Congratulations, you made it through House Party Weekend. Whether it was your first or last year sprinting the marathon, we hope that you had a wonderful time. We are also almost positive that after the amazing (but loud) music, excessive amounts of Dominos’ (half off, genius), and party after party you must feel like, well, crap. Not to fear dear collegiettes, we’ve got a detox plan for you that will get you back in playing shape in no time. After the weekend we’ve just had, I think it’s safe to say we need it.
De-stress
We’ve had it pretty easy these past few weeks, getting to relax over spring break and enjoying the anticipation leading up to HPW. But, now what? Your homework seems to have gotten out of control, tests and papers are closing in, and another set of midterms can make you feel more than a little overwhelmed. De-stressing will help you gain some control and finish out the semester strong.
- Make a To-Do List: Whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly, a to-do list will ensure nothing falls through the cracks and has been shown to decrease stress and increase productivity.
- Take It Outside: Now that it’s getting warmer, studying outside is a great option and beats camping out in Bertrand. Plus, a boost of Vitamin D from the sun will put a smile on your face, no matter how difficult that exam is supposed to be.
- Find Your Calm: Candlelight Yoga, lunch with friends, meditation, exercise, a sound machine (the Relax Melodies app is my favorite), whatever it is that helps you to stay calm, make sure you are doing it. The crazy pace of a semester can cause us to fall into bad habits but we must remember that sometimes a dance party with friends is all one needs to relax and unwind.
Eat well
Dominos. Hot Diggity. Flying Bison. I can see you cringing at the thought of all of that fried, greasy, food you ate last weekend. You may be feeling enormous and like walking up the LC stairs is a gigantic effort (elevator anyone?). Yet, the week after House Party shouldn’t be a continuation of the food free-for-all that is HPW. Take your post-HPW time to start eating healthy again.
- Hydrate: One too many encounters with your good friend André has left you extremely dehydrated. You should be drinking 8-10 glasses of water everyday. This is non-negotiable if you want to rid your body of toxins, hydrate, and get it functioning normally again. Add in some lemon, cucumber, and mint to give some extra flavor and rev up your metabolism.
- Make Smart Choices: Steer clear of the dessert table in the Caf. Opt for the quinoa bar, a wrap, a turkey burger, or a salad with some grilled chicken in the Bison. (We know that Nutella Panini looks enticing, but maybe try some fruit instead?) Don’t starve yourself and make sure you’re getting protein with your meal to keep you feeling full.
- Don’t Go Nuts: Don’t try to count how many calories you consumed last weekend. Trust us, you don’t want to know. Don’t go on some fad diet as spring approaches that will have you pigging out in two weeks. Just try to be sane and stick to healthy options that won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing out or depriving yourself.
Teatox
If you’re feeling really awful, the teatox is where it’s at. A new fad that has been taking Australia, France, and England by storm has hit the U.S. with the same zeal. Tea, especially green tea, has amazing health and beauty benefits from increasing metabolism to clearing up skin. Queen B Teatox is a brand that has become popular among models like Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes as well as celebrities like the Kardashians and Isla Fisher. If you don’t feel like paying the big bucks (around $22 for a 14 day kit) then follow this guide to make your own teatox kit.
- Buy green tea and peppermint tea or ginger tea and mix in a little lemon juice and cayenne pepper (if you so desire, I hate cayenne pepper personally).
- You can add in honey or another syrup to sweeten the taste but absolutely NO sugar.
- Steep the tea with boiling water and drink one full cup before bed for 14 days.
- Teatox results can include: improved quality of sleep, rejuvenated skin, cleansing and detoxification, increased mental alertness, as well as increased metabolic rate.
Organize
Those red solo cups all over your floor are not going to clean themselves. First, clean everything from the weekend, then organize yourself to create a clean space that you can relax in.
- Make Your Bed Everyday: Those who make their bed each morning are found to perform better at tests, in jobs, and be more satisfied with their everyday life.
- Clean Out Clutter: Throw out any trash, put heavy winter clothes in a box under your bed, and reorganize your notebooks and binders so you know where everything is for class.
- Make Room in Your Closet: If you haven’t already done so, clear out your closet to make room for spring clothes. Any clothes you feel you won’t wear again next year can be donated to organizations like Purple Heart where they can be gifted to someone who will be very grateful for the clothing. Color Code it. Alphabetize it. Get all Sarah Jessica Parker a la SATC and your closet will look fabulous in no time.
X-ercise
I know it’s a stretch, but did you really expect me to find a good X? This is the most important detox step. Though it may be the last thing on earth you want to do, exercising will rid your body of toxins, release endorphins to put you in a better mood, and get you back on track for that spring body you’ve wanted but just haven’t had the energy to get. Whether it’s running outside or on the elliptical in the gym, taking a class with friends, or doing a workout in your dorm, just make sure you’re moving. After all, the days of sundresses, quad lounging, and warm Super Saturdays are right around the corner, so close we can almost feel it.
So, fret not Bucknellians. We came. We saw. We House Partied. Now, We Detox. Follow this guide and you’ll be feeling better in no time, with fond memories of House Party carrying you through ‘till the trees start to blossom. Who knows how to throw the most epic weekend ever and bounce back? Say it with me now. We Do.