Ian's October 2023 Newsletter

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As the end of the year looms, exam time approaches. This can be a very challenging time for those taking the exams as well as their parents. For those doing their final high school exams the pressure can be quite gruelling and an emotional rollercoaster as the outcome of these exams can be life changing.

While studying and preparation are crucial, it's equally important to recognise the significant role emotional support plays during this period. The Australian Bush Flower Essences can be of great assistance to guide one through the challenges of an exam period.

Below are a selection of helpful tips and specific Bush Essences that I have found to be very effective for students.

Clear your Space

Create a peaceful study environment by purifying your space and taking regular breaks. Our Space Clearing Mist is fantastic in creating a peaceful and harmonious environment in your study space, as it releases any built-up negative emotional or psychic energies. Clearing clutter from your study sanctuary can result in a better ability to focus and process information, as well as increasing productivity. You will find it easier to tidy your study space if you first take a dose of Focus Essence.

Creating an ambiance with music can greatly improve your mood and concentration. Why not listen to one of our CDs/digital downloads as you study. I always play the White Light CD in the venue when I'm teaching my One Day workshops, where there is a lot of content. This, along with regular doses of Focus Essence, allows the workshops participants to more easily absorb and retain the information.

Self-care

It is easy to neglect yourself when your studies become your No.1 priority. Prioritising a self-care routine by exercising regularly, eating well and getting plenty of rest is very important. Philotheca is an essence that helps you be aware of and look after your own needs. Flannel Flower can be used to encourage a person to be physically active. Exam fear and pressure can turn students into “desk potatoes”. Exercise will benefit not only their energy levels, but will also aid better sleep, memory and concentration.

To aid sleep I highly recommend spraying the bedroom with Calm & Clear Space Mist and using either the Calm & Clear therapeutic cream or Roll-on on the face or pulse points respectively when going to bed. If you have been playing the White Light CD, this will also assist you in sleeping well.

A daily ritual can also count as self-care. It might be as easy as a little massage using one of our therapeutic creams or taking a mindfulness break to do a guided meditation and taking the Meditation Essence with this practice. Meditation is a wonderful alleviator of stress and worry, while also enhancing intuition.

Boosting Self-esteem

Confid Essence can be considered for any student who is lacking in self-confidence or doubting their abilities. They may feel like a failure or believe they are not as good as the other students. This essence can help bring about greater self-assurance and confidence for success. It will also help release any guilt a student may be feeling for not having studied enough or who is feeling bad about themselves, stemming from poor previous exam results.

Studying Effectively

Focus Essence is THE essence to help one concentrate, reduce procrastination and scattered thinking whilst also promoting the ability to be centred and grounded. It's a wonderful remedy to reduce overwhelm, which often happens when students have underestimated how long it will take to prepare for the exams or have left studying for their exams till the last minute. Likewise, it's also for those who can be very vague, dreamy and often disorganised. As well as the drops and oral spray there is also now the Focus Space Mist, which the student can spray all around themselves and their work area. Or they can use the Focus Roll-on on their pulse points.

Another way to feel refreshed and stay focused is to spray yourself with our brand-new Honey Myrtle hydrosol, released only in the last few days. Its scent is exquisite!

Kapok Essence can be considered for apathy or resignation towards the exams or their study.

Hibbertia Essence, a hugely under-utilised remedy, works both for those who lack self-discipline and can be lazy, as well as the overzealous perfectionist, bringing balance to both these extremes.

Positive Affirmations

Affirmations, or positive statements, can greatly benefit and enhance exam studies. Affirmations also assist to combat negative self-talk and self-doubt, replacing them with empowering beliefs. By incorporating affirmations into their study routine, students create a mental environment conducive to learning, allowing them to overcome challenges, reduce anxiety and effectively retain and recall information.

Coping on the day of the Exam

Most students will feel a degree of discomfort and unease before an exam. Many teachers have told me how they spray the classroom with the Emergency Essence Space Mist before the students come into the room for their exam. They say it settles and calms them down fantastically well.

I usually advise students to be taking Focus Essence during the lead up and the preparation for exams and to take Emergency Essence, if needed, on the day of the exam. Emergency Essence is a great one for their parents too!

Students can take this essence quite frequently again if they need before the exam. When they are feeling comfortable and at ease, they'll be more readily able to perform at their best during the exam.

After the Exams

Older students especially devote more time, focus and effort to their exam study than younger ones. Many would have knocked back party invitations, movie outings and other social events so they could study more. Often, they'll be thinking how wonderful it will be when exams are over and they can do all the things they want. Yet, straight after the exams they can feel dispirited and flat and not at all interested in doing all the things they were previously looking forward to. Silver Princess Essence can help get them back into the moment and ready to move forward with enthusiasm again.

Emergency Essence can be thought of if they're disappointed or upset by the exam results, while Confid Essence could be used if they have regrets about the exams or their self-esteem has taken a bit of a hit by the results.

Little Flannel Flower can be used to bring about a sense of playfulness and fun if they have become a tad grim and serious with all their exams and the preparation for them.

The emotional wellbeing of our children and teens during exam time is very important and it can also greatly affect their ability to learn and retain information. The Australian Bush Flower Essences can help address, balance and enhance all the unique ways they learn, study and take exams.