8 Secrets To Eating Better, Exercising More And Feeling Incredible

The longer’ winter's got you feeling a bit well, weary? Try any (or all!) of these instant energy upgrades and you’ll be charging into spring like a lion. Let’s hear you roar, girl.

- Sarah Wassner Flynn

UPGRADE #1 FUEL UP.

Between the SGA meeting and study hall, you’ve got 15 minutes to eat—so you grab a bag of chips and a couple cookies and call it lunch. Bad news: Scarfing down that stuff is a sure-fire way to zap your zing. Why? Foods made with saturated fats and refined carbohydrates (think: white bread, chips, cookies) quickly break down into sugar in your system, sending your blood sugar spiking. That gives you an artificial boost...only causing you to crash just a few hours later.

A BETTER BOOST: When it comes to keeping your energy levels lifted, whole foods and protein are where it’s at. Try a PB&J with whole-wheat bread or a power salad with dark, leafy greens, grilled chicken, cheese, hard-boiled eggs and veggies.

UPGRADE #2 GET ON YOUR FEET.

Whether we’re in class or crashed on the couch, we spend a ton of time sitting. Studies say that all of this sedentary living is totally taxing on our energy stores.

A BETTER BOOST: Get up and go! Instead of beelining it to your next class so you have time to check your phone before the bell, take an extra lap around the hallway to stretch those legs. Your goal? Aim to get on your feet for at least two minutes every hour. And if you’ve got a little time to spare? Hit the pavement! A mere 20-minute walk or run in the fresh air gives you an instant lift, and the resulting mood-boosting endorphins can last all day.

UPGRADE #3 EXERCISE RIGHT.

You probably know by now that exercise equals energy (if not, see above). But this is only true if you hit that sweet spot between working out constantly and not at all. Spending too much time sweating it out can actually break you down, making you extra tired and more susceptible to colds, the flu and injuries.