Get Out From Behind Your Desk to Manage "GMAT Stress"

The GMAT preparation process is inherently pressure-filled. So, if you prepare for the GMAT for months, as most test-takers must, you need to find ways to blow off steam. Stepping away from your desk and getting your body moving is a great way to do that.

Exercise is a scientifically proven stress-reducer. It both lowers the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body and stimulates endorphin production, improving your mood. Exercise also provides an energy boost and helps regulate sleep.

Even if you can get in only a 20-minute run, you’ll feel the benefits! So, try to make your preferred method of regular exercise a part of your schedule. Consider it another facet of your GMAT prep!

Additionally, a simple change of scenery can be helpful in overcoming GMAT stress. Between work or school and GMAT prep, spending hours upon hours seated at a desk each day can make us feel physically and mentally sluggish. So, if you’re dealing with GMAT stress, it might be time to mix things up.

For example, if the weather is nice, instead of studying at home on Saturday morning, grab a cup of coffee at your favorite coffee shop and find a quiet spot to study at a local park. If you’re using flashcards to aid your GMAT prep, why not take a stroll around your neighborhood while you quiz yourself with them?

The point is, doing the same thing day in and day out can make preparing for the GMAT feel like a grind. That feeling breeds stress. So, get out from behind your desk, get moving, and get a change of scenery. You may be surprised how refreshed you feel when you do!

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep