[KoK! Health] 12 Days Until Suneung... Maintain Regular Condition with Periodic Stretching and Acupressure

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) is less than two weeks away. Experts advise that this is the time to prepare to be in the best condition on the exam day, and recommend avoiding all-nighters or excessive caffeine intake for last-minute cramming.

Professor Kim Yoon-na of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital's Student Care Clinic said on the 5th, "Excessive ambition can cause unnecessary energy consumption and fatigue, so it is important to maintain your usual condition," adding, "Stress can cause chest tightness, headaches, indigestion, and insomnia, so it is necessary to regularly practice stress-relieving activities such as stretching and qigong meditation to manage stress."

When your mind feels blank or you cannot solve problems well, instead of lingering on them for a long time, it is necessary to relax through breathing relaxation techniques and then refocus your attention. Regularly pressing the hollow point at the inner end of the eyebrow (Chanjuk acupoint) can clear the head and eyes, which is useful for improving concentration and reducing anxiety.

Meals can also affect the condition of examinees. Since stress from test anxiety can make the digestive system sensitive, it is better to first eat non-irritating foods among those you usually consume. Eating too much can cause drowsiness, so it is appropriate to eat about two-thirds of your usual meal size. If symptoms such as bloating or abdominal pain occur, regularly pressing the area 5 cm above the wrist crease on the palm side (Naegwan acupoint) is recommended.

For breakfast, which helps brain function and concentration, porridge that is light and nutritious is good; however, if you normally do not eat breakfast, it might be a burden. Minimize overly spicy or greasy foods, but protein and carbohydrates are essential for improving concentration. Foods with simple sugars such as chocolate, candy, and bananas help replenish calories. Coffee or energy drinks can be consumed, but they may cause headaches and promote diuresis, which can interfere with the exam, so it is better to prepare warm tea or water.

Professor Kim advised that among Korean medicinal teas, Jinpi (dried tangerine peel) tea is useful for examinees. Jinpi is the dried peel of ripe tangerines, and when steeped in warm water, it gives off a fragrant tangerine aroma. Jinpi helps to circulate qi and unblock stagnant energy. It reduces narrow-minded thinking and refreshes the mood, making it beneficial for examinees who sit for long hours preparing for exams and experience a lot of stress.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.