Key Takeaways
- These habits work for every student, not only those with diagnosed anxiety
- Meditation, therapy, self-compassion, somatic experiencing, and grounding techniques all build mental resilience
- Sleep, nutrition, and supplements matter enormously for cognitive performance and emotional regulation
- Start daily habits at least 3 months before your test date for maximum benefit
- Caffeine + sugar crashes can mimic and amplify anxiety symptoms
Tips That Work for Every LSAT Student
Now I want to get into real ways we can lower these anxiety attacks during the LSAT. This advice should be implemented by EVERY student whether they think they suffer from anxiety or not or whether they are receiving accommodations or not. WE ALL COULD BENEFIT from these tips and tricks.
(If you're not sure whether what you're experiencing is anxiety, our guide to what LSAT test anxiety actually feels like walks through the most common signs.)
Meditation and Mindfulness Practices for LSAT Prep
Practice meditation daily starting 3 months before the test. Try to meditate at the same time every day so it becomes a true habit. I HIGHLY recommend Tara Brach's free online meditation course that will give you helpful instructions on how to meditate as a beginner. Additionally, I recommend meditating before each PT. I like the "Body Scan" meditation by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield before I start the timer on a PT. There is a huge body of evidence that supports the conclusion that meditation can improve cognitive function and memory.
Therapy and Mental Health Support
Having a therapist who you are established with during your studying days can help immensely in preparation for test day. It is fantastic to have someone who you can work out your stress with, address a fear of failure, or support a low self esteem so that way when you're studying and taking PTs you can fully focus on the information in front of you and not be distracted by intrusive and negative thoughts.
It can be really hard to commit yourself to the methodical processes that the LSAT requires when we are so bogged down by mean thoughts about ourselves. A modality that is especially tailored to feelings of fear and low self worth is Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Google IFS practitioners near you if you are trying to find one.
Mindful Self-Compassion and Growth Mindset
Kristin Neff and Carol Dweck are the leaders in Self Compassion and what it means to have a Growth Mindset. There is enormous research out there that supports the hypothesis that when we have compassion for ourselves and have this belief that "I didn't get a question wrong I just didn't get it right YET!" our capacity for learning, storing information, understanding complex problems shoots up dramatically! These are all skills you need on the LSAT!
I highly encourage you to read Mindset by Carol Dweck, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown, and Self Compassion by Kristin Neff. We should never put our score before our own self worth!
Somatic Experiencing for Faster Anxiety Relief
Practicing Somatic Experiencing with a somatic experiencing practitioner can be extremely impactful! This is a body oriented therapeutic approach that focuses on physical sensations in the body around stress and trauma instead of focusing on how to change your thoughts like CBT.
It is important to note that somatic experiencing is not approved as a therapeutic modality by the American Psychological Association. However, many therapists consider it a gold standard treatment in lowering a patient's anxiety QUICKLY, where CBT can take years.
Grounding Techniques for Test Day
Practicing ways you can ground yourself: some students really respond to the prompt "notice your breath, don't try to change it" and that can really lower their heart rate and regulate their breathing. Some students can regulate their nervous system on test day by putting a hand over their heart or throat — the warm touch can calm them down.
There are endless ways to "self regulate," "self soothe," or "ground yourself," and I encourage you to google this on your own so you can get advice from more qualified individuals.
Support Groups and Community
There are numerous online support groups that you can attend virtually all centered around perfectionism, low self esteem, fear of failure, and anxiety. I highly encourage you to try and find a tribe that is dedicated to making you feel seen and heard.
Running from our mental health struggles will only make them worse and louder! I highly encourage you to face your fears and reach out for help. The LSAT can be an extremely stressful and traumatic ordeal for the vast majority of students and you should never be made to suffer alone.
Sleep Hygiene for LSAT Students
Sleep hygiene is EXTREMELY important whenever we are trying to regulate our nervous system and anxiety. Some examples of good sleep hygiene are:
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule (get at LEAST 7 hours of sleep a night)
- Limiting screen exposure before bed (audiobooks and podcasts are fine)
- Reducing caffeine intake, especially later in the day (cut it off by 4pm)
- Using mindfulness or meditation exercises before sleep (let's go Spotify!)
- Practicing breathing exercises or relaxation techniques
- Creating a quiet, dark sleep environment (blackout curtains and white noise machine)
- Avoiding late-night studying (you are tired, GO TO BED)
- Engaging in regular exercise (it could just be a 30 min walk, which is great!)
- Journaling or cognitive reframing before bed (I like to play sudoku in a large book before bed)
- Raising your body temperature with a hot shower before bed or having a hot cup of caffeine-free tea
- Magnesium before bed with tart cherry juice
- Protein before bed to help you stay asleep all night long
Nutrition for Steady Energy and Focus
Your brain uses enormous amounts of energy during intensive reasoning. Large blood sugar swings can sometimes worsen fatigue, stress sensitivity, brain fog, and concentration problems. Eating regular meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats may help support steadier energy and emotional regulation during studying and test day.
Eat a Savory, Protein-Packed Breakfast
- Eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Protein oatmeal
- Turkey sausage
- Protein smoothie with fat and fiber
For anxious students, a pure-carb breakfast can sometimes produce: shakiness, energy crashes, irritability, or worsened stress reactivity later.
Avoid "Naked Carbs" and Snack Consistently
Instead of plain cereal, toast alone, or a granola bar alone, do:
- Apple + peanut butter
- Toast + butter + eggs
- Rice + chicken
- Oatmeal + protein powder + chia seeds
This slows glucose absorption and reduces rapid spikes and crashes.
Eat Fiber First
Research does support that meal order can affect post-meal glucose response:
- Salad before pasta
- Veggies before rice
- Carrots and hummus before pizza
Don't Study All Day on Caffeine and Sugar
High caffeine plus unstable glucose can amplify:
- Cortisol
- Jitters
- Panic sensations
- Attentional fragmentation
Supplements That May Support Focus and Mood
- Switching from coffee to mushroom coffee can be a game changer for anxious LSAT students. Many students report dramatically fewer jitters, crashes, cortisol spikes, panic symptoms, and attention swings while still feeling focused and energized — especially with lion's mane blends and lower caffeine levels.
- Certain nootropics may support focus, mental stamina, and cognitive performance, though quality and evidence vary widely.
- Creatine has growing evidence for supporting brain energy, working memory, and cognitive endurance under stress and sleep deprivation.
- L-theanine may help create calmer, smoother focus — especially when combined with caffeine.
- Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins are critical for brain function, attention, memory, mood regulation, and nervous system health.
- Glutathione supports antioxidant and neurological health, which may help with cognitive resilience and recovery from stress.
- B vitamins — especially B6, B9 (folate), and B12 — are important for neurotransmitter production, energy metabolism, and nervous system function. Deficiencies can contribute to fatigue, brain fog, concentration difficulties, and mood symptoms.
Always talk to a medical provider before starting new supplements, especially if you take other medications.
What to Do Next
- If you want to know which professional (therapist, coach, doctor) might be right for your situation, see our LSAT anxiety help guide
- If you think you may qualify for testing accommodations, read our complete LSAT accommodations guide
- Anxiety often pairs with feeling stuck score-wise; if you're in the 130s or 140s, our guide to breaking through low scores may help
If you want a tutor who builds these habits into your prep from day one, learn about our approach to LSAT tutoring or hear from our students.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start meditating before my LSAT? Ideally, start at least 3 months before your test date. Meditating at the same time daily helps it become a true habit. Tara Brach's free online meditation course is a great starting point for beginners.
Does meditation actually help with LSAT performance? There is a substantial body of research linking regular meditation practice with improved cognitive function and memory — both of which are core to LSAT performance. Many students also report meditating before practice tests helps them stay calm and focused.
What should I eat for breakfast before the LSAT? A protein-forward, savory breakfast tends to support steadier energy than carb-heavy meals. Good options include eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, protein oatmeal, turkey sausage, or a protein smoothie with fat and fiber. Avoid pure-carb breakfasts that can cause crashes and jitters.
Is coffee bad for LSAT prep? Coffee isn't bad in itself, but high caffeine combined with unstable blood sugar can amplify cortisol, jitters, and panic sensations. Some anxious students benefit from switching to mushroom coffee (often with lion's mane and lower caffeine) or pairing coffee with L-theanine for smoother focus.
What supplements help with LSAT anxiety and focus? Commonly discussed options include creatine, L-theanine, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins (especially B6, B9, B12), and magnesium for sleep. Evidence varies and individual responses differ — always talk to a medical provider before starting new supplements.
How much sleep do I really need during LSAT prep? At least 7 hours per night, on a consistent schedule. Sleep is when your brain consolidates the learning you did during the day, so cutting sleep to study more is almost always counterproductive.
Will these habits replace working with a therapist or doctor? No. These habits support mental and physical wellness, but they are not a substitute for professional care if you have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Our guide to who can help with LSAT anxiety walks through every type of professional and what they can do.