“O.M.G. I have two classes in the CCB.”

“Dude, I have an 8 a.m. SAC class!”

“Those stairs are killer!”

“Understatement of the century.”

Does this conversation sound familiar?  I am sure it does, because in the two weeks since the beginning of fall semester, I’ve heard at least three conversations a day about the dreaded stairs of Pepperdine. But, seriously, are they that bad?

College is the first step toward a completely independent, adult life, and with that comes many new and often overwhelming experiences.  With all of these experiences bounding around in your life, it is easy to feel anxious.

Pepperdine acknowledges this with its wonderful assortment of anxiety pamphlets.  Apparently the counseling office is aware that stress is a very common result of college, hence the free counseling, but there’s no need to worry.  I have the solution!

Do you know what relieves anxiety?

Exercise! And there are plenty of opportunities to do that on this campus.

Now I can picture the overwhelming joy on your face right now, and it is fantastic.  But, humor me for a minute and read on.

An article from “Self Growth”, the online self-improvement community, states that the American Council on Exercise reminds Americans that one of the most effective methods of stress relief is in fact exercise.

Another very reliable source that comments on the benefits of exercise is Elle’s character in the wonderful motion picture “Legally Blonde”, who states before the court in defense of her client, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands. They just don’t.”

Exercise even boosts your confidence by sculpting your body. Personally, my calves have never looked better.  According to Livestrong, “Stair climbing specifically targets the quadriceps, or the front of the thighs, and the buttocks, but the climbing action also utilizes almost all of your leg muscles to some degree.”

After four years at Pepperdine and numerous classes at the top of the famous never-ending staircase, you will have legs of steel and you’ll be stress-free.

Now that I have given you all of this uplifting information, I implore you to think positively about the benefits of this campus.

Enjoy the endorphins, enjoy kick-butt leg muscles, and enjoy being anxiety free!  And above all else, I ask you to challenge your brain and find a conversation that has a more stimulating message than, “I’m lazy, and I hate stairs.”

Follow Caitlin McLaughlin on Twitter.