Holiday Survival Tip

Does the prospect of final’s week, crowded shopping mall parking lots, high calorie meals and meddling relatives have you looking into staying here at good old UB for the holidays? No, but with the semester coming to a close are you feeling a rise in your anxiety level? Well, you came to the right place my friend!
With final’s week looming you are probably getting less than the recommended amount of sleep (at least eight uninterrupted hours). Well, I have a few tips for you. If it is necessary for you to shorten your allotted sleep time to less than six hours, staying up late to finish that last minute lab report is better for you than going to sleep and getting up early to finish. If you are looking at an all-nighter you are better off not going to sleep at all if you would be getting less than four hours sleep. Most important of all (regarding sleep anyway) you must make up for any deficit as soon as you can. When you are young research suggests that the body is resilient enough to withstand short periods of complete and partial sleep deprivation (five days or less if possible). This does not apply to older adults because sleep patterns change, starting in your early thirties (sorry folks it’s all down hill from there). Later in life sleep becomes increasingly less restful and making up for periods of deprivation becomes more difficult.
Take my advice even if you like shopping; doing so successfully during the holiday season is quite a feat. Long checkout lines and crowded parking lots can do a number on the nerves. Here are a few tips to keeping you from breaking down and screaming at the little kid who jumps out of the clothing rack you are browsing. Break up the shopping; don’t try to get it all done at once. If you are pressed for time or have been at it too long, you will not be able get what you need. If you feel you are loosing your cool, take a break; sit down somewhere quiet if you can. Don’t shop on an empty stomach (if you feel like you are going to faint from hunger you will probably have a hard time focusing). If you can do some of your shopping online, it is relatively hassle-free and you can do it at any time, day or night.
Hey there couch potato! It is important that you keep your activity level up during the holiday season. Exercise will help you work off the heavy meals that come with the territory and keep your immune system in good shape (nobody wants a cold during winter break). A good way to get a post-meal exercise in is to go on a family outing. Suggest a walk around the neighborhood to see the decorations, you’ll burn calories and get to spend quality time with your relatives. Remember the most important part of the winter break is just that. Take a break, rest up and enjoy your time with family and friends.