Run It Out

It’s that time of year again – the weather is warming up, the sun is shining (except for the occasional hail storm..) and all we want is to be free of work. Unfortunately for us, the onset of spring is matched with the onset of a heavy workload, as finals are just around the corner. Lately I can be found hunched up over my desk, or shoved in a cubicle in the stacks much more often than I can be found outdoors. The stress of schoolwork can get overwhelming very quickly, and it’s easy to fall into a rut of overworking your mind. Through my experience, I’ve found that only one thing truly helps me through these times of stress – exercise.

Having a healthy mind and body is something that I believe is important for everyone, and should be practiced regularly. Achieving in school is all about exercising our minds, but it also takes a toll on our bodies as well. Staying up late, downing venti Starbucks coffees, and cramming for exams all put stress on our bodies. So my theory is this –drink that extra cup of coffee, cram all you have to, but then give yourself a break. Although exercise is tiring, and seems like anything but a break, it proves to be extremely relaxing, and is a great stress outlet. It will give you endorphins, and it will tire you out so you can finally rest after all of your studying is over.

So here’s the plan:

When you feel like you’ve hit your limit, put the books down, throw on your running shoes, and hit the trail.  A 30-minute run will help alleviate your stress, and take your mind off of your work. Everyone deserves a break, and what better way to spend that break than in the fresh outdoors.

Have an phone? You can track your run with exercise apps. I use Nike+, and map my run every day. It tracks my progress, and gives me something to be proud of at the end of my run. The satisfaction of going that extra mile, or beating your best time is addicting. Getting A’s is important too, but you really can have both!

Check back later for your next workout!