Staying up too late? Drinking too much coffee? Changing outfits because it’s freezing in the morning and scorching in the afternoon? Don’t worry. This mid-semester hell will be over soon.
October is a stressful month for all college students; it doesn’t matter what year or major you are. With midterms and the change in the weather, there’s a tiredness felt by students that just doesn’t seem to go away. I’ve had a friend so exhausted by this point in the semester that she fell asleep during a test. During this trying time, one thing students often neglect is their health. And although stress eating and staying up late to get work done might not seem too bad, it might be hurting more than just your body— your grades can be affected by unhealthy habits as well. But there are simple things to do to keep you healthy throughout the semester.
1. Plan ahead.
Planning is key. Taking a few minutes every day, or a half hour on Sunday to think about your schedule helps you remember when you do and don’t have time to eat. If you’re on the go, you’ll know to pack a healthy snack with you, instead of eating Skittles from the vending machine as lunch. Even when there is a lot going on, it’s good to find a chunk of time to plan, stock up and prepare for a crazy week.
2. You can have caffeine, but don’t overdo it.
A lot of people need a cup of coffee or tea in the morning just to get out of the house. But when you start drinking it later in the day, it messes up your sleep cycle. Also, caffeine can increase anxiety; it is certainly no substitute for sleep. When you sleep, memories go from short term storage to long term storage in your brain, so information you hear in class will be retained better when you get enough sleep.
3. Eat healthy foods.
You’ve all heard it before and you’ll hear it for the rest of your life: eat well. But it’s good advice! Relaxing herbs such as chamomile, lavender, and passionfruit can be taken as tea to help de-stress. Complex carbohydrates are important as well, as they help boost your serotonin levels, which play a role in your sleep cycle, appetite and mood. Get enough whole grains and starchy vegetables for this. Going long periods of time without eating isn't good either, because that’s when you start to lose your focus, which is why carrying snacks like fruit, trail mix or yogurt is a good idea.
4. Hit the gym.
Here’s the truth we all seem to hate: exercise makes you feel good. There is an endorphin release that triggers cortisol levels in the brain to decrease, so you’re less stressed out. Finding the motivation to get to the gym can be difficult to manage, especially when you’re beat after midterms, which is why group exercise can be a good thing to try. Everything is laid out for you, so you don’t have to make decisions, you just have to copy the instructor and complete the workout. If you don’t have time for an hour long workout, taking 20 minutes to walk, jump rope or do some yoga in your room can help you relax.
