Today I'm going to talk about feeling sluggish. You know, the kind of day where you wake up and think, "ok, I'm tired, but I'll be fine in a couple of minutes", and then you walk around in a semi-sleep state all day and look like a walking zombie? That's the kind of day I've been having, and I wanted to share some ideas with you to help you (and me) to have a better day.
Step 1: Stand in the Sun.
Even if it's just through a window (if it's frigid outside like it is here today). There is a part in our brain called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, SCN for short. That's the part of our brain that picks up signals from the eyes when they take in light, and stops our brain from making melatonin, which is the hormone that makes us feel groggy. Also, sunlight is just a way to make you feel good. Think like a cat bathing in the sun while it naps.
Step 2: Drink Water.
I myself am quite bad at this. Water is one of the main things that makes our bodies work. And, if we don't intake enough water, it's like not oiling gears, it won't run right. So, we can work together on this. I have recently downloaded an app called Waterlogged from the iTunes app store. It is a great way to keep track of your water intake, and it gives you goals throughout the day. You can set what times you'd like it to remind you of when to drink water, and you can enter the amount of oz/mL of water that you drank.
Step 3: Eat Lots of Healthy Food.
Yes, yes, we have all heard it before, "Eat healthy and your life will improve significantly!" We know in our minds that we should be eating healthy, but we all have that one vice that just won't let go. Mine is sugary candy. I am nearly a vegan, so I eat healthy about 98% of the time. I allow myself to indulge in not-so-healthy "college food" occasionally which accounts for 1% of the 2. The other 1% is my candy obsession. It's pretty much under control when I'm buying my own groceries because I have very little money to spend on anything. But, when there are sales on candy (i.e. after christmas and valentines day and easter and pretty much any holiday), I go a little nuts. I go on a sugar high for about 2 weeks and then crash. It's disastrous and not healthy, and I know I should stop... but it just tastes so good! So, my tip to you and me, is to avoid things high in sugar. Sugar causes a quick spike in energy and then drops you down into a well of exhaustion and sadness. Instead, try eating foods high in protein and carbohydrates. Foods like, granola, peanut butter and toast, eggs, oatmeal are really good for getting you going if it's a snack or breakfast. They boost your energy in a way that lasts and is slowly released to your body instead of jumping up and down like a pogo stick.
Step 4: Nap.
This is basically an essential to getting though college, and pretty much any other time of life. Naps are a great thing. They energize us, allow us to relax, and make us feel more refreshed than when we went to sleep. The tricky part is to not let them become a habit. We need to make sure that we are allowing enough time to sleep at night and not making naps our "second sleep". If we mess with our sleep schedules too much, our bodies and brains can be re-programmed to expect short amounts of sleep several times a day, and then our sleep cycles are short, and not nearly as restorative as they need to be. But, if you are having a down day like I am, go for it. Enjoy that nap, and be refreshed.
Step 5: Friends.
If you have friends that you normally enjoy being around (I wish that for all of you), then try hanging out with them for a little while. Usually just being in the company of people who are happy can dramatically improve my mood. If you aren't near your friends, try giving them a call, Skyping. Texting can sometimes help, but actual voices are preferable because it seems more like you're talking to a person instead of just a screen.
Step 6: A Movie or Show + Cuddly Fort.
Watching a favorite movie or and episode or two of one of my favorite shows is always something that makes me smile. I try to avoid sad movies/shows and instead aim for a comedy or fantasy; something that will take my mind off of my "bleh" day. Of course having lots of soft pillows and blankets makes the experience about a trillion times better, so I like to burrow myself in cozy-ness and forget about the world outside for a little while. One movie I've recently watched was Amélie. It's a fantastic and artistic-ly filmed movie. It's about a cute woman named Amélie who lives in France and enjoys helping others and seeking justice. It is a romance story, and a beautiful film.
Step 7: Music.
Music is something that got me through my toughest times in high school. I found that listening to different music that fits my mood helped me feel better when I was feeling down or just not in a spectacular mood. I also do some research on new artists every few months and helps me not have to listen to pop music all the time. The way I do my research is, try going onto other countries' iTunes stores and looking at their top charts. It's a great way to find new music and hear different artists and styles from around the world. All you have to do is just google "iTunes _____" and fill in the blank with the country of your choice. Their top charts are often filled with artists I've never heard of, and I end up loving the music of. There are three artists I've recently been loving the work of. The first one is a band I've known of for several years called, Panic! At The Disco. Their work is very unique, but still very well done. My favorite song by them right now is called, "This is Gospel". The second artist is Adam Barnes. I have only recently heard his music for the first time, but it is really beautiful music. My favorite song at the moment is, "She Will Stay Beneath the Moon". The third artist I'm really enjoying right now is one that I discovered through Sweden's iTunes top charts. His name is Thomas Stenström, and my favorite song by him is called "Slå mig hårt i ansiktet". It's super catchy, and his voice is gorgeous. I've provided links to the youtube videos of these songs so you can give them a try yourself!
I hope my advice has helped at least a little bit. These tips are by no means a complete list, and I'd love to hear any other ideas you have. Please leave comments/questions/concerns, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Have a lovely day!
Kaylen
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