The struggle of college life is finally crashing down on you. You can feel yourself yawning in teachers faces, bailing on friends for a nap, and even falling asleep in the shower. We chalk our exhaustin up to being in college and living ‘the life,’ but is there something we could do to help our situation?
Here are 6 ways to feel more energetic and well rested while in college, especially with the impending end of the semester woes.
1. Create a Schedule
Generating a schedule can be helpful for those of us who have inconsistent sleeping habits. If you like to sleep in super late on the weekends and stay out very late this can actually make you feel more tired. Sticking to a consistent schedule can challenge these enrgie lows.
2. Power Down
Ahhh, the soothing glow you you iPhone/laptop/tablet. It’s like your own personal nightlight right? Wrong. We are all so glued to our devices, but the truth is they do not belong in the bed with you. Many of us can go to bed at a normal time, but then stay awake watching Netflix, online shopping, and checking social media. College students, although self-proclaimed professional procrasinators, should not procrastinate what little sleep we get.
3. Finish Your Homework Ahead of Time
This may seem like it’s impossible to do, but it’d totally within your grasp. If you’ve created a schedule, carve out some time for homework. If you haven’t make time on the weekends to work ahead for the week. This will not only give you more sleep, but it will also give you more time to hangout with friends and have fun outside of school. Working ahead will also save you from craming or staying up all night to finish something that you’ve been pushing off for two weeks. (We’re looking at you math homework!)
4. Get Healthy
Your state of health can affect your sleep and energy just as much as the actual amount of time you spend sleeping. Working out can boost metabolism and give you bursts of energy throughout the day. It also helps you fall asleep easier at night. Eating healthy can also change the way you sleep, preventing acid reflux, and allergy flare ups from happening just as you tuck in for the night. Eating helthy can also help your body overcome illnesses which can also keep you up at night.
5. Put Down the Coffee
Make like Buddy the Elf and set that 6th cup down. Caffeine at late hours of the day can also keep you up at night. Caffeine is not only found in coffee but also tea, chocolate, protein bars, and in over the counter medications. A good rule of thumb is to think about when your going to want to go to sleep. Is it over 6 hours from now? Then you are all set. If it’s not, walk away from the Starbucks.
6. Meditate
Anytime, anywhere, no matter who is watching. Meditation, or clearing the mind, can help reduce stress and anxiety. Stress releases cortisol in your brain which can lower you immune system, boost your heart rate and blood pressure, and can even cause you to gain weight. Regularly clearing the mind can be done anywhere. Just turn off or put away the phone, and relax! Everyone needs some down time, even busy collegettes.