Stress: the word that litters the vocabulary of the young teen and shortly becomes a permanent resident. It is remarkable how its mere sibilant sound actually manages to evoke a sense of panic; the brain is frenzied, and you’re left in a dark rut.

Even thinking about stress creates stress. I, along with many of my friends, have mastered the ability to become incredibly stressed, incredibly easily. We all know it’s inevitable; 20-plus exams equals stress, right? So we’re here in the month of April, when the exam period is no longer a hazy blur, the heat is on – and the stress is switched up full throttle.

Of course, there are those – who I both hate and applaud – who never seem to undergo this angst.

It could just be an illusion for some. I like to think that there’s a flapping wreck underneath all those cool exteriors.

But truth be told, some people honestly do not get stressed. They either seem to ride the bicycle of life, and keep it in perfect balance, or just do not bother.

I am one physics past-exam paper from the latter; my current migraines make the idea abundantly more appealing.

We’re all told in the many pre-exam assembly pep talks to stop stressing, “relax”, “don’t worry too much” is a classic.

However, these words seem extremely vacant and futile without any solutions or advice.

My brain tends to veer off the path when it comes to taking any useful instructions as it is, telling myself to unwind just doesn’t cut it.

So, as my usual ‘go to’ when my schooling fails me, I sought refuge on Google in hope of a little advice on how to lead a stress-free life.

After sifting through a whole host of sites, there seemed to be quite a few common themes, firstly: organising your life effectively.

This came as no surprise. Unfortunately, through my fault entirely (music to my parents’ ears) I am hopelessly disorganised.

Revision books are strewn on every surface, I am clueless about my every day schedule, and this advice made me realise how much unnecessary stress I burden myself with.

On to the next word of help, a more achievable task in the short-term: taking time to breathe deeply.

As basic as this sounds, it really does help. In fact, I’ve taken to it so much that I’ve signed up to yoga classes. I’m soon to see whether the “downward dog” really will alleviate strain.

Thirdly: exercise; it’s an uncomfortable truth that exercise – along with its other incredibly extensive benefits – is an excellent stress reliever.

I’ve taken to running to trial this out and above all I believe this has helped the most.

There’s something in that wheezing that diminishes all exam fixations and I would highly recommend it to the stressed.

If all else fails, among the quirkier of websites, I found that face yoga is said to be highly effective.

Whether it is as bizarre as this, or as simple as breathing in deeply, what is there to lose?

Just don’t stress about it.