It’s nearly winter break, and it seems that everyone is begging for a relaxing, work-free holiday season. Before we can actually enjoy a nice hiatus, though, finals threaten the necessity for unpleasant endeavors, such as downing bottomless cups of coffee or pulling all-nighters in Kirk lab (something a friend of mine dubbed “klabbing”). Holiday season itself can be stressful, too. Dealing with long days of travel and entertaining family and friends can take its toll on the body and mind. Do you know how to handle the heat (or lack thereof)? In this final edition of the fall semester of The Mac Weekly, I will share some tips about how to remain calm and collected during these busy times, so that you can maintain great health throughout finals and into holiday break.
Stress has direct physical effects on health. The release of cortisol–a main stress hormone–causes immune suppression, an increase in blood glucose, upsets digestion, hinders memory recall, and even interferes with the reproductive system besides other effects. Physiological consequences due to short-term stress usually aren’t problematic, but periods of chronic stress can and often do contribute to poor health. The very best way to avoid these issues is through stress prevention. Planning ahead for assignments and prioritizing work with “to do” lists are indispensable. Although most Macalester students probably already know these things, it’s still worthwhile to remind yourself of them every once in a while.
Sleep is important, too! As I wrote in last week’s column, at least seven hours of sleep each night will go a long way toward keeping one healthy and mentally sharp, which is critical if you want to ace exams and write eloquent papers. If you can’t get enough sleep, supplement with no longer than 20 to 30 minute naps, which will improve your focus and provide a welcome mental break. You can even practice relaxation in lieu of sleep. Simply clearing the mind and listening to calming music is a great way to ease tension and process information. As a fun fact, Marconi Union’s, “Weightless,” was named by Time magazine as one of the best inventions of 2011 for being the “most relaxing song ever written.”
Aside from sleeping and planning ahead, what you ingest can actually affect your stress levels as well. While coffee and energy drinks are tempting ways to sustain an all-nighter, caffeine can actually worsen stress. This is because it triggers the release of cortisol and adrenalinetwo hormones whose high levels are also caused by stress. So while you might temporarily benefit from a brief energy lift, your body will likely suffer. A better beverage choice would be a calming herbal tea, such as chamomile or peppermint, and some extra brain food to sustain you throughout the night. Avoid sugar, since it also decreases immunity and has the undesirable consequence of creating an inability to focus (i.e. a “sugar jolt and crash” as insulin is released to decrease high blood glucose levels that are caused by consumption of sugary food and drink). Foods that are high in protein and healthy fats and nutrients, such as raw nuts, organic milk or yogurt, and fruits and vegetables will sustain your energy levels far longer than these temporary fixes.
A number of natural supplements also help to relieve stress and anxiety. A favorite of mine is kava–an herb that is convenient for its calming effect without disrupting clarity of thought. Supplementing with or consuming foods that are high in magnesium can also help ease anxiety. This mineral is essential for good health but easily depleted by high stress levels. I prefer a supplement called Magnesium Calm, but you can also obtain this mineral through consumption of leafy greens (such as kale, collards, and spinach), and to a lesser extent in nuts and seeds and unprocessed grains (i.e. in oatmeal or brown rice rather than processed, bleached breads). B vitamins may also be useful for relieving stress and may even help alleviate depression in some cases (magnesium is useful in this regard, too).
By eating right, sleeping, and using common sense to manage your workload and the demands of family and friends, you can manage stress and create great health. Taking a healthy break once in a while to have fun is stress-busting, too! So take a deep breath, relax, ace your finals, and enjoy what’s left of 2011!
Resources:
Sole Source TIPS Cuticle Conditioner – Liquid Filled Cotton Swabs (Misc.) tagged “health tips” 8 times
Mon, 7 Jun 2010 04:18:28 GMT
Sole Source TIPS Cuticle Conditioner – Liquid Filled Cotton Swabs (Misc.)By Sole Source Click for more info Customer tags: cuticle care(8), health(8), cuticle(8), cuticle conditioner(8), health tips(8), beauty tips(8), beauty favorites(8), b003o1x4yq http://www.amazon.com/Sole-Source-TIPS-Cuticle-Conditioner/dp/B003NSETFI/ref=tag_rso_rs_edpp_url?ie=UTF8&tag=thedays-20&creative=381421
Health Book – How to Live More Healthy for SmartAsses! – A Healthy Eating and Healthy Living Guide for Everyone… (Kindle Edition) tagged “health tips” 3 times
Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:14:52 GMT
Health Book – How to Live More Healthy for SmartAsses! – A Healthy Eating and Healthy Living Guide for Everyone… (Kindle Edition)By for SmartAsses Publishing 1 used and new from $4.99 Customer Rating:
Customer tags: holistic(4), healthy eating(4), health and wellness(4), healthy living(4), healthy lifestyle(4), health book(4), healthy aging(4), holistic healing(3), holistic living(3), holistic health(3), health books(3), health tips(3) http://www.amazon.com/Health-Book-SmartAsses-Everyone-ebook/dp/B003F77EHM/ref=tag_rso_rs_edpp_url?ie=UTF8&tag=thedays-20&creative=381421
Health Tips to Prevent a Stress Fracture | univatty
Health Tips to Prevent a Stress Fracture. HealthNFitness Tips: A stress fracture is a common injury of the lower leg and foot, involving overused muscles that become fatigued and are no longer able to protect nearby bones from stress and … http://univatty.blogspot.com/2012/04/health-tips-to-prevent-stress-fracture.html
New video games offer vital health tips | NTV
The new games set to be launched next month in East African countries and India will pass information on health as well as family issues beyond entertaining the palyer. … What do you think of: New video games offer vital health tips. News … http://www.ntv.co.ke/news2/topheadlines/new-video-games-offer-vital-health-tips/
NEW Seventeen Presents 500 Health & Fitness Tips – Hear
22 Jul 2012 13:12:07 GMT-07:00
$6.05
End Date: Sunday Jul-22-2012 16:59:01 PDT
Buy It Now for only: $6.05
Buy It Now | Add to watch list
ESTABLISHED DIABETES HEALTH DIABETIC TIPS WEBSITE SUPPLIES BUSINESS FOR SALE
22 Jul 2012 13:12:07 GMT-07:00
$24.99 (0 Bids)
End Date: Sunday Jul-22-2012 21:59:53 PDT
Bid now | Add to watch list
Health & Vitality: the Way to Good Health
Start living a healthy life now: Here is your 7-day plan ==> Having sworn to yourself that you’ll go to the gym in the morning, how many times have you changed your mind after you woke up and did not feel like working out? We all have days when we lose our motivation to get […]
Science-based Suggestions for self-confidence
A recent study shows your perception of your own image has a profound effect on how you present yourself to the rest of the world. Those findings could be empowering since even small changes to your self-care routine can significantly boost your self-confidence. The study by researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Business found […]
5 ways to feel good while getting fit
(BPT) – Setting intentions is a powerful thing. Then when you have that shiny new gym membership in hand, you feel like nothing stands between you and your goals to get in shape once and for all. Trouble is, lack of motivation, unpreparedness and busy schedules have a way of interfering with our plans. If […]
When buying hearing aids: 6 essential things to know
(BPT) – Being an informed health care consumer is hard work. There is information everywhere. But how do you sift through it and make sense of it all? And how do you know what is reliable and what isn’t? Sorting through the noise when buying hearing aids is no exception. In the past several months, […]