A-Levels Anxiety? How to Destress Before Results Day
Feeling anxious about A-level results day is completely normal, and you won’t be the only one experiencing it. After months of revision and exams, it’s natural for the waiting to feel like the hardest part. The big day falls on 13th August this year, so here are some useful ways to look after your mental health in the run-up.
Lean on the People Around You
Spending time with friends, family or a partner is one of the simplest ways to ease stress. Studies consistently show that supportive relationships boost our mental wellbeing, and there’s a good chance your friends who are also waiting on results are feeling the same way, so you can support each other rather than sitting with it alone.
It doesn’t need to be complicated. Grabbing food together, having a catch-up, or putting on a film will take your mind off things far more effectively than scrolling alone will.
Stay Active
Even five minutes of exercise can help regulate stress levels and ease anxiety. You don’t need to train for a marathon; just staying reasonably active in the build-up will help, whether that’s a walk, a bike ride, a swim or a jog. Sitting still with your thoughts tends to make anxiety louder, not quieter, so moving helps break that cycle, and the endorphin boost afterwards is usually worth it on its own.
Protect Your Sleep
Stress and poor sleep feed each other. If you’ve been struggling to switch off or finding yourself tossing and turning, a regular bedtime is one of the simplest things that can help, and going to bed at a similar time each night gives your body something to work with. If your mind won’t settle, try a calming film, some music, or a few minutes of deep breathing before bed. You’ve worked hard all exam season. Getting proper rest now isn’t a waste of time; it’s part of recovering from it.
Eat Well and Watch the Caffeine and Alcohol
Anxiety can kill your appetite, but skipping meals tends to make things worse, not better. Try to eat something roughly every three to five hours, and cooking with friends or family can double as a bit of stress relief in itself.
It’s also worth being mindful of caffeine and alcohol. Both are easy to reach for when you’re stressed, but too much of either tends to amplify anxiety rather than settle it, and alcohol in particular is a depressant, so it’s best used in moderation rather than as a coping mechanism.
Cut Down on Screen Time
If your feed is full of results day countdowns, exam chat or other people’s plans, it’s fine to step back from it for a while. Comparing your situation to everyone else’s online rarely helps, and reducing your screen time in the days before results day can take a surprising amount of pressure off.
Make Time for Yourself
Whether you’ve got a part-time job, hobbies or a packed social life, make sure some of your time in the coming weeks is just for you. If you can’t remember the last time you properly switched off, that’s usually a sign a self-care day is overdue. You’ve earned a proper break after finishing your A-levels, so even 20 minutes a day doing something you enjoy can help keep anxiety in check and remind you what’s actually within your control.
Be Kind to Yourself
Try to catch the “I should have done better” or “I’m going to fail” spiral before it takes hold. Research consistently links self-compassion to better wellbeing, and the truth is simple: you’ve already sat the exams and finished that chapter. All that’s left is the wait, so there’s nothing to be gained from being harsh on yourself in the meantime.
We’re not mental health professionals, so if you’re finding it hard to manage your anxiety to the point where it feels overwhelming, please reach out for proper support rather than struggling through it alone. Two good places to start are Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, and YoungMinds, which offers advice and support for young people and students.
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