Academic midterms might be over, but it’s time to take the self-evaluation midterm. We’re already midway through the semester, which means that we’re either barely staying afloat or we’re powering through.
How do you feel at this point? Are you exhausted, out of shape, overly caffeinated and feeling tired? Do you long to get back in shape and thrive again, but don’t know where to start?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, don’t worry; it isn’t too late to get your pre-midterm groove back. With three simple lifestyle changes, you can put yourself back on the road to recovery and flourish again.
If you feel completely out of shape and miserable because the only exercise you got during the past few weeks was walking around like a zombie throughout Payson, don’t worry you can get your stride back.
The best way to start is to take advantage of the ultimate open-air gym: the many stairs and hills of Pepperdine.
At first glace, the CCB stairs of Pepperdine’s mountainous hillside look painfully intense and unappealing. However, walking the stairs not only works your legs and derrière, but also strengthens your core.
According to www.caloriesperhour.com, a 150-pound person can burn about 544 calories while walking up the stairs for an hour. In addition to burning calories, stair walking builds endurance by working both your aerobic and anaerobic systems. Aerobic energy is the kind of energy that allows us to endure working out at a steady state for longer periods of time, while anaerobic energy is the kind of energy used during a sprint.
By simply opting out of taking the shuttle and elevator and instead walking the stairs a few times a day, you can strengthen your core and build endurance to help you get back on track with a regular workout regime.
Toward the middle of the semester, it is very common for students to be so overly caffeinated that they cannot function without multiple cups of coffee and energy drinks throughout the day. While there is nothing wrong with having caffeine in moderation, an excessive amount is unhealthy and can be addictive. The next time you face the mid-afternoon crash or need some extra energy in the library, opt for more natural forms of energy instead.
Maintaining a diet rich in protein helps prevent energy loss throughout the day as protein-packed foods release energy at slower rate. By releasing energy into the body at a slower rate, the body does not go through intense spikes of energy and then crash. Great sources of protein include yogurt, fish, poultry, eggs and nuts.
If you absolutely must have a caffeinated beverage to keep you awake, nix the coffee and substitute green tea. Green tea has a quarter of the amount of caffeine and is loaded with health benefits. It contains antioxidants and it regulates the digestive system.
The next time you feel that energy crash coming on, try and wean yourself off of the joe and energy shots by replacing them with a protein-packed snack and a cup of green tea. Although it will be difficult, you can slowly kick the caffeine addiction by making smarter energy substitutions.
The body’s immune system is weakened and students are more likely to get sick when they spend countless nights studying, pull all-nighters, don’t eat healthy foods and are under intense stress. By simply adding more vitamins and nutrient rich foods into their diet, students can combat illness.
According to askdrsears.com, foods packed with vitamin C top the list of immune system boosters. Vitamin C increases the production of the infection-fighting blood cells while also reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Only 200 milligrams of vitamin C a day are needed, and it is pretty easy and delicious to add to one’s diet because it is found in most fruits.
Vitamin E is another important immune system booster and antioxidant according to www.askdrsears.com. It enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that destroy bacteria by producing antibodies. You need 100 to 400 milligrams per day, and the vitamin can be found in spinach, nuts, tropical fruits, vegetable oils, wheat and red bell peppers.
Prepare your body and build up your immune system by incorporating vitamin A and E rich foods into your diet, before it is too late. If you feel more prone to illness and believe a healthy diet alone won’t keep you healthy, try integrating vitamin supplements into your daily intake.
It isn’t too late to re-evaluate your health and get yourself back on track. By making slight changes to your diet and exercise patterns, you can feel stronger and healthier in no time. So ask yourself, “How do I really feel?”
