LEARN BETTER: ESTABLISHING HEALTHY HABITS

Whilethe last edition of the health and wellness took a retrospective look on what graduate members wished they had known in their college years, this one will zoom in on what’s important for our undergraduate men to know right now. Pulled from the Purdue Global blog, these four tips will go a long way in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing stress throughout your time as a student.

1. NUTRITION

According to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, students gain an average of three to 10 pounds during their first two years of college. The following can contribute to weight gain: eating on the go, not looking at ingredients and serving sizes, choosing eating out over cooking, and nibbling during late-night study sessions. Here are some ways to avoid this:

R Avoid calorie-heavy drinks

R Use portion control

R Focus on fruits and vegetables

R Document your diet

2. EXERCISE AND FITNESS

Sedentary behavior is linked to health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. According to the CDC, you should aim to get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderateintensity exercise every week and participate in muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. Here’s how to easily incorporate this into your day:

R Commute by walking or biking

R Exercise during study breaks

R Find fun workouts to do with brothers

3. STRESS MANAGEMENT

Chronic stress can lead to a whole host of negative effects, including illness, headaches, insomnia, and decreased productivity. Here’s how to combat stress:

R Acknowledge the warning signs

R Practice stress relieving techniques

R Prioritize your gratitude

R Talk it out

4. SLEEP AND REST

Adults need proper rest for their minds and bodies to function optimally. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says adults need at least seven to eight hours of continuous sleep per night. Here are some tips for better sleep:

R Relax before bedtime

R Invest in comfortable bedding

R Cool down your room temperature

R Make your bed a sleep-only zone

Whenyou want to be the best, you must learn from the best. The Naked Bootleg Tailgate, named after the famous Peyton Manning play, is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind tailgate that has grown to be one of the greats in Tennessee fandom. The idea for the Naked Bootleg Tailgate was birthed by Kyle Cantrell, Tennessee ’07 and Daniel

MacIntosh, Tennessee ’07, during their senior year. It started with one tent, four chairs, and a cooler, but didn’t keep to its humble origins for long. Cantrell, MacIntosh, and their wives began to observe the other tailgates and what made them so successful. After saving up some money the group bought their first generator and began bringing an old TV—allowing them to stay throughout the duration of the game and not have to abandon their post for another location. From there the Naked Bootleg Tailgate grew exponentially each year and is now a finely tuned machine consisting of eight tents (two 12x24), three generators, three televisions, grills, and a bunch of crockpots full of food.

Along with the equipment, the community continued to grow. The Naked Bootleg Tailgate soon combined forces with the tailgate of Jeff Moser, Tennessee ’87, and Harrison Moser, Tennessee ’20, which helped kick into motion the revitalization of the chapter. As the Delta Kappa chapter began to rebuild, the tailgate became a home away from home for the undergraduate men. Although the chapter had lost their house during the closure, Cantrell described the tailgate as “turning the park into a house.” As the tailgate thrived, so did the chapter—going on to recharter and win the Maxwell Award.

As this is the Sports Edition of the Laurel, we thought it only fitting to build the ultimate Tailgate Survival Guide. For where there are sports, there must also be tailgates. As you begin to build out your own tailgate, keep in mind these five tips from Naked Bootleg co-creator, Kyle Cantrell.