Remember #Snowtober?
By Emily McLaughlin
The winter is synonymous with frigid temperatures, snowstorms and bad attitudes. Don’t let the cold months get you down. Instead, put a positive spin on everything winter to start your semester off right.
So… it’s cold. Who cares! This is the perfect excuse to bundle up in cozy sweaters, fashionable boots and cute scarves. Work hard the first few weeks of school and reward yourself with a trip to H&M or Forever21. Pick up some cute scarves, with matching gloves to make you feel stylish when trekking through a snowy UMass campus.
Another thing synonymous with winter is our desire to sleep, sleep and sleep some more. We are programmed to sleep when it is dark and wake up when the sunlight streams through the window. In the winter, the days are shorter and our bodies naturally want more rest. Why? When darkness falls, so do our serotonin levels. Serotonin contributes to our moods and energy levels. To keep yourself awake and energized, take advantage of the natural sunlight during the day. When the sun sets, keep your lights bright and notice a change in your energy.
Lastly, there are a few good things that come from snow and snowstorms. The first thing that comes to mind is… SNOW DAYS!
Second, there are a number of fun winter sports to try. Take a trip to the mountain one of these weekends and try something new with your friends (i.e. tubing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking).
If you aren’t in for hitting the slopes, and are bummed about not being about to go for your usual run outside, stay warm in the Rec Center! I know that it is a little crazy there now with everyone adhering to their New Year’s resolutions, but exercise is important to our mental and physical well-being. When we workout or are physically active, our brain sends signals, discharging feel-good endorphins. With the release we get a rush of newfound energy and a sense of overall well-being. Don’t stop moving just because it’s snowy.
Stay positive this winter with cute clothes, a little Vitamin-D and some exercise.
*View this article on HerCampus.com/UMassAmherst!
RULE ONE: My number one rule during times of stress is to eat healthy foods. When students are stressed there are two things that can happen: Either they forget to eat, or they mindlessly eat (you know which kind of person you are). Some of us tend to concentrate on our studies and forget that whole eating thing. Therefore, if and when we do eat, we tend to binge on something fast, easy and unhealthy. For the mindless eaters, we munch on food to concentrate. It helps us focus and feel fueled. So what should you do? Packing healthy snacks will keep you away from junk food. Also, taking study breaks to eat your meals will help refresh and refuel your brain so you’re ready to get back to work.
RULE TWO: Another way to limit stress during this time of year is by getting enough sleep. I prefer eight or more hours, but sometimes that just isn’t in the cards.Aim to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Manage your time effectively so you don’t have to set up camp in Du Bois until sunrise. Pencil sleep into your schedule and avoid caffeinated beverages past 3:00 pm, as they could affect your getting asleep.
RULE THREE: The last thing you absolutely NEED to do is exercise. I’m serious. During crunch-time, do crunches, take ten minutes to step away from your desk and stretch, go for a quick jog or attend a group fitness class if you have the time. Even taking the stairs down from the sixth floor of the library, and back up will give your brain a boost and give you the energy needed to get through your paper. Aside from relieving stress and elevating energy, exercising will help you sleep better, release tension and fight flu and cold.
