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/