Being Sick in College: 5 Tips and Tricks

If you are currently sick and away from home, welcome to the club.
Being sick itself is not a fun time, but being away from home where you're loving parents have cabinets on cabinets of medicine well stocked? Ugh.
So here are five medicine and comfort tips and tricks from a fellow college kid to help you get through this flu season:

1. Theraflu Nightime Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Tea (Green Tea and Citrus Flavors)
HOMIES! This stuff is the best. Don't shy away because it's a "tea." All you have to do is put water in a mug, microwave that for 1.5 minutes, then put the tea poweder in and stir. And it legit tastes like fruit juice! I take this within the hour of going to bed. It helps me get drowsy and stops my runny nose and cough for a few hours.
I promise you, this is an amazing product. At Walmart, it's about $6 for a box of 6 packets.

2. Rice Bags
Hear me out. You know those heating pads that you plug into a wall and it warms up? People usually use them for cramps and such. Well, here's a much cheaper, DIY version! I had a friend gift one of these to me my first year of college, and I still use it 4 years later! It's literally a bunch of rice in a cloth bag. I heat it up in the microwave for a few minutes and I'm good to go! When I'm sick, I like to put these at the end of my bed to keep my feet warm, or wherever I have aches and pains.
Click HERE to see how to make one for yourself!

3. Emergen-C
Okay, I have to admit. I don't really like the taste of this stuff, but there are multiple flavors and you an definitely mix it with other drinks and fruit add-ins! While this may not help you get over your cold, it can help prevent one from coming on!
Currently, Walmart is selling a box of 30 for $10, which boxes of 10 are $5.

4. Yoga 
I've had a cold for the past three days, and it has really messed up my workout schedule. As much as I want to get back to the track, I can't! I have a pounding headache and my body just wants to chill out. If you feel the same way, you'll be so excited at this link I found! It's a short yoga sequence for days when you're not feeling well. It'll get your blood flowing and strech your muscle, without overdoing it.
Click HERE to see the yoga sequence!

5.Sleep and Hydrate
These are obvious tips, but they are so important! You're going to need to prioritize here, especially if you're away at school. While classes are important, you probably don't need to be at your friend's house until 1 am. And if you can, try and take a quick nap between classes.
I always have a water bottle by my bed when I sleep, but when I'm sick I usually have two! It's so so so important to keep your body hydrated, even if you're not currently sick. Keep drinking those fluids! 

The Art of Organization

Welcome to a new week, friends! And a new week means new videos...

Today, our video is all about organizing your small space.

Watch above, or click HERE!
Here are three other tips we didn't mention in the video, but you lovely viewers get to read because you follow this blog:

calendar/planner

I mentioned planners in the video, but you may notice that I also write my To-Do's on a calendar as well. I put this calendar above my desk in my room so I can see it no matter where I stand in my room. Having the calendar as well as the planner helps me remember what I have going on, especially during busy weeks where I may not have a second to reach into my backpack and open up my planner.  

de-clutter

Cleaning your room can sometimes be a daunting task. You may have clothes on your bed, notebooks on your floor, and let's not even talk about your bathroom or kitchen. So if you're feeling overwhelmed but don't have hours to set aside, try and pick up and put away just three things right before you go to bed. And if you're feeling ambitious, make your bed in the morning! Trust me, it makes a world of a difference. 
When you do have a few hours to spare, you'll first want to clear your sleeping and work space. Get those random papers organized that have been sitting on your desk for days! You can even take the time to go through your closet and clean out (and donate!) the clothes you haven't worn in a while. 

utilizing your space

I talked about this a little in the video, but this is a very important key in staying organized when you live in any small space. In the video I mentioned using plastic drawers, which are great for storing clothes, just make sure you're folding your clothes the best way possible! Here's a helpful hint to make sure you're getting the most space from small dressers and drawers: 

 

 

Thanks for reading! Watch below or click HERE to watch last Friday's video which was all about the Iowa Caucus and what the candidates wore. 

Not sure what to give a friend for Valentines day on Sunday? Come back to our YouTube channel on Friday to see our video on easy, cheap, and cute Valentines DIY's!
 

Finding Motivation // Reward Yourself

I've already written a post about finding the perfect personal motivation for yourself, but this past month I've re-discovered how important it is! So here's what I'm doing to motivate myself…


During the first few weeks of March when I was home for Spring Break, my mom told me that we're going on a cruise with lots of family in June! It's a quick trip to Mexico, but any fun trip like that means two things: lots of food and even more pictures.

So it's time for me to get my butt (and everything else) in shape!

My motivation is the cruise, so what's my reward?

I've been searching and saving for the perfect swim suit for this cruise! So when I reach my goal and feel my best, I can get that swim suit and wear it with pride!

Now I know most of yo know that I do not support the use of scales. I'll admit that I weigh myself maybe twice a year, but I like to go off of how I feel more than set numbers. When you feel great, you walk with confidence.
That being said, I am measuring myself. I have my thigh, bicep, and hip measurements (in inch) just to keep track. I don't have any goal numbers, but I do like this way of keeping track of my weight loss and muscle gain. My advice for measuring would be to not have set goal measurements. Unless you've talked with a professional trainer or someone with a degree, you may end up hurting yourself more than helping.

At the end of the day, please remember that you are wonderful the way you are. You do not need to look a certain way or be a certain weight. I just know that I do not feel my best now because I've slacked on my healthy eating and workouts. So go off of how you feel and smile, my friends!

Have a great day!

Handling Anxiety In College

For those who don't already know, I have a good amount of anxiety.
I'm constantly stressed, and I'll admit that I bring that stress upon myself.
I take lots of classes, involve myself in many extracurriculars, and tend to procrastinate.

Being at a new school in Utah has given me a much-needed fresh start. I've found a few new coping mechanisms for my anxiety (no medication needed). I know that moving to a new place without family or friends can bring stress, so I've decided to share six tips and tricks I've learned.

1. Don't skip meals.
I know waking up 20 minutes earlier is hard, but making yourself that smoothie before class is going to help you through the day. Even if you have a huge paper due tonight at midnight and you only have your abstract done, make sure you go to dinner. Not eating is going to make you hungry, tired, and moody. Those extra, negative emotions are going to make your mind wander, making it harder to concentrate and get stuff done.

2. Make sure you sleep.
I've mentioned this in previous "being healthy in college" posts, but seriously! Naps are great! 7-8 hours of sleep per night is recommended! I swear if I hear one more person say "Well, I only got 4 hours of sleep last night, so I'm going to sleep 10 tonight," I'm going to throw a rock.
Catching up on sleep isn't a thing.
You're only going to corrupt your sleeping pattern even more.

3. Exercise 
While doing your 60 minutes of exercise everyday is ideal, we don't always have the time. I'll admit, I only do about 45 minutes, 4 days a week! But I also make sure to walk to all my classes, on campus meals, on campus activities, etc. and use the stars in my dorm. Take advantage of the walk!

4. Yoga/Meditation
I'm going to admit it. I'm not a yoga person. I'm not flexible or patient. However, I found a few yoga stretches I can do quickly and easily every night. I take a minimum of 15 minutes per night to stretch (mostly my hips; thats where I tend to hold the most stress) and then spend about 5 minutes after to meditate. When I say "meditate," I mean that I sit cross legged on my floor in a dimly-lit room and just relax. I focus on my posture and clearing my thoughts. Doing this before bed each night helps me fall asleep faster, which eliminates tiredness and eventual stress.

5. Aromatherapy 
After I shower before bed, I use Johnson & Johnson's Baby Bedtime Lotion. Okay, that sounds weird, but it is an aromatherapy lotion designed to help you fall asleep easier. While some of you may not believe in aromatherapy, you may understand that having a set pattern you complete before bed does help wind the body down and mentally prepare yourself for sleep. It builds associations. For example, when you put lotion on, do yoga, or brush your hair before bed, etc., your mind realizes that you're getting ready for bed because you've built these associations by doing the same thing before bed every night before (yeah. psychology.). For my entire pattern, I shower with Bath & Body Works "Stress" body wash from their aromatherapy line. After, I braid my hair and use either Johnson & Johnson's bedtime baby lotion or Bath & Body Works "Sleep" lotion to rehydrate my skin. Then I'll complete my yoga & meditation routine. If I have the time, I'll sit in a comfy chair and read for a few minutes, then turn on my fan and get into bed (I should say "climb" into bed considering the extreme height of my bed, but that's a story for another time).

6. Organize!
Ever since my junior year of high school, I've been attached to my planner. I get a new one every year, and when I misplace it, I admit, I sometimes cry. Seriously, those things are a life saver! I generally write the times of my classes for the day, meal times, and study times/breaks. I also add in events and such when needed. It helps me take a deep breath and say Okay, self. It's all here. 
My planner looks like this:
It's from Target and I love it! I pick the size depending on my course calendar for the semester/year. The more classes I take, the more space I need.

Hope these ideas help! Midterms are almost here, which means stress! Try new things and figure out which ones help you stay focused and calm. 

Thanks for reading!

Mascara Master Post

Okay, this post has been a long time coming.
But basically, I'm obsessed with mascara.
No, really.
I will spend all the money necessary to find that perfect black tube that makes my dreams comes true.
(That sounded a lot more poetic in my head, but lets just go with it.)

Anyway, I figured most people don't want to spend the time and money trying to find that perfect mascara for them. So I've made a list of nearly all the mascaras I've ever tried!
The only thing you need to do is figure out what your eyelashes are (Short and Thin, Long and Thing, Short and Thick, or Long and Thick).

Let's get started!

SHORT AND THICK
LONG AND THICK
+Benefit's "They're Real
  -The thick brush will give you some length and lots of definition
  -Awesome for a more natural look
SHORT AND THICK
LONG AND THICK
+Bare Mineral's "Lash Domination"
  -Very similar to Benefit's "They're Real," but the bigger brush will make your lashes stand out a little more
SHORT AND THICK
LONG AND THIN
+Maybelline "The Falsies: Big Eyes"
  -BIG, solid brush
  -It's two sided; One side for the bottom lashes and one for the top, which I love!!
  -This mascara will give you ultimate definition
SHORT AND THICK
SHORT AND THIN
+Covergirl "Lashblast Volume"
  -Big, fluffy brush
  -Will make your lashes full, but not defined
  -Similar to Benefit's "Bad Gal"
SHORT AND THIN
LONG AND THIN
+Lancome "Hypnose Drama"
  -Very rich in color
  -Takes a few uses to get used to, but the results are amazing
  -My favourite!
SHORT AND THIN
LONG AND THIN
+Clinique "High Impact"
  -Similar to Benefit's "Bad Gal" but more dramatic
  -Very "rich" in colour and quality
SHORT AND THIN
+Benefit's "Bad Gal"
  -Giant, soft brush
  -Grasps all lashes & volumizes
  -Not too dramatic, but noticeable
LONG AND THIN
+Sephora's "Full Action"
  -Not as full as Lancome HD, but very similar
LONG AND THIN
LONG AND THICK
+L'Oreal "Lash Out/ Voluminous Butterfly" (The changed the name recently)
  -Slightly more dramatic than Benefit's "They're Real"
  -Good definition while still voluminous, but not overly dramatic
LONG AND THIN
LONG AND THICK
+Lancome "Defincils"
 -Good "in-between" brush
 -Too "rich" for short lashes

Always check online to see what the prices are before heading to the store! You may find a cheaper price at Ulta or Amazon!

Also, if you're looking to grow your lashes out, I HIGHLY recommend "Grande Lash - MD: Eyelash and Eyebrow Formula." This normally runs about $80, but can be found on Amazon for $40. Seriously, this stuff works. I kid you not. My dear mother and I are proof!


Thanks for reading this week's post! I had a lot of fun going through all my makeup bags are reviewing products.
If you'd like me to review anything else, let me know! I love trying out new things.
Have an awesome week!