This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Northwestern chapter.
It’s just past mid-quarter and this is the time that that we need to focus on our health the most. With midterms lingering and finals coming up, stress is at an all-time high, along with weather that can so easily cause seasonal depression. That is why Northwestern’s chapter of Her Campus is celebrating Health Week to inspire collegiettes to take care of themselves through these rough patches! Here are some things you can do this week to take care of yourself and participate in Health Week:
Go out and exercise
Random nice days just beg for a nice walk or run outside! Exercise boosts your mood with the release of endorphins, making you feel better at any time of the year. Take a break from work by exercising with friends or signing up for a fun class like Pure Barre, which HC at NU hosted for free this Monday!
Cook a healthy meal with friends
Taking time to spend with friends is great to de-stress, and focusing on healthy foods can have a surprisingly profound effect on your body. Although we usually turn to sugary and high-fat foods when we are stressed, eating nutritious foods increases your energy and helps you feel better, even if you’re running on little sleep.
Educate yourself on health issues
It’s super important to understand health issues to recognize when you have unhealthy behaviors and take active steps to help yourself be healthy and happy. With events like HC’s mental health talk this Wednesday (7pm in McTrib 3-119!), you can see how aspects of your life and your behaviors are affecting your health.
Take five minutes to breathe
Many times we get so busy, we forget to breathe. Giving yourself just a few minutes each day to meditate, think on things that make you happy or grateful, do yoga, or read gives your brain a break from the bustle of life that will give your mood a serious boost.
Try to go to bed 10 minutes earlier each night
It can be daunting and difficult to try and go to bed before midnight or achieve that seven to eight hours of sleep a night we need, but breaking it down into five or 10 minute increments makes it way more manageable. Instead of scrolling through Instagram or Twitter, use those 10 minutes to get a little extra sleep every night. By the end of the week you’ll feel the difference and your body will thank you!
To see the events planned for this week check out the Health Week facebook page here!