This post is written by our regular contributor, Dr Karen McAulay – librarian extrodinaire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Karen wrote this post in response to a conversation we had on Twitter about the importance of Chocolate in doctoral studies…
When Inger recently mentioned the provision of chocolate frogs at a recent PhD students’ event – how civilised! – I couldn’t help passing comment. Because this isn’t the first time I’ve caught Inger tweeting about delicious food! And we all remember the picture of a table covered in gorgeous iced cakes, on a recent Thesis Whisperer posting. Oh, yum! Well, I should have kept my mouth shut, because Inger has now challenged me to write a piece about the relationship between chocolate and doctorates – apart from the words having five letters in common. Thanks, Inger!
I’m tempted to help myself to a chocolate biscuit as I write this, but that would display a shameful lack of self-discipline. We all know, deep down, that not only does excessive chocolate make our clothes too tight, but self-discipline really is vital, whether it comes to avoiding excessive chocolate, or getting the thesis in on time. I managed the latter, so presumably I have hidden resources of self-discipline. If I could only remember where I left it!
And what am I to say about chocolate? I could write a WeightWatchers-esque article reminding everyone that, whilst a little of what you fancy does you good, a moment on the lips means a lifetime on the hips. No, that would be too preachy.
Instead, maybe I’ll just share a few thoughts about the whole ‘Mens sana in corpore sano’ thing. A healthy mind in a healthy body (or, as Victoria Wood’s book famously said, ‘Mens Sana in Thingummy Doodah’!). And I do know what I’m talking about here, because I’m a migraine sufferer. I can’t stop myself having migraines, but I can take steps to lessen their frequency and severity. And those same steps are actually quite good in combating the stress that everyone undergoes during doctoral studies.
So, here goes. In the first instance, I’ve learned that too many sweet, processed sugary foods just lead to blood-sugar highs then lows. Not good – the human body functions much better in a relative equilibrium.
I hope this doesn’t read like your mother talking, but I’m in my stride now, so I’ll go on. Humans function better on regular re-fuelling. Believe me, I know how it feels when you’re in the middle of reading something fascinating at the library, and it’s so specialised or rare that you can’t borrow it – or you’re just at a critical point in that chapter you’re writing, and you don’t want to lose momentum. Sometimes you can’t help just forgoing sustenance until you reach a suitable point for a break. But where possible, a quick break and a sensible snack are good for your metabolism, good for your eyes, and essential for your mental well being!
Too much caffeine just makes you jumpy. Sorry, but that’s the way it is. I’ve learned to drink more tea and less coffee. I can’t and don’t see the need to give it up, just to exercise a bit of restraint. And it follows that a Mars bar or an iced Danish pastry and a cup of coffee isn’t really the best lunch, no matter how quick, cheap and tasty.
On the other hand, wholefoods are good for sustained energy. And carbohydrates can be very calming, so if your research or thesis-writing brings you to the point where you’re hyped up like a Beyblade on speed, then a baked potato could be just what you need to bring you back to normality. Or a good, thick soup. So long as you don’t do it too often, a bag of chips or a nice stodgy pudding are actually equally soothing (you didn’t hear me say that.)
Alcohol is ‘a good servant but a bad master’. Enough said. (In my case, I know I’ll get a migraine long before anyone else would worry about a hangover!) Don’t let it affect your productivity!
Exercise is the best stress-buster there is. If, like me, you’re a real couch-potato with an allergy to anything smacking of team-games or hand-eye coordination, then the thought of regular exercise is unlikely to appeal. But believe me, exercise does you good. I promise you you’ll be less stressed if you find something you can tolerate doing, preferably several times a week. Now, please don’t start wailing that you haven’t got time! If you’re fit and less stressed, you’ll be more productive in the time available, so go on – walk, swim, cycle, or take advantage of any student gym offer available to you – do whatever it takes, but you will benefit. (Hint: strenuous exercise burns more calories – just one more incentive for taking yourself in hand!)
I seem to have strayed a long way from my brief to write about chocolate and doctorates. Or have I? Of course you can have the odd sweet or starchy treat – just so long as it’s occasional, and not a staple part of your diet. Now, that delicious sandwich that Inger posted the other day … spot on! I can’t remember now, but – was it wholemeal? Surely it must have been!
Have you developed an unhealthy relationship with food during your PhD? Or have you managed to keep everything under control? What tactics have you used to stay healthy while studying?
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