Exam Season Refresher

Actually it's already here (for some of my friends it's already over), and along with it comes an inordinate amount of stress. There is ample research on the effect of stress on the human body, and it can lead to high blood pressure, trouble sleeping, susceptibility to illness and infection, amongst other things.

This I know all too well - I unfortunately caught a sickness bug at the very beginning of my exam season and the stress no doubt exacerbated the situation to the point where I was so dehydrated I was hospitalized, missed work and struggled to concentrate on revision. I'm now about halfway through my exam period and I'm finding it a lot harder to stay focussed, and to remember to keep drinking water.

Because honestly, water is your best revision tool - yes, that energy drink might get you through late-night study sessions, but they can be so unhealthy and cause palpitations, stomach cramps, sluggishness and dizziness. Water boosts brain function, helps you focus and can even help with insomnia (a common side-effect of stress), but it can be hard to get into the habit of consuming the recommended 2 litres of water a day if you're used to juice or sodas, or miss the taste of something more. This is where infused water comes in.

Blueberry-Cucumber Infused Water

Time to make: Less than 5 minutes

Cost per portion: £0.25

Calories per portion: 0

Portions of your 5 a day: 1+

You will need:

• Water
• Cucumber Slices
• Blueberries
• Mint or Lemon Slices (Optional)

It really is simple - cut a few slices of cucumber, depending on how strong you want the flavour, and place them at the bottom of a glass. Make a small cut in each of the blueberries to release some of the flavour and mix with the cucumber. Fill the glass with water. The blueberries really help flush out some of the toxins in your body (particularly post-hangover) and the cucumber has anti-inflammatory properties, but you can add literally anything you want - adding mint helps with digestion, and lemon aids weight loss. If you really want the flavour to stand out, muddle the fruits at the bottom of the glass (this works particularly well with mint) or allow the fruit-infused water to stand for half an hour before drinking.

The best part about it is that if you make a glass in the morning, you can just keep refilling all day and it doesn't lose any of the flavour. It really encourages you to keep drinking water, and you'll notice such a difference in your concentration levels.

To anyone reading this who is just about to start, or is in the middle of exams, good luck! Keep calm, don't forget how amazing it will feel once it's all over, and remember to drink your 2 litres.