It’s no secret that we live in a technology-obsessed age. Smart phones dominate our lives, laptops are constantly…on our laps, and a few hours sans wireless scares us more than the recession. Although they’ve all made life undeniably cushy, they’ve also impinged upon a practice that is absolutely essential for our mental and physical health – a practice that allows us to block out the world and enjoy the peace that comes with utter silence and relaxation: Sleep!

A recent article suggests that our insane addiction to technology is causing the students of the world to experience major sleep deprivation. Now, I’m a fan of YouTube marathons and late night text sessions just as much as the next girl, but as the school year begins, it’s important to remember to silence that cell phone, hit the pillow, and recharge.

Here are five wonderful reasons to ditch the technology for a bit of tranquility.

Beauty sleep is real. Instead of spending your after-midnight hours scouring Youtube in search of face-altering tips, simply close your laptop and close your eyes. The glow of healthy and well-rested body is a better look than any expensive bronzer or lotion can provide. Your skin (and your wallet) will thank you for it.

Sleep keeps you slim. It’s true, making sleep way more beneficial in the long run than forwarding that hilarious drunk text from your BFF to TFLN at 3 in the morning. Read More »

It’s 8am and you stumble into your bathroom only to look in the mirror, horrified at how sick you look! You can’t miss any more classes (damn you hangovers for making me take an absence when now I really need it), but you also can’t show your face in public looking like this.

What do you do?

No worries, there are tips to help you sick folk (and those of you who are just really tired and can’t stand the thought of putting on full makeup for an hour lecture). A few makeup tricks will have you looking less contagious and more flirtatious in no time.

Just try not to vom or cough on anyone or you’ll ruin the illusion.

Talking with your doctor isn’t always easy. Whether you are afraid she will judge you, you just don’t feel comfortable sharing the intimate details of your life between the sheets, or you can’t think straight with a speculum between your legs, many people get tight lipped in the doctor’s office. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have questions.

We thought we’d help and every Thursday our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin will be answering your questions. The ones you couldn’t ask your doctor in person. Just leave your questions in the comments, or send em over to us. (We’ll keep it all anonymous for you.) Dr. Lissa will answer anything – really, anything – about sex and other lady things. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: I know it’s pretty typical in college, but I always feel tired and lethargic.  I try to eat as healthy as I can, but even adding nuts and more protein to my diet isn’t working. I was wondering if you had any ideas of things I could do (specific vitamins/things I should be eating) that will help me feel more awake and less foggy on a day to day basis. Thank you.

A: If you’re feeling tired much of the day, you’re not alone. Fatigue and lack of energy are probably the most common reason patients come to see me at CLEAR Center of Health (www.clearcenterofhealth.com), the integrative health center where I work.  Even if the rest of your life is going brilliantly, if you feel tired all the time, it’s enough to sap you of your mojo.

While it may be tempting to grab a triple shot caramel macchiato to get you through, that’s only going to make matters worse. Here are a few natural tips to help you feel more vital. Read More »

Midterms, sleep deprivation, icky weather, oh my. In these gray, stressful times, exhaustion can take over. So if you’ve already downed that 10th cup of coffee but are still looking to revive yourself (for more than five minutes), here are five ways to do it:

Open the Window Shades. If you have them. I am blessed with a bay window in my dorm room, and I use it to my advantage. Light is a beautiful thing. And it’s an instant pick-me-up when all you want to do is sleep yourself into oblivion. So raise those blinds and let it shine! And if you have no windows, get your ass outside!

Take a Cold Shower. Though it may be unoriginal, this renowned technique really does the trick—cold showers are both refreshing, and invigorating! They’re also especially good for hangovers. So come out from your down comforter coma, get off your tush, and jump in the shower! It might be painful, but it will certainly wake you up. If you’re looking for something a little less severe, you can get the same effect by finishing off a hot wash with a 30-second burst of cold. Rumor has it that these chilly splashes make for shinier hair…so jump in, cool off, and rev up that energy!

Exercise. Though counter-intuitive, exercise has been proven to boost energy and reduce fatigue. Convincing yourself to leave that squishy mattress in exchange for a treadmill may be difficult, but it will be well worth it. Plus, you’ll burn calories and suppress your appetite. Believe me—in retrospect you’ll be happy you worked out instead of munching on Cheetos in your jammies. The best energy boosting exercises? Running, Yoga, and Kickboxing. (If not energy, toned muscles, flexibility and useful self-defense moves should persuade you…) Read More »