When lazy bug bites, bite back!

My friend, Mariah Mahinay, who is currently on her final year as a Psychology student, and a cherished colleague at USC's student publication The Carolinian, gave a few tips on how to overpower laziness, especially for young people like us who face extra workload for the school paper. Being the only staff member in the paper pursuing a major in Psych, she was often the person to call whenever anyone of us needed advice on our romantic affairs, family relations, emotional disturbances or academic burdens. Know from the start: she gives very qualified, professional-sounding inputs.

And here's what she's to say about overcoming laziness among the young people:

A lot of times we get disorganized with what our next move should be. Don't feel guilty if you've been practicing certain lazy habits. Try looking at the choices below and see which fits you best.

1) Rest. We can choose instantly to postpone working for a while. It feels good to think about how time for yourself should come first. Go ahead and swing on your hammock, hear relaxing music and dream. When people come up to you at the start of the week and give “You have to do this or that by this time”, then stress comes and messes up everything. Health researches mention that when your stress hormone, cortisol, is up for too long, it weakens your system.

So get to know yourself. How long does it take you to recharge, empty your mind to gather in new ideas? You may not be fully rested like when you get out of the spa or oversleep to the weekend's standards of 12 hours, but enough to get you back on your feet without feeling dizzy. When your body gets tired, it's a sign that certain parts are straining itself from doing their functions overtime. If you think it's abnormal since you haven't done anything strenuous, then go see your doctor about that.

2) Share. So taking a break has been mentioned but what else can you do aside from napping? Talking to someone about your day, your feelings, maybe expressing it creatively is one productive lazy bug bite effects you can choose to do. At the end of the day, we read posts on Facebook or Twitter on how crazy your day and thoughts are so far, you share your story out there. People like the post, comment and maybe post something uplifting to you in reply. Talking personally to your sibling, parent or best friends help. Who knows? They may lend you a hand at resting, give you advice, make a joke and you will be laughing about it all night.

3) Inspiration alert. I have to admit that I use the excuse of not getting my inspiration to get me going sometime, of not having that flow of energy that passes by suddenly, that force that drives you on to think more and move. Learning from experience, you don't need amazing sources of inspiration to affect you. There are small goals to keep in mind that will help.

A friend of mine works from evenings to mornings almost everyday and what keeps her going is when she watches two or three episodes of the Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother in between those long hours. This is also rewarding yourself in a way. Another way is to keep a treat in the refrigerator but don't eat it yet until you finish your task. Insert a scene of you gorging down that meal or sweet delight in your mouth while working (type-type-type-crunch-type-type…).

4) Work loyal. To some of us, we believe we cannot do without completing a task no matter how long it takes. No matter how many days you have gone without proper eating or sleeping or bathing, it can get that extreme. If work has to be done then so be it, and do it now or else it will be too late. However, being lazy happens to us and then, there are moments when we can end up working straight through the hours and thinking 'that was not really impossible to do'-being diligent will go a long way when you build your career.

It is possible to work to the bones but do not forget that your body and mind need that energy boost for you to cross the finish lines, meet another challenge and get the relief to raise your victory flag for making it. Good luck!