What can I do to stay in a positive frame of my mind?

Reading about Emotions and developing your EI factor

This is where emotional intelligence is so useful. It is a topic for the GS4 paper, Ethics. So reading books on Emotional Intelligence and Human behavior is going to be of great help.

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman is a fantastic place to begin.

You can also watch TED videos on Emotional Intelligence, Human behavior, behavioral science and other such topics. Below are some simple yet important measures that you can take to make sure you have a positive emotional life as you prepare for the Civil services.

Have a good study circle

A good study circle will help you manage your emotions. The best antidote to depression or even sadness is victories. Small wins help you feel better. When you are in a group, you can learn just by listening and debating. Talking with people is a fantastic way to release pressure. And you learn and refresh your memory at the same time. But be careful in choosing your study circle.

Have good friends who praise you

Keep those friends around who admire you; who say positive things about you; who love and adore you. Do not have negative people around. It affects your mood, learning ability and performance. Finding such people who are always there for you, at times, is not easy, I agree. Also talk to your family if they are supportive. Make sure you shut all negativity out of your life.

Exercise

Take care of your physical fitness. Your physical shape has a direct bearing on your emotions. If you have a bulging stomach, you are going to waste time thinking about how to reduce it and develop 6 pack abs. The next thing you think is, I do not have time; I am doing so much already.

Tests and studies have proven that your energy levels depend on your physical fitness to a very great degree. If you are now studying only for 8 hours and are getting tired but want to study for 12 hours and are not able to, the most probable reason is your lack of physical fitness. This lack of physical fitness results in reduced availability of energy to do work. So, please go out there and run. Or cycle. Or swim. Or play a sport. Or hit the gym. Or Aerobics. Or dance. Whatever you like, go do it at least for an hour. Exert yourselves physically and stay in shape.

Of course, there are other advantages. Exercise also releases the feel good hormone, endorphins. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body and in the mind. It rejuvenates you. After a tiring study session, exercise and then rest and then study again. You will find yourself able to grasp that much more had you not exercised.

I cannot overstate the importance of physical fitness and managing your Energy(both Physical and Emotional) in preparing for these exams.

Eat well

Eating clams your brain down. It also reduces negative feelings. I am not asking you to binge. Do not get me wrong. At times, whilst studying many students forgo meals. To them, do not skip meals. Eat well.

Have a bath

A bath is a great way to relax. Most women know this. Men, on the other hand, somehow do not understand this. Have a bath if you are too tensed. You will feel better.