Stress Relief

We have been getting a lot of e-mail about stress relief aimed toward the undergrads with their finals coming up. As you know stress in grad school is not always at the end of the semester, it fluctuates throughout (lucky us). Some things to keep in mind when things get rough:

SLEEP! This is the first thing people skimp on to get work done, but in order to function at your best you should be getting 7-8 hours a night. Sleep will also help you stay healthy and keeps you metabolism going.

EAT! Along with sleeping, keep up with healthy meals to power you through the long hours. Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, try to get some protein in there for a jump start.

EXERCISE! If you can find the time to get a walk/run/bike ride in during the day it will release endorphins which will help with stress relief. This is probably the hardest to find time to do, but try. (I am a total hypocrite writing this one)

Meditate? I have found this as a suggestion, but just take some time for yourself. If you are stressing about something and working on it all day, take a little time to do something you enjoy, even if it is just watching a quick TV show.

And now I am done sounding like an RA bulletin board posting.