As the brisk winds of winter begin to stir, it can be hard to remember what it was like to be tan, carefree and healthy. The memories of aimlessly watching hours of Netflix and sitting poolside seem far from the tables of College Library.
If you are anything like me, you sit and wonder how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while trying to balance unending piles of work. Although you may not be able to learn a month’s worth of lecture notes in time for that midterm tomorrow, you can take steps to help you relieve some stress and anxiety.
As a disclaimer, I am no expert, but I hope these tips help you relax and take your mind off things — at least for an hour or two. Here are some ways to overcome being sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Mentality is key: know it's okay to relax
One of the most important things to remember is that it is okay to give yourself a break. One day of your week should be set aside to provide some ‘me time.’ I can hear you now, “WHAT? A whole day? Who does this girl think I am?”
If a full day isn't conducive to your hectic schedule, it is crucial to block out some extended period of time to just relaxing and de-stressing. Grab some popcorn, watch a movie and set aside the stress of the week.
Don’t worry about what you are missing out on. Rather, focus on your well-being. Going a hundred miles an hour every single day can cause major headaches, unneeded stress and ultimately, a crash.
Start reading that book you promised yourself you would read by the end of the year. Give yourself an attainable goal, something as little as five pages of a non-school book. Do your laundry. Eat a cookie. Give yourself a break!
When things get annoying, run it out
Had a fight with your roommate? Got a bad grade on that paper? One word: cardio. Going to the gym doesn’t have to be a horrible experience. It can be a great tool to let off some steam and better your mind and body. And who doesn’t love a great post workout snack?
If the gym isn’t your vibe, just go on a walk. Get the blood in your body moving, cool off and even try taking a scenic route by one of the surrounding lakes. Going on a walk has so many physical and mental benefits and will give you the time to be actively resting when you feel too distressed to relax.
Remember that your body matters!
If you just so happened to catch the flu bug, resting is the most important thing you can do. I, along with half of campus, have been fighting against a cold for the past few days, so I completely understand your struggle.
I cannot stress enough: sleep, water, eat and repeat! Getting a solid eight hours allows your body to rejuvenate and recover quicker. Drinking water and eating right are also very important. Your throat may feel like absolute garbage but water replaces the fluids and electrolytes you lose while fighting off infection. Grabbing an apple rather than a bag of chips may not seem like the fun choice, but your body will definitely thank you later
Cold weather brings hot chocolate, snow and germs. As you begin to bundle up for your walk up Bascom, remember to think about your mental health, too. Sometimes we get so caught up in our hectic lives that reality seems like a distant memory. So remember you and take care of yourself — you only have one of you!
