It’s almost that time of year again, you know what I’m talking about, when the awareness that the holidays/party season is almost upon us and the stress of midterm season and assignments only makes it worse. Yeah, we’ve all been there. That’s why I’ve compiled a short list of a few things that you can do in your everyday life as a busy, tired student who can’t make it to the gym, so that you can get fit, feel energised and be healthy just in time for the holiday season!
Walking!
It’s said that walking is one of the best and most accessible ways to get your body moving. Not only is it a convenient way of getting from point A to B, it also lets you stop and smell the roses while ensuring that your body becomes more adjusted and balanced, giving blood the big push that it needs to circulate from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes. You’ll feel refreshed and energized by the time that you reach your destination! Although the Laurier campus is considerably smaller than others, there are many opportunities for a good stroll through the streets of Waterloo, so maybe the next time you want to take the bus to the McDonalds on King Street, consider walking there instead — your body will thank you.
You might think that this is obvious, but many people forget to drink enough water throughout the day due to the constant activity in their lives. It is recommended that you get at least one litre of water per day. Not only does water make up more than 70 per cent of our bodies, but it also gives us energy, acts as a mild detoxifier and clears up our skin on bad days. When you don’t get enough water, your body begins to reflect symptoms of dehydration, such as headaches and lack of energy. The more water you drink, the more you are able to do throughout the day!
P.S.: water really comes in handy when you want to cure a nasty hangover, too!
Stairs!
We’re blessed to have a campus that has as many stairways as it does elevators — but only one will really help you on your journey to fitness. When you finally reach that final step in the Fred Nichols building, a panting and sweating mess, that’s when you know things have gotten really bad. Not only are stairs a great way to find out more about how your body is doing, they are also a way to squeeze in a quick workout session between classes — work those calves!
And remember: getting fit isn’t about losing weight, it’s about getting healthy!
Drinks!
No, I don’t mean those drinks! The next time you spend 15 minutes waiting in the Starbucks line, skip the frap and go for a steaming cup of tea! In the dreary, cold days to come, the steam will not only help open up your pores, it’ll warm your insides until you’re weak in the knees — and not just from all the working out you’ve been doing. Besides being delicious, it’s also a great way to cleanse your body and help it heal itself from the inside out. It’ll bring you peace, love and prosperity: all things that we can never really get enough of. Some other healthy and tasty options are fruit smoothies, water or protein shakes.
There you have it, these are just some of ways to get fit in time for the holiday season while juggling classes and life!