The semester’s off and running, the weather’s getting worse, and next summer feels like an eternity. It’s easy to find your mood plummeting, your motivation waning, and your usually chipper self turning into a snappy betch. Misery has a snowball effect: you’re grumpy, and it rubs off on your roommate; you’re already in a bad mood, and walking into a pop quiz can set you over the edge. Before the blahs take over your body, take time to stop, breathe, recharge and rejuvenate. Here are five quick pick-me-ups to get you out of a funk.

1. Sleep: You’ve been up at the crack of dawn every morning to hit the gym, struggle to stay awake through three back-to-back classes, rush to your part-time job, and finally head home to tackle several hours worth of homework. Of course you’re feeling dreary! Lack of sleep can have adverse psychological effects– take it from a girl who is known to burst into tears at the slightest provocation after pulling an all-nighter or two– so even if you can’t fit in a full eight hours of sleep a night, treat yourself to a long, comatose nap. When you wake up, you’ll be more energetic and alert, so it might even boost your studying stamina later in the week.

2. Treat Yourself: You’ve been running on empty for weeks, neglecting yourself in order to make a good impression on your professors, sorority sisters, friends, coworkers, etc. Do something nice for yourself. If you have some extra cash, buy yourself a new outfit. If you think you look good, you’re bound to feel good, too. Low on cash? Scrape together some change and download a couple of jams on i-Tunes. I mean, they’re only 99 cents most of the time– you deserve it! Get a track that will raise your spirits, like Flo Rida’s “In the Ayer,” DJ Laz’s “Move, Shake, Drop Remix” or, for a bubblegum pop sound, The Orion Experience’s “Obsessed with You.” Then, crank up your speakers and have your own personal dance party for a few minutes. It’ll be worth it. Read More »

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I am genuinely happy in my single-dom. I don’t find myself staring angrily (and jealously) at happy couples as they pass by or judging the quality of an evening out at the bar based on how successful I was with the opposite sex.

I don’t sit home watching romantic comedies and sobbing into my pillow as the couple lives happily ever after and all I can think about is how I am going to end up alone. With cats.

Quite the contrary, I have become quite taken by my current situation; I can do what I want when I want and worry about no one but myself. I have all the time in the world for my family, my friends, my work and everything else I want to devote my energies to. I am happy. Really happy.

Unfortunately, my best friend isn’t taking to her life as a single woman quite so well. She is where I was about six months ago; missing a previous relationship, feeling like the only single girl in the world and beginning to doubt herself as a person. Oh, and missing sex….terribly. Read More »