The Post-Midterm Recess Stress Fest

This will probably be me in the next 48 hours...

Ahh...you've just returned from midterm break, and you're so relaxed because you finished all of your work, right? If you are anything like me, you spent your break hanging out with your friends or family and put off all homework until the end of the break. I can already tell this short week is going to be rough, and I can sense the stress hormones are about to flood across my body.

Psychological and emotional stress can take a physical toll on your body. When you are stressed out, your body releases cortisol, which signals us to replenish our body with energy and thus making us very hungry. What do our bodies crave the most, especially in times of stress? Fats, salt, and sugar of course, which go perfectly with those skinny jeans. These foods nourish our brains, which release tension-reducing "pleasure chemicals." Stress-eating can become a vicious cycle that is hard to escape, especially while we are constantly surrounded with junk food on campus.

Stress is unavoidable for a college student during midterms, so I've come up with a list tips to help you (and me!) get through these next couple of weeks alive and still relatively healthy.

1. Eat small, frequent meals to boost your metabolism and fight the munchies. This should help to prevent you from binging on carby snacks during your study sessions.

2. Avoid overdoing the caffeine, even if you think this is impossible. Caffeine actually raises your cortisol levels, which can contribute to stress-eating.

3. Avoid sugary foods. Yeah, this one is pretty much a given. These foods can leave you feeling jittery and can lead to a crash later on. Plus these foods are probably ridden with unwanted calories, so you want to eat these only in moderation.

4. Take an exercise break to get your mind off of things and pump some endorphins into your blood. You don’t have to go super hard at the gym, but take a 20-30 minute break to do some light cardio and stretches.

5. Get some sleep. Sleep deprivation is a major stressor and can make you hungrier throughout the day. Aim for a solid 7-9 hours per night when possible, and avoid those all-nighters!

6. Don’t skip breakfast, as it truly is the most important meal of the day! If you skip breakfast, this can leave you groggy and unable to concentrate in the morning, and you will more likely have a larger meal at lunch to make up for your calorie deficiency. While you are grabbing a quick bite from the servery on your way to class, try to incorporate whole grains, proteins, and nutrients (vitamin C, calcium, etc.) into your meal. Try a piece of whole grain toast with peanut butter, a banana, and a yogurt to keep your belly and your mind satisfied.

7. Study break with some friends! You deserve one. Socialization is good for the soul, I hear.

--Cristina, Wellness Intern

P.S. Have you noticed that a lot of these tips are similar to the ones from the last post? You now hold the key to healthier lifestyle. Godspeed.