College places a lot of demands on a student. You have to juggle multiple classes, do your personal studies, finish your assignments as well as find time to relax and maintain a healthy social life. Having so many things to do often means that college students neglect their personal health.
To thrive in college as well as in life, it is crucial to also prioritize on living healthily. Here we are going to look at a few simple ways that can help you become healthier, happier, and more productive.
1. Eat Healthily
We are going to start this by addressing what you put into your body. Food can make you either healthy or unhealthy and it is important to learn how to eat right.
For one, always ensure that you eat breakfast. This will fill you up in the morning and provide your mind with enough energy to learn something new in class every day. Secondly, it also prevents you from feeling hungry and overeating which can cause your body to store unhealthy fat.
Also always ensure that you never skip meals and that you consume three meals a day. Your choice of food should comprise of healthy meals and it is crucial that you avoid fast food. This can be difficult when you consider that college food is mostly fast food and processed foods. However, with a little effort, you can identify where to access healthy food.
Read our guide on managing your food budget while surviving as a student and also learn more about how your diet and health is so important to your learning.
2. Stay Away from Sugary Drinks or Caffeine
As a college student with a lot to accomplish and deadlines to meet, you may be tempted to study beyond school hours. For instance, you may want to pull an all-nighter to study for an upcoming exam.
Many students will turn to energy drinks and caffeinated drinks to keep them alert. However, it is only a matter of time until you experience a crash.
While such drinks can boost your moods quite fast, they are harmful in the long term. A better and healthier way to keep yourself alert is to consume foods rich in protein and fibre.
3. Exercise
When and where are the first two questions that will pop up in any college student’s mind when asked to exercise. It is understandable considering the busy schedule. Exercise, however, helps you burn off body fat and achieve a healthier body.
The good thing is that you can have your workout every day as part of your daily routine. For instance, you can choose to walk to school instead of taking the bus. Walking for 20 minutes to an hour can have a great positive impact on your overall health.
Another option is to take advantage of reduced gym memberships offered at your college. This should motivate you to hit the gym at least two or three times a week.
4. Stay Hydrated
Your body requires proper hydration throughout the day to perform at its optimum. Without sufficient amounts of water, you will begin to feel lazy and unmotivated.
Drink fluids when walking to school, as well as any time you need to take a sip. Another great benefit of staying hydrated is it flushes out toxins from your body and helps clean your kidneys. Furthermore, drinking enough water will provide you with smooth and supple skin as well as promote cardiovascular health.
5. Get Ample Rest
After a long day of moving from one class to another, to and from meetings, you will feel pretty beat by the end of the day. Being motivated is admirable but pulling an all-nighter can have drastic effects on your long term health.
It is important that you get at least 8 hours of sleep every day to prevent your brain and body from getting fatigued. This will allow you to approach the next day with vigor.
6. Find Time to Relax Through the Day
The busy college life can put a strain on a student’s mind. It is crucial therefore that you know how to deal with the pressure of attending lectures and doing exams. Stress can cause various health problems such as depression and heart disease and affect your overall health.
The best way to deal with such pressure is to take time and relax. During the course of your study session, take regular breaks to allow the mind to refresh. You will find that you will get more done using this strategy.
7. Avoid Harmful UV Rays
During your free time and when you need to relax, you may want to catch a few sun rays. It is important to keep your skin protected and not be out in the sun for too long.
The risk of skin cancer is all too real after all. One way to do this is to wear a hat. Also, avoid spending hours under the direct sun at any one time and always wear sunscreen.
8. Don’t Forget that Flu Shot
During the colder winter months, the flue can run rampant across college thereby increasing your chances of catching it.
A flu shot is a great and inexpensive way to remain safe and healthy. Granted the cost of the shot might be high for a student on a tight budget, but it will be less costly compared to getting treatment after catching the flu.
9. Maintain Proper Hygiene
Studies show that by washing your hands, you will prevent many diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. Observing proper hygiene should be a part of your lifestyle.
Ensure that your hands a clean when eating food, when you leave the washroom and before you touch your eyes or put something in your mouth.
10. Avoid smoking and drugs (really)
Peer pressure can push a college student into doing things that will ultimately harm their health. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are two of these things. Smoking in particular causes severe health issues such as lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. Remember, you are in college to build your future not to destroy it.
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