5 Tips for Staying Healthy in College
College is such an exciting time and usually filled with a ton of new changes to how you normally live. In college, you set your own schedule, live away from home, make your own food, take new classes, and overall probably live a very different lifestyle than what you are used to! Although the transition to college is a very exciting time, it can also be stressful at times! Too much stress can affect your performance in and out of the classroom. I've personally experienced some of these changes so I wanted to share a few of my tips on how to stay healthy both mentally and physically in college!
1. Find the Time
2. Get Your 8 Hours!
Okay, I know I sound like a parent, but… Pulling all-nighter for an exam that you have at 8 am the next day is not going to really help you. According to Harvard University’s Division of Sleep Medication lack of adequate sleep affects mood, motivation, judgment, and our perception of events. So as tempting as scrolling through social media may be at 1 am, turn it off and get some beauty sleep!
3. Eat A Balanced Diet
In college, you are surrounded by endless food options! It's easy to get tempted and overeat or not eat the right food, so it is important to be aware of what you’re actually eating. I’ll admit I am guilty of having an unbalanced diet first semester of college, and I’m going to thank the dining hall for that. Now that I live off campus, I go grocery shopping for more healthy options instead of stuffing my face with pizza (although I must admit it occasionally happens…) Just be mindful of what you’re eating, that’s not to say you should be depriving yourself of sweets, just try to eat things in moderation! Try using a Meal Planning Pad, so that you can stay on top of grocery shopping and planner and recording your meals!
4. Stay Hydrated
I know when I’m running around campus I make sure to have a bottle of water with me at all times. It is so crucial to stay hydrated when running around campus! I try to drink about half a gallon of water a day to stay hydrated. If you aren't a big fan of plain water, throw in some lemon or cucumber to give it more flavor! If you don't already have a water bottle, check out these ones from Corkcicle!
5. Just Breath
Amongst all of the craziness while at school it is important to take a moment to relax and breath. I know that when I get overwhelmed with school, work, and other activities I get really flustered! It is so relieving to take just a couple of minutes to try and get into a clear mindset before going on to your next task. There are plenty of apps that help you calm down and remind you to focus on your breathing and help you clear your mind, my favorite app is Headspace! The Dalai Lama said, “a calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.”
I know college can be stressful but hopefully, these tips can help you feel comfortable and confident while at school! Let us know if you have any tips for staying sharp at school in the comments below! Good luck!
xoxo,
Julia
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