www.theotherpress.ca Life & Style. A tidy house, a tidy brain Getting in the headspace to optimize your workspace By Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor hey say your house is a reflection of your state of mind, and if you're anything like me at this point in the semester, then both of those spaces are probably in a state of overflowing chaos. I frequently find myself storming around my apartment, looking for this paper or that book, only to find the errant item in some obscure place like a Starbucks bag next to my toaster. Regular decluttering is a great way to bring order to the madness, create a harmonious work space, and maybe cling to those few remaining shreds of sanity. Even if you still live with your parents or have minimal space to declutter, the following tips will get you motivated to carve out an optimal personal space just in time for the oncoming onslaught of exams. The “one in, one out” rule This rule helps you avoid collecting too much stuff in the first place. For every item you acquire (tacky mug, tank top, highlighter), get rid of something you already have. It can also be turned into the “one in, two out” rule, which works particularly well with books—at the recent Event magazine book sale, I bought four novels, a purchase I justified by bringing back eight novels to donate the next day. Everybody wins! Force it! The fastest way to get myself to clean my kitchen is to invite someone over for coffee. After extending the invitation, I have a few hours to get the dishes done, counters wiped, and that week-old pot of Kraft Dinner incinerated. Nothing puts a fire under my butt like the potential shaming of my peers. If you’re the same, a good way to get things tidy is to plan a study night, invite all your friends, and clean up the evidence of your slovenliness. Make no excuses My mom came up with this particular gem: “Let it go, let it go, let it go,” sung to the tune Vegging out! The ups and downs of vegetarianism By Sonia Panesar, Contributor here’s a common misconception that being vegetarian means giving up foods that are either interesting or tasty. While sometimes true, vegetarianism is better for your health in the long-run. There are several kinds of vegetarians— read ahead to see what their diets consist of. The most common type of vegetarian doesn’t eat meat, poultry, or fish. They still eat dairy though, including eggs. Another commonly known vegetarian is a vegan— in addition to avoiding meat, poultry, and fish, they generally don’t consume products that come from animals. But why are people vegetarians? There can be a variety of reasons, such as taste preferences, spiritual reasons, care for animals, as well as for ecological reasons. Health is a key reason for a lot of vegetarians. Vegetarians have a lower risk of developing heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and cancers such as breast, colorectal, and of “Let It Snow.” Dance around your house singing those few simple words while you cut the excess. Donate things you don’t need, and don’t be slowed down by excuses like, “I need to wait until I have time to sell my DVDs on Craigslist,” or “Aunt Mildred gave me this cardigan three Christmases ago, I have to keep it.” Just focus on getting stuff out the door. Use the time you would otherwise spend procrastinating Everyone procrastinates. This is a known part of a student’s creative process. Unless you're some kind of superhuman school robot, you likely spend a decent chunk of your time staring at the wall or re- watching Star Trek: The Next Generation on Netflix. So instead of doing all that stuff, spend a solid hour in a cleaning frenzy. Start with your desk and work outward; pick a new room each day. The rush of activity will break up the monotony of constant studying, and the somewhat meditative process of sorting and purging could bring on some much-needed academic inspiration. Photo courtesy of Canadian Veggie (Flickr) ovarian. Vegetarians have a lower rate of these maladies because they tend to have a diet which is higher in fruits, vegetables, and fibre. Vegetarians are also more likely to have a hormone-free diet, as non-vegetarians consume meats that may have been injected with growth hormones. Capitalize on your mood Stressed about school? Grumpy because your umbrella flipped inside out and left you drenched? Pissed off at how goddamn loud everyone is in the “Quiet Study Area”? Sometimes a bad mood can be the exact boost you need to spark a healthy purge-a-thon. Harness your rage and take it out on that poor, unsuspecting pile of old winter sweaters that’s gathering dust in the back of your closet. The only thing more fun than spring decluttering is spring cleaning. Getting rid of excess and organizing what is left behind are great things to do while you're gearing up for exams. Not only will you create some much-needed clean surfaces, your space will be totally primed for a dust-every- corner deep clean overhaul—once you ace those pesky exams. Some animals also have had steroids, epinephrine, and stress hormones in their blood streams which are passed onto the humans who eat them. Vegetarians tend to have a greater life span because their bodies don’t have toxins from animals in their blood, and they consume less animal fat, therefore they are less likely to have a build up of atheroma, also known as artery plaque. Several studies suggest that vegetarians may live an average of four years longer than non- vegetarians. However, being a vegetarian does have its drawbacks. There tends to be a lot less variety of food, the flavours get old, and your taste palate isn’t as broad as that of a non-vegetarian. There are also some health problems associated with vegetarianism, such as a deficit of vitamins that are not available in plants, grains, or dairy. Prudent vegetarians tend to take supplements such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and zinc. Supplements can be avoided if the individual makes an effort to balance their diet and ensure that they are receiving all the nutrients they need to nourish their bodies. Being a healthy vegetarian is possible. Choose whole-grain products instead of white bread or refined grains. Don’t turn to sugary, high-energy foods. If you want to satisfy a sweet tooth, choose fruits instead. Don’t limit your taste buds— explore by trying foods that belong to different cultures. Plan your meals for the week, or create a menu for yourself. Make sure you eat everything in moderation; try going for low- fat varieties or non-fat varieties. Most importantly: don’t let anyone bring you down, or let anyone discourage you.