<text> Y eldest is 18. She takes her A level exams this year. So the final 'long hard slog'has just begun for her. She dreads the next few months and to be honest so do I. I have no doubt that tensions are going to rise in our home as the exam dates loom closer and she and her school books and past papers spill out of her bedroom and take over more and more of our communal living space!

I`m not sure how or when school exams became such high pressure but there is no doubt that for many young students, (still children), they are. There seems to be much more of a scramble for high achievement. Achieving an A level is no longer of full merit but rather it is the grade that really matters. The A grade has been upgraded by the A* and many students are under intense pressure to achieve As and A*s for University requirements. The result is a huge self induced pressure to perform and exam results that often come at too high a price.

I have no doubt that as the next weeks progress, so too will the tell tale signs of my eldest under pressure. Her complexion will grow whiter, her eyes will develop dark rings underneath, evidence of not enough sleep, she`ll lose weight without trying and she`ll gradually become more worried, tense and irritable. By the time the exams actually arrive, I like many parents, will be at my wit's end and willing the whole process to an end.

In the interim all I can do is to do my best for her. I`ll make sure she eats her meals and provide good home cooking in the evening. I`ll encourage her to walk her dog and take regular breaks. I`ll try to insist on an evening finishing time, but we both know already that as we get closer to the exams, that is a battle I won`t always win.

In terms of supplements I`ll make sure she takes her fish oils and multivitamin each morning. I`ll also make sure she has Theanine and Lemon Balm Complex available for bedtime and for whenever else she feels she needs it.

Theanine is a fascinating amino acid that crosses the blood brain barrier and increases GABA and Alpha waves in the brain. This results in a calming effect without drowsiness. It increases the meditative state and so helps overcome states of worry and stress. Interestingly theanine occurs naturally in tea and is responsible for that `nice cup of tea` or `hug in a mug` feeling that is associated with drinking it. Lemon Balm has a long history of being used in Herbal medicine as a sedative and relaxant without inducing drowsiness. Recent studies have also indicated that it is useful for improving attention and memory. Theanine and Lemon balm Complex can be taken during study whenever panic and worry take over. This supplement will help settle nervousness within thirty minutes and allow the student to settle at study again. It can also be taken at bedtime to help switch the poor brain off after a hard day`s work and render sleep to come more easily. Theanine and Lemon Balm can be taken alongside other medication and has no known contraindications or side effects, (as a precaution avoid alongside epilepsy medicines).

So that`s what I`ll be doing for my daughter over the next few months while of course holding on tight to my mother`s old adage that, 'This too will pass!' </text> <text> Y eldest is 18. She takes her A level exams this year. So the final 'long hard slog'has just begun for her. She dreads the next few months and to be honest so do I. I have no doubt that tensions are going to rise in our home as the exam dates loom closer and she and her school books and past papers spill out of her bedroom and take over more and more of our communal living space!

I`m not sure how or when school exams became such high pressure but there is no doubt that for many young students, (still children), they are. There seems to be much more of a scramble for high achievement. Achieving an A level is no longer of full merit but rather it is the grade that really matters. The A grade has been upgraded by the A* and many students are under intense pressure to achieve As and A*s for University requirements. The result is a huge self induced pressure to perform and exam results that often come at too high a price.

I have no doubt that as the next weeks progress, so too will the tell tale signs of my eldest under pressure. Her complexion will grow whiter, her eyes will develop dark rings underneath, evidence of not enough sleep, she`ll lose weight without trying and she`ll gradually become more worried, tense and irritable. By the time the exams actually arrive, I like many parents, will be at my wit's end and willing the whole process to an end.

In the interim all I can do is to do my best for her. I`ll make sure she eats her meals and provide good home cooking in the evening. I`ll encourage her to walk her dog and take regular breaks. I`ll try to insist on an evening finishing time, but we both know already that as we get closer to the exams, that is a battle I won`t always win.

In terms of supplements I`ll make sure she takes her fish oils and multivitamin each morning. I`ll also make sure she has Theanine and Lemon Balm Complex available for bedtime and for whenever else she feels she needs it.

Theanine is a fascinating amino acid that crosses the blood brain barrier and increases GABA and Alpha waves in the brain. This results in a calming effect without drowsiness. It increases the meditative state and so helps overcome states of worry and stress. Interestingly theanine occurs naturally in tea and is responsible for that `nice cup of tea` or `hug in a mug` feeling that is associated with drinking it. Lemon Balm has a long history of being used in Herbal medicine as a sedative and relaxant without inducing drowsiness. Recent studies have also indicated that it is useful for improving attention and memory. Theanine and Lemon balm Complex can be taken during study whenever panic and worry take over. This supplement will help settle nervousness within thirty minutes and allow the student to settle at study again. It can also be taken at bedtime to help switch the poor brain off after a hard day`s work and render sleep to come more easily. Theanine and Lemon Balm can be taken alongside other medication and has no known contraindications or side effects, (as a precaution avoid alongside epilepsy medicines).

So that`s what I`ll be doing for my daughter over the next few months while of course holding on tight to my mother`s old adage that, 'This too will pass!' </text>