ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Mind-Body Secrets for College Success - Six Key Secrets
Embrace the secrets of the body-mind connection and tap into an inexhaustible supply of power and energy leading to your college success. College is a demanding challenge. The role of the physical body is key to peak performance. This secret tool allows us to summon the full measure of our brainpower and talent on demand without hesitation. Strong study habits and academic discipline are most productive when performed by a brain and a body well fueled and precisely tuned. Six key secrets of mind-body performance are nutrition (do's and don'ts), hydration, exercise, sleep and true relaxation. Secret #1?Focused Nutrition_____ Superior brainpower requires high quality fuel. The brain is fueled by oxygenation, hydration and proper nutrition, namely carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are transformed into glycogen within the body, fueling the muscles and the brain. The brain uses 50% of the body's available glycogen and even more when under stress (like during exams). Despite protein's reputation as "brain food", complex carbohydrates are a far superior fuel. Aim for a mix of 2/3 complex carbohydrates and 1/3 protein in your meals and snacks. The best strategy to fuel the brain is to begin the day with a complex carbohydrate rich breakfast and then eat lightly and nutritiously; 'grazing' throughout the day. Be sure to keep the brain well supplied with another 'nutrient': water. Secret #2?Diet Downfalls_____ Despite the popularity of low- carb weight-loss plans, one of the largest contributors to poor mental performance is a diet low in complex carbohydrates. Yet, avoiding certain types of food supports high-level brain functioning. Sugary, fatty, and many protein heavy foods are poor quality brain fuel. Sugar increases anxiety while providing a jittery, scattered rush of energy, followed by a dramatic crash in energy, thinking ability and sometimes mood. Fats and protein slow the brain and create foggy thinking. It is much better to save the cheeseburger or steak until after the exam or power-study session. Secret #3?Ample Hydration_____ Proper hydration is another secret component to boosting brainpower. Brain tissue itself is 85% water, and the brain is quite sensitive to dehydration. Ample hydration allows the brain to function most efficiently, much like grease on gears. Conversely, dehydration slows the brain and is a major factor in fatigue. Reach for a tall glass of spring water rather than a caffeinated beverage, as it will serve you better as a student needing energy and focus. Conservative and judicious use of caffeine can be a useful study aid, but more often it is overused or abused and has an overall negative effect on performance. Be aware that coffee is especially dehydrating. For maximum benefit drink 48-64 ounces of water per day. The benefits extend far beyond boosting your brainpower to support the health of your entire being. Secret #4?Essential Exercise_____ Exercise nourishes the brain with oxygen while cleansing the body of performance damaging chemicals. Exercise relieves the body of stress and it's by-products to create clearer, more creative thinking. Exercise trains the body to handle stress as well as aiding in recovering from stress. Stress itself is not bad. Stress creates growth (mental, physical and emotional), yet the growth occurs during a recovery period. Exercise addresses both sides of this equation; it can relax as well as increase stress capacity. This is especially true when the form of exercise is carefully chosen to create a specific effect. For example, a kickbox-aerobics class or long run may be the best choice when you feel dull and sluggish or frustrated and irritable. Yoga, Chi Gung or a nature walk help soothe nerves and re- focus the mind when you feel pressured or anxious. There is a physiology to our emotions and it is well established that we learn and perform better when we feel good. Exercise is a major key to peak performance that powerfully supports academic and personal success both in college and in life. Secret #5?Quality Sleep_____ We underestimate the importance of quality sleep and true relaxation on our success. However, it is essential. We need at least seven hours sleep for peak performance. Naps are great, but not as a substitute for regular sleep. Studies actually show that "early to bed, early to rise" really does create success. This may be quite a challenge at school, but keep it in mind. Secret #6?Deep Relaxation_____ College success can be derailed by the wrong kind of relaxation. While socializing and 'partying' has it's traditional place in college life, they do not fulfill the requirements of "deep relaxation." Highly personal, develop your own repertoire of spirit-feeding, body-soothing activities like nature walks, playing an instrument, inspirational reading, deep breathing exercises, star-gazing, meditating or yoga practice. Eventually you will be able to precisely read your body's signals and take meaningful action to enhance your talents and abilities despite any outer stress or circumstance. Most advice about achieving college success is centered on developing excellent study habits. While academic discipline and strong study habits are indisputably key factors in college success, there is a powerful 'secret tool' at work at the very foundation of all our efforts. Achieving meaningful success at college, both academically and personally, requires a holistic approach. All mental and emotional strategies we may employ are deeply affected by our core foundation: the physical body. Copyright 2005 Karen B. Cohen Karen B. Cohen is a performance and wellness coach living in a college town in rural Virginia. She works frequently with the faculty and students at Washington and Lee University. Most recently Karen presented "New Paradigms in Modern Leadership" as part of the "Lessons in Leadership" seminar series at W&L. She is available for seminars, workshops and individual coaching, and can be reached through her latest project http://www.RockbridgeMag.com (Karen@RockbridgeMag.com).
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
GCSE English I Hate the Moor Notes about Othello The Shakespearean play "Othello" describes a cruel chain of events ending in tragedy. This a plot of want and destruction caused by one man's envy and malice, whose actions in the name of revenge upon a firma friend get out of control, and go far beyond reprisal, the conclusion to which is loss of life through murder and suicide. College Roommate Personality Clashes: How to Survive Are you living with your total opposite? It's amazing how different two people sharing the same (tiny) room can be. Even the littlest things can drive you crazy after awhile! You eat Big Macs and chicken wings while your roommate swears by tofu and beans; you like Coldplay and your roommate cranks up Tim McGraw. You're East Coast; your roommate is West Coast. Whatever your differences (and there are bound to be a few), you need to figure out what you're willing to live with and what's fair to ask your roommate to change. An Education in Saving on Textbooks Every year students flock to the college bookstore to purchase the various textbooks that they require for their classes. Little do these students realize that, in doing so, they are throwing good money away. As unbelievable as it may seem textbooks, in some cases, actually cost as much, if not more, than tuition. 5 Leading Online Schools The internet has revolutionized many parts of our economy. You can shop, meet people online and, now, you can take college courses for credit. Five schools are influencing "distance learning" like no others before them. Let's take a look at online education providers as offered by these leading schools. Internship Opportunities at Levine Communications ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW! "As we celebrate our twentieth (20th) anniversary as one of Hollywood's most prominent entertainment PR firms, I'm convinced that our intern program continues to be one of the most dynamic in the entire entertainment industry. Since 1983, over 2,200 interns have passed through our doors. We now estimate that over 250 hold prominent jobs within the entertainment industry, having begun their career as an intern in our office." -- Michael Levine Prestigious Entertainment Public Relations firm is seeking Interns to assist one of its busy Publicists. This is an unpaid position for dedicated, reliable individuals eager to learn and experience a real work environment and which offers the following: What Makes A Penn State Online Degree Preferable To Other Online Degrees? A Penn State online degree is a college degree from Penn State University that is offered through the Internet. This is equivalent to a degree received from the traditional on-site Penn State University, and is advantageous because Penn State has a highly esteemed reputation in the academic world. Packing for College Sending a child away for college and helping them pack brings up so many emotions and memories. As you remember back to your days in college or anticipate their days, don't forget some of the most simple things that may be needed and should be packed. Free Money For College What if someone came up to you and offered you $5000 to attend college? Or after college, what if someone called you and asked if you wanted a couple thousand dollars to pay off some student loans? The obvious answer is, "Where do I sign up?" But, the truth is that there are hundreds of ways for you to receive free money for college today ? you just need to know where to look. Student Loans ? Ensuring a Brighter Future Ahead Higher education in the university gives students a chance to open up. They have a completely new world to deal with. Malcolm Forbes says, "Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one." While basic education helps inculcate the values and beliefs in students, higher education illustrates what the real world is. While they taste the charm of independence, they also experience the bitter hardships that accost independence. Distance Learning Degree Program ? How to Study The format of distance learning courses is different than what most students have experienced. The teaching style is more student directed and you will have to become accustomed to these differences. Distance learning relies heavily on technology. If you aren't computer and internet savvy, you will need to learn new skills, in addition to your coursework. Look for classes or workshops on computers and the internet. These are often available in public libraries or community centers. You may feel overwhelmed at the thought of taking another class, but the time you spend learning to use the technology will save you time in the long run. 9 Lessons for Success in College - That Actually Make Sense Most students know what it takes to be successful in college because some genius told them already. But here's the news flash: The prescription probably won't work. Why? Free advice is usually forgettable advice. And guess what I'm offering? More advice. But guess what? It is sensible and forgettable. Building Interaction Into Your Online Course You've already decided that you're ready to author online and you have your content organized. Now it's time to face the ultimate challenge in online learning - making it interactive! How to Choose the Right School For You Now that the admission committees have handed you their decisions, it is time for you to choose which college to attend. For some, this choice is easy. Maybe you were admitted early decision or have a clear first choice. For others, the decision is more difficult. Perhaps you have not visited many of the schools on your list, maybe you and your parents disagree about what is best for your future, or perhaps you just can't seem to figure out what you want. No matter the reason, you must decide by the May 1st reply date. What should you do? What is the Cost of College Tuition? What is the average cost of college tuition? This is one question that most parents and future students ask themselves and need to know in order to plan for a college education. Hidden College Costs: Roommate Conflict Parents, if you're already reeling from the costs of today's college education, take a deep breath. According to one expert, if your kids lack conflict resolution skills, it could end up costing you even more. Federal PLUS Loans As a student entering college, it is very unlikely that you have a few spare checks lying around that you can cash and magically use to pay for college. Most college-aged students, ranging from late teens through mid-twenties, have no line of credit and cannot receive much money in loans if they need to do so in order to attend college. Therefore, a loan like the federal PLUS loan through the federal government and U.S. Department of Education makes it easy for you, as a potential college student, to use your parents' line of credit in order to gain financing options for your higher education. Academic Research on the Internet : There Is a Better Way Students nowadays start their research projects by looking up information on the web. And they are very right to do so, as there are libraries of useful information available. And the best thing about it is that the access is almost instant. With the plenty of articles, research reports, and statistics out there, a new challenge pops up: how do you find the really useful and relevant information among this never-ending abundance? These easy-to-use tips and tricks will greatly improve your online search speed and effectiveness. Online Education: 57 Leading Institutions Getting a college degree today is easier than ever before thanks to the number of institutions offering distance learning opportunities. Whether you are pursuing a undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degree you can choose from scores of degree granting schools. 57 leading institutions are featured here. Parents: Take the SAT Challenge! I keep a box of tissues on the table where I tutor because, as an SAT tutor and college application consultant, I listen to high school juniors and seniors who are so overwhelmed by college pressure that they begin to cry. Not just girls. Not just Ivy League aspirants. Need Help Paying Back Student Loans? Many college students and graduates are looking for a solution for their student loan debt. While borrowers may be having difficulty paying back student loans, there is help. Solutions for paying back student loans are available.
|
|
|
|
|
