Math Anxiety Explained: Effects on Learning

Math anxiety is said to be the most common and serious problem among all students as well as adults. It can occur in several ways such as sweaty palms, zoning out, avoiding circumstances that require arithmetic calculations, and much more. Students feel extremely stressed when they encounter situations that demand arithmetic solutions. Therefore, overcoming this issue might seem challenging but it is definitely not impossible. In this blog, we will get a complete explanation of maths anxiety, its symptoms, and how to overcome it in several ways. 

What is a Math Anxiety? 

Math Anxiety is a distinct medical condition and is a feeling of worry, stress, and anxiety. Basically, it is a fear of math experienced by students when they start to solve any math problem. It is identified by mid to severe stress which creates a feeling of restlessness and physical disorientation. It can have a huge effect on mental health as well as it can influence comprehensive well-being in several situations. People who actually fear math feel that they are incapable of achieving anything that is related to maths. 

What are the Symptoms of Maths Anxiety?

Math anxiety can be depicted when a child’s mind goes blank as they forget all the information that is required to carry out the solution: 

1. Low Confidence: Individuals who have maths anxiety generally believe that they are not good at maths, which is why they do not even enjoy it. 

2. Avoidance to Solve Queries: People with maths anxiety might avoid or ignore situations that need math skills. This means that they have very little chance to practice their skills, which encourages their lack of confidence. 

3. Low Grades: Children and adults who possess math anxiety might face toughness in classes at school where they need maths. This incorporates maths, and other related subjects like science, technology, and more. 

4. Fear of Failure: No student wants to fail a test but maths anxiety will boost that too. One may feel overpowered by a feeling that no matter what happens, you are going to fail the test. 

5. Extreme Stress: One of the major symptoms of math anxiety is extreme stress. Extreme stress can harm a student’s mental health and can lead to many serious consequences at an early age which is not good for their future. 

Tips to Overcome Math Anxiety

Here are some of the crucial tips that can help you in overcoming math anxiety: 

1. Acknowledge your Anxiety

The very foremost step is acknowledging your sacredness for maths. Know that you have maths anxiety with maths and then take preventive measures to overcome it. Once you acknowledge this, it will be much easier to take action. 

2. Avoid Negative Thoughts 

Instead of thinking that ” maths is not a cup of tea for me”, give your mind positive instructions. Believe in positive affirmations like “I am capable of performing maths”. Such positive thoughts will encourage you to solve maths queries with confidence whereas the negative ones can erase your self-confidence and put you in a position of stress and anxiety. 

3. Practice is the Key

Practice will bring perfection. It is the only method to enhance your maths skills. Solving queries related to maths daily might not sound interesting but it will surely boost your arithmetic skills. Take some time out only for mathematics. This will provide a substantial shift in your attitude as well as performance. 

4. Take Coaching 

Having a good mentor can help you in many ways. Additional coaching after school will make the syllabus, basics, and exam patterns more clear and precise. Several students face this anxiety due to the dull way of teaching. Therefore, you can reach out to teachers who can provide you with adequate guidance and help. 

5. Use Fun Learning Methods

Utilize fun and entertaining ways to study math. Look for learning materials like math games, puzzles, and other experimental activities to find a solution. Such ways encourage involvement and creativity which help students improve their skills even more. 

6. Practice Mindfulness

Various studies revealed that when students with immense math stress practice mindful breathing exercises, they tend to have a sense of relaxation and can perform better on timed examinations. Therefore, a calm and peaceful mind is necessary for such problem-solving and critical-thinking subjects. 

7. Ask for Help

A student should never hesitate to ask queries. Delaying in asking questions can impact your grasp of the subject. Ask the teacher whenever you feel like asking, it will help you boost your confidence as well as let you know where your basics lack.

Conclusion 

Math anxiety is a usual experience. It makes an individual feel tensed and panicked when it comes to solving the maths problems which further makes it tougher for students to think. This results in a cycle of lower confidence and stress that can influence school or work performance. However, the given tips and other anxiety treatments can be really helpful. So it is important to stick by these and lose your fear of maths anxiety. 

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