There's nothing worse than not being able to sleep before a big occasion especially for teens taking important exams. It's quite normal to be anxious but if lack of sleep is going to have a detrimental effect on performance then you should try to alleviate the problem.

Discuss your son's fears and make sure he feels as prepared for his exams as he can be. See Exams – how to support your teens. Some people find herbal remedies, and drinks like chamomile tea help to relax them into sleep plus you could try these life-style tips as well.

  • Make sure your son is eating properly and drinking plenty of water.
  • He should avoid caffeinated drinks like cola and coffee after 2pm.
  • A good "winding down" bedtime routine helps: a favourite tv programme/book not associated with his studies, warm drink, and a bath.
  • Switch off mobiles and computers and don't have them in the bedroom.
  • Take some exercise in the earlier part of the day but not late in the evening which is counterproductive for sleep.
  • Get him to try some breathing exercises to calm him down.
  • Set an alarm in the morning so he doesn't sleep in. You want to encourage sleep at night not in the morning.