Archive for September, 2008

Just. Chill. Out.

Thursday, September 11th, 2008

There’s a lot of change that happens as you go back to school.  It’s easy to get overwhelmed and spazzed out with all the new demands.  Stress is not pretty though.  Stress can cause headaches, mood swings, anxiety, stomach pains, insomnia, and even make you break out.  Here are some pointers on how to reduce the feelings and effects of stress as you’re going back to school.

Nix Procrastination:  It sounds novel, but not waiting till the last minute to do something will dramatically relieve the stress of critical deadlines!

Eat Well:  You’ve heard it a thousand times before.  Eating a healthy, well balanced diet will keep you resilient against the tolls of stress.  So do yourself a favor and eat something green for a change.  And most of all, don’t forget the cure-all of health; drink plenty of water!

Be Active:  You don’t have to subject yourself to rigorous training.  There are easy ways to be active.  Just a quick walk around your neighborhood will help clear your head, get some endorphins pumping, and refresh and energize you.

Get a Hobby:  Join a table tennis team.  Learn to play the accordion.  Knit a sweater.  Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it.  Hobbies are the perfect miniature getaways from the stresses of life.

Just Breathe:  Sometimes it helps to just take a break from a stressful situation, and take a few seconds to breathe deeply.  Try stretching as well.  These are proven relaxation methods that will help you loosen up when under duress.

Teacher Knows Best…or at Least This One Does

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Some words of wisdom from Saddleback College Graphics teacher Karen Taylor (one of the best teachers ever!)…

Question:  Does kissing up to the teachers really work?

KT:  No.  But being nice does.  Nice to me (of course) and nice to your classmates.  Be nice.  Be respectful.  Listen.

Question:  What is your biggest pet peeve as a teacher?

KT:  For m, some of the worst things are rudeness (see above) and not taking responsibility for either your mistakes or your actions.  Everybody messes up sometimes, own up to it and move on.  Also treating assignments as if they were races – believe me, the first to finish is never the winner.  Do the work the best you can do it.

Question:  Best way to win brownie points with a teacher?

KT:  Did I mention being nice?

Lunchtime Tips

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

Many parents are wondering how to make healthy lunches for their children this year and keep them affordable.  Here are some things parents and analysts recommend:

  • Package your own bags or snacks in baggies or reusable plastic containers rather than buying prepackaged ones.
  • Take a reusable water bottle instead of a drink like a juice box.  Fill it with water, milk or juice.
  • Consider buying more hot lunches, which sometimes cost little more than a dollar.
  • Shop around for sales and buy in large quantities when you can.  Freeze things until you need them.
  • Think about lunches when you’re making dinners, and set some aside so you have enough for the next day.  That will make sure your family doesn’t eat it up.
  • Take a food inventory so you know what you have and can plan around that.  And that will cut down on trips to the store–which could add up to big savings.
  • Talk to your kids to see what they really want.  If they’re not going to eat it, don’t give it to them.
  • Involve children in the lunch-making process.  Analysts say if kids take part in packing their lunches, they will be more apt to eat them.