Online and in the shops: Stress busters

Many people first discover Rescue Remedy when they feel stressed during exams. The combination of five Bach Original Flower Essences has been used for more than 80 years to provide support in times of emotional demand and was voted Best Stress Supplement in the Boots Ireland Vitamins Awards.

Suitable for all the family, Rescue is available in a variety of formats, to help students (and parents) stay calm during the exam period. Add a few drops of Rescue Remedy to a bottle of water on exam day, or keep a tin of Rescue Blackcurrant Pastilles or Spearmint Rescue Gum in your pencil case. Rescue Remedy Spray recreates the same calming effects in two quick sprays, while Rescue Remedy Night has white chestnut added to help you enjoy a good night’s sleep; from €5.75; www.rescueremedy.co.uk

FUEL UP: Eating a balanced diet is especially important in the run-up to exams to maintain energy and concentration. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid sugar highs and lows by choosing healthy snacks like fruit and nuts. Foods high in Omega 3s like oily fish support healthy brain function. Eskimo Brain 3-6-9, €29.99, combines fish oil with CoQ10 and GLA to optimise memory and concentration. See thewww.eskimo3.ie for a Fuel Your Brain smoothie recipe.

COLD FACTS: When you are feeling under pressure, it can suppress your immune system and the last thing you need in the run-up to exams is a summer cold. Echinacea is a herbal remedy used to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds and flu. If you do get a cold, taking echinacea reduces the severity of symptoms, research has shown. In a clinical trial of Echinaforce, the echinacea preparation made by A.Vogel, researchers also found the duration of a cold went down by 26%. Echinaforce is suitable for over 12s and is available as a tincture, tablets or a chewable tablet, prices from €5.25; www.avogel.ie

SLEEP EASY: New Nordic’s Melissa Dream, €7.99, is a non-drowsy natural supplement to help calm mind and body and promote a restful sleep. It contains the herbs lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and chamomile, B vitamins, Magnesium and the amino acid L-theanine. Suitable for those over 12, it is contraindicated if you suffer from asthma, as pollen-rich chamomile flowers are used in its preparation; www.naturalife.ie