Po' it up!

You’re sitting in class watching time go by on your clock because you know that as soon as it hits 1:50 p.m. spring break has officially begun!

There are no more worries. Midterms are done and over with and spring break has arrived! Parties, dancing, and getting drunk are the plan for the next week.

Students at CSULB are ecstatic about spring break because not only does it mean a seven-day break from books and homework, it also marks 5-6 weeks left in the spring semester!

For some students this means a nice getaway home for a week to spend time with family, especially for students from out of state or some hours away from home. For others, spring break is a time to have fun, party hard, and drink ‘til they pass out.

Alcohol is greatly consumed during the college years. Binge drinking is a common form of drinking during college. It was reported that 40% of students age 18-20 binge drink. In another recent study, 43% of college students admitted to binge drinking at least once a week. To binge is to consume more than 5 beers for men, and 4 for women.

photo from onlineuniversities.com

“Students have to realize how serious this issue with drinking can become,” said David McKay, professor of mathematics at CSULB. “Alcoholics are increasing in the younger generation and it seems like no one cares how this is affecting their body, especially the liver.”

The liver is the organ that is primarily affected when consuming alcohol. Your liver performs more than 500 functions to your body, the main one being to break down and eliminate toxins as well as breaking down fat. It is a vital source that our body needs to properly function.

Regardless of the effects alcohol has on someone, they are going to do what they want. This isn’t a way of trying to scare people out of drinking, but it is a way to be safe about it and to know the damage it is doing to the body.

Have a fun, exciting spring break and try your best to make smart decisions when it comes to alcohol.

Catchin' Some ZZZZZ's

It’s that time of the year again folks! Midterms- that horrible time, usually in October and March, where professors test your knowledge on the material you’ve learned in your college courses so far.

College students take these few days serious as they study vigorously for hours at a time, but their sleep is kept at a minimum. What many students at CSULB and other college campuses fail to realize is that a good night’s sleep is actually extremely vital for productivity, especially during the strenuous few days of tests and papers due.

The effects that sleep has on the body include a better memory, sharper attention, healthy weight, and lowered stress. A lack of sleep can deprive students from these positive traits that sleep provides.

“I like my sleep. I live on campus and am taking 18 units this semester so I need my rest whenever I can get it,” said Samuel Ahana, second-year biology major at CSULB.

“During midterms and finals, I’m always up late studying but I try to make up for it by taking naps during my breaks in between classes.”

photo from csmonitor.com

Another healthy benefit of sleeping is that it curbs your inflammation. People who lack sleep have higher levels of inflammatory protein in the blood, therefore making their risk of developing heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes, greater.

People, especially college students would rather be doing other things in their free time from school, but sleep may not be one of them. Students still make time to work, if employed, and go out and have a social life. Some of these are done in place of sleep, which can be unhealthy.

In order to live a healthy, positive, and productive life, seven to eight hours of sleep will do the mind and body well.

Catch up on your zzz’s and don’t take it for granted because a well rested mind is prepared for anything- even those dreadful midterms.

Good luck!

Some Healthy Food for Thought

Pizza, soda, french fries, oh my! These are just a few of the favorite junk foods most students at CSULB love to eat on a daily basis.

The effects these foods have on the brain during school hours may have you reconsider calling pizza your favorite food of all-time. Students at CSULB have many options to healthy eating. Although it seems like students are not very educated on the positive effects that healthy, nutritious foods have on the brain and body.

“When I started eating a healthier variety of foods, I noticed an immediate change in my overall health, especially mental. Instead of eating a pop tart for breakfast, I switched to eating fruits and vegetables. “ said Brittany Crosby, a second year kinesiology major at CSULB. Missing breakfast or skipping out on any meals causes a lack of performance in the classroom. The energy level in a student is low because the nutrients aren’t there.

Photo courtesy of HealthyLifestylePlus.com

A proper nutrition is the best way for the brain to perform as best as it can. A lack of proper nutrients and calories causes a difficult time in school. Eating healthy also improves concentration and problem solving.

“I noticed this approach keeps me full with a mind that is clear from any mental interruptions that may directly impact the efficiency of how productive and attentive I am during my lectures. “ said Monae Broadnax, a third year student at CSULB. “Eating healthier indirectly makes school easier.”

Whether or not school is something you enjoy getting up every morning for, a good breakfast and healthy diet is always the best way to turn any day into a productive one.