Drink More Water!

You've probably been told over and over again, but it can not be emphasized enough. Water is critical to your body, for hydration, survival, energy and multitudes of other reasons. Research shows that to determine the amount of water to drink, you should cut your weight in half, and drink that many ounces per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water daily. You should add another eight ounces of water for every twenty minutes of exercise or activity you perform. Staying hydrated is very important, especially with the hot summer months coming, and drinks such as coffee or alcohol can trick the body into thinking that water is being consumed. Be sure to drink water thoroughly throughout the day. Carry a bottle with you to work, school, the gym, and anywhere else you might go. Be sure not to freeze or re-use plastic bottles, as chemicals can be released into your water. Try getting a bottle you can re-fill that is BPA free! Good luck and stay hydrated!

Staying Safe While Tanning

As we talked about in class, the college population is a major target for tanning salons. Most customers for these companies are college aged, and uninformed about the risks of what they are doing. I'll admit, I'm guilty of being one of these customers now and then. But now, I decided to research the risks and help others to know what their safest options are. Despite what some may think, tanning indoors is NOT any safer than tanning outside. Think about it... in tanning beds, results are a lot faster than in natural sunlight. Also, the UV rays that damage your skin in tanning booths can cause your skin to be more susceptible to damage from natural sunlight. This is because the damage done in tanning booths thins the skin, making it more vulnerable. The safest option for a bronzed look is to use a sort of spray tan, lotion, or creme. Otherwise, you're putting yourself at risk for serious conditions down the road, including melanoma, which is fatal. Is a tan really worth that? Good luck and stay safe!

Get Some Sleep

I couldn't even try to count the amount of times I've found myself dozing off during the day. I always think I get enough sleep, but going back and thinking about it, there are plenty of times I could have gotten a better nights sleep. College students make up the part of the population that struggles the most with sleep. Especially now, nearing the end of a semester, students at colleges and universities everywhere are pulling allnighters, and stressing out about last minute papers and exams. Many of us think that an all nighter once a semester won't hurt. Although there won't be permenant damage, we do acquire sleep debts. We should be getting about eight hours per night of sleep. If we only get three, the other five hours do not simply disappear. Looking for some tips to sleep better? Here are just a few.

• Exercise. Participating in about 30 minutes of vigorous activity enhances sleep.


• Relax. In the hours before bedtime, relax your mind, so you sleep without worries.


• Make A Routine. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day may help your sleeping habits.

For more information, visit the site posted!

Green Tea: What Are The Benefits?

You've probably heard about green tea, and all of the good things people are raving about. Most commercials on TV are centered toward green tea extract pills, rather than the actual product. I started drinking green tea a few months ago, when my dad forced me to try it. Now, I drink at least two cups of green tea per day with a spoonful of honey. But what exactly are the benefits of green tea? The most talked about benefit is the fact that green tea can contribute to weight loss. Another important benefit is the prevention of cancer. Green tea contains antioxidants, which control free radicals in the body. The green tea acts as an anti-carcinogen, preventing cancers. Green tea also may be linked to the lowering of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Overall, green tea does more help than one may think, and at the same time, tastes amazing! If you want to try it, I drink Nature's Promise Green Tea with a spoonful of Nature's Promise Golden Honey. You can get these products at Stop and Shop for under $5.00! For more information on green tea, visit the link posted.

Stay Safe While Running

I read an article in a magazine a few months back about women who have been attacked during their daily jogs. I've always been one to go for runs, and my mom always made me bring my cell phone with me, and made sure I would not be running in an isolated area. Now that the weather is nicer, I, as well as many other students on our campus, will be going out running almost on a daily basis. I think it is EXTREMELY important, not only for women, but for everyone to know how to prevent any confrontations, and what to do if you're put in a difficult situation. Here are some tips on what you can do to protect yourself.

• Grab a partner. There's safety in numbers, and an attacker is less likely to approach more than one person. If you can't find a partner, stay in areas where there are people around.

• Stay focused and alert. If you have to bring an iPod, keep only one earbud in, so you can hear what's going on around you.

• Bring some form of ID, and although it may be inconvenient, bring a cell phone. Also, let someone know where you're going, and give them an estimate on when you'll be back.

• Keep moving. Don't approach a car to give directions, and, as elementary as it may sound, don't talk to strangers.

Common sense is the most important thing regarding safety while running. Run in familiar areas, and always report any suspicious activity. Although many of these tips seem obvious, many people don't follow these guidelines. If you want extra information, click the link I've posted below. Remember to stay alert, and stay safe! Good luck on your run!

Skip The Soda!

We learned in class how sugary sodas were, and on a personal level, I haven't had a soda since. But now, research is showing that not only is soda full of sugar, it's also bad for your kidneys. Especially in women, drinking more than a can of soda a day can increase the risk for unhealthy levels of albumin in urine. High levels of this can mean kidney disease. Although right now it is uncertain what is in soda that causes this problem, research is continuing. However, a soda here and there doesn't hurt, and in the research done, drinks that were diet sodas also didn't affect albumin levels. Still, cutting soda out of your diet can be a good idea. Personally, I used to be a Diet Coke fanatic. Now, after a couple of months without it, I feel more energized, and never find myself having even the slightest craving for soda. Try drinking water, grape juice, or green tea instead. Grape juice is good for your heart, and green tea can slim your waistline. No matter what you choose to drink, remember that hydration is extremely important, and being more aware will make you healthier! For more information, check out the link posted below. Good luck!

Get Out and Get Active!

If you're anything like me, you've been looking forward to watching all this winter snow melt away. Well, for the most part, it's finally gone! This gives all of us a chance to go outside, enjoy the weather, and stay physically active. Not sure how to go about doing that? Here are some ideas.

• Not interested in structured teamsports? Grab a few friends and start a pickup game of wiffleball on the green. Or, join a game that's going on. It's a great way to meet new friends, and there are always people out around campus when it's nice outside.



• Skip the shuttle. The weather is gorgeous, so there is no excuse not to walk to classes or anywhere else. Even those who have classes at 333 can walk there in under twenty minutes. That adds up to about 30-40 minutes of walking each day!



• Change your routine. Personally, I'm sick of running on the treadmill rather than outside. If this is the same for you, start running outside. Map out a route and get going! The change of scenery will prevent you from becoming bored with your exercise.

Hopefully one of these tips will help you to stay active this spring. So get out there and enjoy the beautiful New England weather...you never know how long it's going to last! :)

Relax! Let Go Of Stress With Weekly Yoga

As a freshman college student, I know as much as the next person how stressful life can be. There are countless times when I just can't wait for the weekend to not worry about classes and homework for a day or two. With running around to classes, doing homework, and being especially stressed out now because of midterm exams, it is easy to let stress get the best of you. This semester, I started going to the Yoga for Relaxation classes in the Davis Common Room on campus. The class is free, and it is a drop-in format, meaning everyone is welcome to come at any point during the semester. So if you haven't started, but you'd like to try, you're welcome to come to class! Every Friday from 3:15 to 4:15, I go with my two best friends to this yoga class. Since it's on Fridays in the afternoon, I can let go of all the stress that has accumulated in the past week from school, and focus on relaxing over the weekend. I feel so much more relaxed and focused when I finish doing yoga. There are so many benefits to this activity, such as increased flexibility, muscle toning, and lubrication of muscles and joints. So next time you're feeling stressed out, look forward to Friday afternoon like I do! Remember, you can join this class at anytime! Good Luck! :)

For more information on yoga, visit http://www.healthandyoga.com/

Pilates: A Dorm Room Workout!

Last weekend, my roommate, who also happens to be my best friend from home, came back from the mall with a little surprise. While at Border's, she bought a Pilates DVD. This "Core Fusion" workout was put together by Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito, two founding members of the mind/body spa Exhale,which has many locations around the United States. I had never done Pilates before, and was excited to try it. Personally, I think it is the perfect workout for college students who don't have the motivation, time, or confidence to go to a fitness center. In our dorm room in Courtney Hall, we did all five of the ten minute workouts provided on the DVD. It was harder than we expected, and our abdominal muscles were definitely sore the next day, but it was well worth it. It was inexpensive, and takes less than an hour to complete. Pilates incorporates the poses and relaxation techniques of yoga, along with exercises to strengthen the core muscles. I would absolutely recommend this DVD to anyone who is looking for a new type of workout!

Being Healthy In College

As a very busy college freshman, I completely understand how hard it can be to balance classes, work schedules, and relationships, not to mention eating healthy and getting enough exercise. Still, as young adults, college students need to remember to eat healthy while away at school. Although it may be easier to skip meals because of your busy schedule,eating three meals a day along with little snacks throughout is very important. With this type of diet, your brain stays active and you will feel more energized. Make time for exercise, too. Endorphins released during physical activity will make you feel better when you're not having such a good day. As obvious as it may seem, following the Food Pyramid is also very important, and all of the food groups should be incorporated into your diet. If you find yourself hungry between meals, try keeping nutritious foods in your dorm room to snack on, such as fruit, nuts, granola bars, and yogurt. Keep checking back for easy tips and healthy ideas to try!