15 Tips on Staying Healthy in College
By Briana, age 19, Pennsylvania
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
It's common knowledge that college is one of the most stressful times of your life. So in response to this, many college students are very tired, gain weight, or are just on edge. But if you pay attention to these simple tips, you can avoid these pitfalls of college life!TIP #1
Take the stairs, skip the elevator. This tiny change in your daily schedule will give you that little extra push when you're trying to stay fit.
TIP #2
Walk to class, don't drive. Walking will keep you fit and wake you up in the morning. Also, by not driving you will save you money on gas and help the environment!
TIP #3
Take a dance class. Dancing is so much fun, you get school credit, and it will keep you healthy! What's not to love?
TIP #4
Exercise for long lasting energy. Don't rely on drinking energy drinks. They're not good for you, and even if they do help you stay awake, they burn off super fast, and you'll wind up crashing. Exercising will keep you awake and help you stay fit. It's also a good way to de-stress.
TIP #5
When pulling all night study sessions, go for the healthy snacks, not the junky ones. Mindlessly munching is okay when you're eating vitamin-filled fruit or protein-packed peanut butter, but not salty Doritos or sugary candy. These things may even make you feel worse.
TIP #6
Take a water bottle with you to class. If you get thirsty, you'll have something healthy, and you won't be as tempted to buy a soda from the vending machine.
TIP #7
Try not to stay up, or out, too late on school nights. Sleep is essential and will affect everything you do during the day. Without the proper rest, you lose focus, energy, and drive which can lead to falling grades and lack of participation. Try your hardest to get the appropriate amount of sleep for your age group. You'll thank yourself for it later.
TIP #8
Just because your cafeteria is "all you can eat", it doesn't mean you have to eat all you can eat. Simply put.
TIP #9
Don't procrastinate. The more you push things off, the more you will have to do all at one time. This is super stressful and can be extremely unhealthy. Believe it or not, you can even get physically ill from being stressed, so especially stay away from this immense stress creator.
TIP #10
Get as much sleep as possible. Even if you think you can go a few more hours, it's not healthy.
TIP #11
Go swimming! If your school or residence has a pool, swimming is a great way to exercise and de-stress, AND its super fun!
TIP #12
Find a hobby. Something easy like drawing or knitting can be very therapeutic and will help you relax and de-stress.
TIP #13
Walking or running is a good way to exercise and clear your mind after a long day.
TIP #14
Take advantage of what the school offers you, for example, the gym. It's free and it's on campus, so why not go? Also, some school gyms offer classes like yoga, Pilates, and so forth which are great ways to exercise with your friends for free!
TIP #15
Treat yourself. Even if you're trying to eat well or have a ton of homework to do, give yourself a treat every once in a while. Having your favorite ice cream or watching a movie with your roommate may just be the right thing to help you relax.
Keep these tips and others you may come across in mind. They'll help you make the right decisions along the way! :)