As the weeks drag on, and I try to find any means of staying warm, I have found an oasis. Literally an oasis from the cold, as well as a mental oasis from my work, and that is the gym.

As a college athlete, I love being on a schedule, and I got used to my crazy schedule this fall. Class, study, practice, study, sleep, repeat. Although it seems crazy, it made life so much easier for me. I never had to think about things like stress, because there was simply not enough time. Once the season ended in November, I had way too much time on my hands, and I got stressed. Although I worked out after the season, it was not the same because I was not training for an upcoming season.

When I got back to school, I knew I needed to get back into a groove and back onto a schedule. Here is what I did and my tips for you to get fit physically, while relaxing mentally.

Find a time that you can be consistently in the gym

If the gym becomes part of your schedule, it is so much easier to make the time to work out. College gyms have pretty flexible hours, so even it is from 11 p.m. to midnight, find your time.

Find a gym buddy!

If you have someone else who has similar goals as you, and you can be sure will commit to working out everyday, make them your gym buddy! And even if you guys can’t get into the gym together, try to be accountable for making them work out.

Find a workout that works for you

It’s easy for me as a college athlete because I am given a strict workout to follow, but do some research to find something that works for you.

Set realistic goals

It's not too realistic to want to get your Zac Efron body if you haven’t done a push up in a few months. Yes, that can be a long-term goal, but create realistic short-term goals so that you can feel rewarded for accomplishing them.

Create a killer playlist

Find your jams that motivate you. I find that mix of rap and techno gets me going.

Lifting is for everyone!

Lifting helps you burn fat faster, helps with almost all other physical activities, as well as gives you a fitter look. Even if it’s just a little added weight, it can make a big difference.

Get on the treadmill!

Although I know the elliptical is popular, get on the treadmill! It burns more calories, helps strengthen your bones, and is an overall better workout.

Use the gym to relieve stress

Working out will release endorphins, help put you in a meditative state, as well as help remove chemicals that cause stress. If you’re feeling stressed, go for a jog or hop in the pool for some laps!

Get a quick workout in even if you can’t make it to the gym

It is super easy to find quick body weight workouts that you can do in your dorm room. You can find them on Instagram, Pinterest, or with a quick Google search.

Have fun!

Find a workout that you can stick to and is a fun stress reliever for you!