By Sonja Klotz (The Cascade) – Email
Ever wonder what people mean about the need to stay healthy during the stressful times towards the end of yet another term? Up until now, I just rolled my eyes when I heard about the value of health and wellness and asked people whether or not they would like to take some of my workload for me if this was so important. Little did I know that my utter exhaustion and lack of healthy eating and exercise would catch up to me.
Two weeks ago I had a slightly embarrassing fall on Monday morning. Two days later I was diagnosed with a minor concussion and was strongly advised to withhold myself from any mentally-stimulating tasks such as reading and writing.
Although I am lucky enough to not have any final exams this semester, I pushed myself to the limit, working much harder on final projects and assignments, which has led to many sleepless nights and some poor eating habits over the course of this semester. But after my enforced brain break, I was able to be more productive and methodical in completing my assignments. I was able to use that time to begin planning how to tackle these last few weeks of gruesome papers and projects.
If you are similar to myself and not the type to eat a mini snack, exercise, or take nap breaks, let me suggest two things that have helped me at this time of the school year.
Often when I study I have to listen to music. As you have probably heard countless times before, listening to certain genres of music can be more hindering to the study processes than we’d like them to be. That said, if it is something that really gets you pumped and ready to learn, then I personally think that it is completely fine to listen to whatever helps you focus.
While studies have shown that some types of music can impair your ability to study, those same studies have shown that specific genres are able to help concentration levels. Video game soundtracks routinely pop up as the most effective form of study music. This is due to the fact that video game soundtracks are purposefully designed to be background noise and not attract attention. Â
The second thing I cannot stress enough is the value of sleep. Yes, I know some of you may be sighing because of how often students find themselves working into the wee hours of the morning. In all seriousness, however, our brains need breaks. No matter how many things we have going on, it is not worth letting ourselves stumble through exhaustion and potentially get a concussion from it.
But fatigue is only one of several problems that can arise from a lack of sleep. It can also cause students to fall ill easier, a decrease in hand-eye coordination, greater weight fluctuations, and most concerning of all to a student, impaired cognition, leading to lower grades and poorer academic performances. In the long run, that all-nighter you’re pulling might actually cause more problems than it solves.
I fell because I was exhausted and was just not focusing on what I was doing. Sleep is a powerful drug that can prevent us from experiencing setbacks in our daily lives, no matter how miniscule or major they may be.
