With cold weather creeping up on us and the semester coming to a close, juggling school work and staying healthy can be a daunting task for any collegiette. But with a little help from Her Campus Bucknell, you can master these five easy ways to keep your mind and body in check as the semester winds down:
1.Exercise the Day Away
The wise Elle Woods was on to something when she said: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!” When you finally get to the gym at the end of the day, you allow your body to release endorphins when you exercise. This increase in endorphins, or “happy hormones,” when you exercise on your favorite treadmill in the gym, allows you to sweat away your stress. The Kenneth Langone Athletics & Recreation Center at Bucknell gives you a variety of options to help you stay fit and energized, even when the semester begins to wind down. So what are you waiting for? Give your body the energy it needs by checking out the group fitness classes, swimming laps in the pool, or getting in a workout on your own with Bucknell’s pristine athletic facilities.
2. Say Goodbye to Social Media
With assignments piling up at the end of the semester, it is important to stay on top of your homework and make the most of your library time. What often becomes a fun, but dangerous, method of procrastination is social media. When it becomes difficult, and almost impossible, to peel your eyes away from social media, download the SelfControl app for your computer. This app easily allows you to block social media sites at the touch of a button. Another way to combat social media procrastination is by simply putting your phone on silent and out of sight. This way, you can enjoy social media apps when you do deserve a study break, but not every time you read a sentence in the textbook.
3. Vitamins C & D to the Rescue
Protect yourself against the upcoming cold and flu season with a little help from Vitamins C and D! Loading up on Vitamin C before sniffles and coughs start to fill your early morning classes will build up your immune system, making it stronger and healthier. So next time you’re at the Bison or out to lunch on Market Street, opt for orange juice rather than those sugary, unhealthy drinks. You can also get your serving of Vitamin C with vegetables such as broccoli and kale or other citrus fruits such as strawberries. Vitamin D is another essential vitamin that helps keep your bones strong and healthy. However, Vitamin D is often difficult to obtain in your diet because it is mostly created in your body through the exposure to sunlight and UV rays. With the dark, colder days upon us, now is the time to get outside and get some sun!
4. Get those Zzzs
Whether a good night’s sleep or a power nap between classes, getting enough sleep is imperative to finishing out the semester strong. However, with club meetings, academic assignments, and sports practices that pile up, regulating your sleep schedule and getting enough rest can be difficult. With Her Campus Bucknell’s 5 Tips for Sleeping Better, you can check out the tricks to mastering a good night’s sleep. In addition, leaving some time after lunch or before dinner to take a nap can be the key to getting yourself through the rest of the day. A nap of 15-30 minutes is all you need to get your body recharged, without feeling groggy afterward.
5. Take Breaks and Get Outside
While it is important to keep up with homework, studying, and other academic obligations, it is crucial that breaks are built in to your jam-packed schedule. A great way to combine all of these easy ways to both mentally and physically survive the rest of this semester is to get outside and take a break. Located in the Susquehanna Valley, Bucknell offers a multitude of nearby, beautiful nature and hiking trails. Next time you need a change of scenery from the bleak library walls, put down your phone, get some exercise, soak in some Vitamin D and take a study break after a nap, while enjoying the colorful fall scenery of Central Pennsylvania.
Sources:
- http://www.stress.org.uk/exercise.aspx
- http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vitamin-C.php
- https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/how-do-i-get-the-vitamin-d-my-body-needs/
Her Campus Bucknell’s 5 Tips for Sleeping Better