Classes are going to be tough again this semester. The work will be piling up soon, and there won't be enough time to exercise, lift weights, eat healthy or do other time-consuming things that are needed to maintain a healthy body and mind. But lucky for us college students, health experts and nutritionists demonstrate that there are still convenient ways to help keep us awake in class, reduce stress and remain healthy all semester long.

Fight colds.

Drink lots of water. You don't need to be a biology major to know that being well-hydrated can defend our bodies against a multitude of possible illnesses while allowing our vital organs to function properly, especially the brain.

Since our bodies are comprised of 60 to 70 percent water (found mainly within arteries, muscles and the brain), drinking water is the only true way to replenish these important systems, keeping us healthy and alert.

Muscle fatigue and headaches are often caused by dehydration, and generous water consumption has also been proven to maintain clear skin.

One important consideration is that if you are feeling thirsty, it's too late; your body is telling you it has been dehydrated for too long.

A good way to make sure you're drinking enough is to check for clear urine. Ideally, you should be drinking as many ounces as half your body weight in pounds daily.

Stay awake.

Take power naps. College students rarely get the six to eight hours of necessary sleep per night, but 20-minute naps every day may just be the perfect solution to sleep deprivation.

A nap, lasting between 15 and 30 minutes can help to boost the immune system, reduce stress, improve reaction times and, most importantly, allow for more efficient learning.

It is best to take a 20-minute power nap eight hours after being awake, and sleep researchers report that 20 minutes spent napping during the day is more useful for our bodies than the 20 minutes we get after hitting the snooze button in the morning.

Unfortunately, physical restoration to our organs and muscles only occurs during deep sleep, but cognitive abilities are greatly rejuvenated during light sleep.

Set an alarm to avoid oversleeping; a nap for more than 45 minutes may leave you feeling even groggier.

Don't go around sipping coffee like everyone else to stay awake: Do the right thing and just hit the hay.

Stay strong.

Eat some greens. It's true that getting a slice of pizza can be much faster than putting together a carefully crafted salad.

But even if you hate taking the time to make an appetizing salad, the aggravation is certainly worth it. One piece of lettuce contains over 19 essential nutrients, including some that you may have never even guessed. For example, two cups of romaine lettuce contain 45 percent of the daily value of Vitamin C.

If iceberg lettuce is the only type of salad left at the bar, don't worry. This presumably nutritionally bankrupt food is packed with tons of alpha-carotene (a powerful disease-fighting antioxidant). Lettuce also contains lactucin, which acts as a mild sedative.

A quick salad may be just the thing to eat before your most stressful class. And notice that the salad bar is the only spot to get food without having to wait in a line when the crowds are large in Usdan.

These humble steps will go a long way in maintaining a productive and stress-free semester. It takes more effort to get better when you're sick than just taking some time everyday to be proactive about your health.


The advice in this article is composed of tips from Men's Health Magazine.