pain feels different for each woman, so they've made it easier to find something that could work for you.

PAIN RELIEF TO SUIT YOU

New Feminax Express with ibuprofen lysine provides fast relief from all the main symptoms, including cramps, muscular pain, backache and headache. For long-lasting relief with maximum -strength naproxen, have a chat with a Boots pharmacist about Feminax Ultra, which can help ease pain and crampsfor up to eight hours. Always read the lable.

FOUR WAYS TO TACKLE PERIOD PAIN

Try these easy tips...

Getting to know your body:

Note down your symptoms each month. This will help enable you to predict how you're going to feel, so that you know when you'll be in need of some pampering.

Have 'me' time:

Curl up with a hot water bottle, or soak in a bath with aromatherpay oils, to warm your abdomen and lower back.

Get up and go:

It may be the last thing you feel like, but gentle exercise can help ease the pain by relaxing the muscles in your womb.

Find a painkiller that suits you:

Consider a painkiller such a Feminax, which is designed to relieve period pains fast and effectively.

Feminax Ultra £4.99 (9 tablets. Contains naproxen)

Feminax Express £3.79 (16 tablets. Contains iboprofen lysine)

NOTE: ALL THE INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS FROM THE BOOTS HEALTH AND BEAUTY MAGAZINE. I AM NOT A DOCTOR & I CANNOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU CAN SPEAK TO AN OVER THE COUNTER CHEMIST OR YOUR DOCTOR.