Somewhat contrary to popular belief, health goes beyond eating as little and losing as much weight as possible. It's not a secret that the first year of college and all of its changes can massively impact not only the physical health, but the mental health of students as well.
Growing up as a multiple-sport athlete, "health" meant little to me other than eating the occasional salad and not catching a cold. After a year in college, this definition has changed to include my overall physical and mental well-being and has prompted me to make some changes. Here are 5 ways to get healthy during college that go beyond losing weight:
1. Make a morning routine
I won't lie, being extremely organized has never been my strength. I tend to live most of my life in a state of controlled chaos, but that doesn't mean I don't benefit from a little structure. After a bit of inspiration from the people around me, I made the choice to wake up at the same time every day regardless of my class time, spend 10-15 minutes drinking coffee and listening to music and then start my day after. I began to look forward to waking up because of the 15 minutes of peace I could give myself; you'd be surprised how much a simple routine can positively affect your days.
2. Choose healthier foods
I know you've definitely heard this before, but seriously, it works wonders for both mental and physical health. Stop trying to follow ridiculous diets and start choosing foods that make you feel good. Keep easy foods like veggies, hummus, bananas and peanut butter in your dorm or apartment as opposed to cookies and crackers. Not only are these healthy choices mentally guilt-free, but they also could end up affecting your body, even if you don't intend to make physical changes.
3. Start working out
If you're new to working out, college is a great place to start. Chances are you're going to have more free-time than ever, so it might be a little easier to get some exercise in. Don't work out just to lose weight, do it to feel good. When you exercise, hormones called Endorphins are released into your body that can actually make you feel happier. Plus, a good sweat-session can help to flush out any toxins and you'll feel amazing afterward. If you start exercising for even 20 minutes a day, your body will thank you.
4. Take it outside
It sounds simple, but spending even a little time outside can help you find your center. There's something about the fresh air on a beautiful day that can improve the way you feel tremendously. For people like myself who have chosen to attend a school in the northern part of the U.S., this can be especially difficult during the winter. Take advantage of the beautiful autumn and spring days, but also try and enjoy the snow, too. Convince your friends to help you build a snowman or start a snowball fight; you'd be surprised how much your mental health can improve from even a little fun outside.
5. Treat yourself
Be consistent with your health, but also remember to be kind to yourself. Being too rigid with your exercise or eating habits can have the opposite effect on mental health; eat the cookie or buy the Starbucks drink, but do it in moderation. Give yourself days to rest, especially during stressful school weeks. Treat yourself on occasion, be consistent when you can and try to focus on health as a whole.
Being "healthy" goes deeper than having a particular physical appearance; it all comes down to how you take care of yourself, and that includes not only the physical side of things, but the mental side as well.
