I know what you’re thinking: isn’t walking up and down the Kimball steps 3+ times a day enough of a workout already? Yes and no. While I will admit it’s a great leg workout, it’s not enough. Exercising is more than having toned legs, and, instead, more about ensuring your mind and body are sharp and ready to tackle that difficult Schaefer class or brave that 8 AM orgo lab. Usually, when we’re walking to class our minds are focusing on the next test, the next paper, the next assignment, and we forget to take time to focus on our personal needs. Lucky for you though, staying mentally and physically fit is as easy as 1, 2, and 3!
1. Exercise, if possible, every day!
Being a Holy Cross student can be hectic and extremely stressful at times. Between classes, homework, SPUD and any other activities, we often forget that taking a break and doing something good for ourselves is all that’s needed to get us centered. Squeezing in 30 minutes of exercise a day definitely is not a waste of your time nor will it set you back on the assignment you’re tackling at the moment. Instead, it will give your brain a rest and allow you to come back to the project reinvigorated and ready-to-go! A one-hour workout is just 4% of any given day, so going on a run or lifting weights is an investment that you definitely won’t regret– just remember getting there is the hardest part (that uphill climb to Hart…).
2. Stop eating junk food.
I’ll admit- I’m super guilty of this at moments (but who isn’t??). During my first few months of school all I ate were cookies (thank you Campion), chips, and absurd amounts of chocolate. Did they taste heavenly the moment I put them inside my mouth? Yes. Did I feel good after I ate them? No. At Holy Cross, it seems like every extra curricular brings with it the promise of free pizza/soda/cake/brownies not to mention the conveniently placed Lobby Shop. Let’s face it, with junk food everywhere, it is sometimes hard to find a healthy option. Trade cookies for a LUNA bar, jolly ranchers for fruit, chips for nuts, and soda for sparkling water. Each of these alternatives has more vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all of which are nutrients your body requires. Choosing the healthier options will give you the fuel you need to get through the day. We promise – your body and mind will thank you!
3. Make time for me time
Take some time out of your day to relax. Set aside the school work and, instead, catch up on a TV show, paint your nails, spend time with friends, or read that book you’ve been dying to dive your nose into. It can be a fifteen-minute break or an hour-long break; it doesn’t matter as long as it is what you need to recharge. Schoolwork can get the best of us and sometimes the best thing to do is just unwind. You deserve it! Plus, you’ll feel much more motivated to complete your calc assignment with that new mani you just gave yourself.
Staying mentally and physically healthy can be so simple, yet we forget to do it. Stop making excuses and make these simple adjustments to your life. Trust me, you’ll feel the difference!