Sleep is for the Weak? GMAT and Your Health
At this time of year, when you say “I’m healthy” people immediately think that you are free of colds or viruses. It seems that everyone is fighting some cold, bug, strep, bronchitis or dreaded influenza – that would be the flu! Of course, we know that being healthy extends well past our colds and coughs to our physical, mental and emotional well-being. To achieve consistently high performance and live to tell about it, we have to take care of ourselves. That goes for GMAT preparation too. (It’s Friday, you know I’m going to talk about the GMAT!)
You are going to put in a lot of time to prepare for the GMAT. Let’s be real though – all study hours aren’t created equally. Many of your study hours will come at the end of a long day of work…or maybe the morning after a few tasty libations. This is just the reality of applying to business school while maintaining the rest of your life. Of course, you need a study plan and you need to execute that plan, but it’s more than that. Anyone can go through the motions of studying. You’ve done it before. The book is front of you and you are turning pages, but nothing is firing in your brain. That’s not going to help you on the GMAT and is just wasted time. To get the most out of your study with your hectic life, you have to have a healthy mind and body.
1. Rest Your Weary Mind
One of my former colleagues used to say “sleep is for the weak”. I must be so feeble, because I need my sleep. And most likely so do you. There are only a few lucky people who can sleep for 3-4 hours and function at their best. Sleep impairs your cognitive function – reducing your alertness, problem solving and concentration. It’s harder to learn when you haven’t slept. Know how much sleep you need on a daily basis and commit to getting it.
2. Feed Your Brain
Eat your veggies! And fruit. And maybe a little protein too. Seriously, food is your top energy source! If you are going to figure out that permutation and combination then you need all of the energy that you can muster. You might also want to limit your alcohol and coffee intake. And my God, lay off the Red Bull and 5-hour Energy!
3. Work It Out
Working out is the first thing to go when I’m stress. I am always going to choose sleep and food before over a jog. With that said, on my most stressful days 50 minutes of yoga is just what the doctor ordered. Exercising (even if it’s just a 20-minute walk) can decrease fatigue and boost your mood – exercise triggers those endorphins to help you feel good. Exercise is also a stress reducer and if you are studying for the GMAT you can use some available anxiety reduction. You want to feel great when you take the GMAT. And why not also look great!
4. Get Your Mind Right
I expect that you will work really hard while studying for the GMAT and completing the MBA application process. Every day you will feel like you have so much more to do – and you’re right, you do have a ton of other tasks to complete. But you have to know when to say “enough” and take the mental and physical breaks necessary to rejuvenate so you can come back to your GMAT study refreshed and ready to keep going. That break might include exercising, it might be reading a book for pleasure, or it might be hanging out with friends. This is a grueling process so make sure that you have the mental fortitude to get through it intact.
