A Healthy Outlook
Managing a busy academic schedule, keeping socially active, and dealing with a multitude of life’s big and little challenges is stressful – as you well know. Carrie learned that she was carrying too big a courseload. She crammed too late at night, missing valuable lecture time when she nodded off too often, but the high energy drinks made her crash and burn. The resulting stress further affected her concentration. What else should you be aware of in order to minimize the stress of college?
Get enough rest and physical activity – A Stamford University study says that the “average sleep requirement for college students is well over eight hours.” While that’s not always possible, make up for your sleep deficits by getting extra sleep when you can. Burning the midnight oil and cramming all night doesn’t guarantee success on that big test and can actually diminish your effectiveness. And even if you can tolerate being glued to your desk for hours on end, why should you win the desk-sitting championship in your dorm? Take a few eye-opening breaks, take a brisk walk every couple of hours, and stretch your limbs.
Feed your brain – Caffeine, empty calorie-foods, alcohol, and drugs all take a toll on your brain and your body – but you already know that, don’t you? Too much of anything to reduce stress will increase stress. So a nice dose of chocolate every once in a while can be a refreshing break, but include fresh fruit and water in on a regular basis.
References:
Dement, William C. “Sleepless at Stanford: What All Undergraduates Should Know About How Their Sleeping Lives Affect Their Waking Lives.” Stanford University enter of Excellence for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Disorders. Sept. 1997
“Sleep Deprivation More Likely In College Students Involved In Extracurricular Activities.” Medical News Today. 11 June 2008