Hello college students and/or busy people trying to find the key to staying healthy in the hectic schedules we have put ourselves into for some reason! Staying healthy in college can become a chore, its so much more comforting to eat mac and cheese in bed than eating an unsatisfying apple that has been sitting on your desk for far too long. Last year when I was a freshman in college I made so many unhealthy choices that really set me back as a runner that I had to work hard to get back too. Now, being a sophomore I have recognized the choices I am making now versus what I did this time last year and feel I can be some help to those struggling currently.
1. YOU NEED TO EAT- Please don't think starving yourself is the answer. You are in one of the most stressful/demanding parts of your life and you body needs fuel. Please also do not think that eating donuts for breakfast than not eating until dinner when you have a pizza and maybe a little bit of fruit will even itself out and be okay for you. Of course these days do/must occur every once and a while of eating junk all day but making it a habit is what gets people into trouble.
2.SNACKING AND DRINKING WATER- is essential. Snacking, as long as it is healthy for you he majority of the time, is a metabolism booster, it keeps your digestive system in motion. Throughout the day since my classes overlap with lunch time I keep a box of cinnamon Teddy Grahams, applesauce pouches, and fiber one bars in my backpack. This way I don't depend on cheese its from the vending machine and am able to fuel my body up with healthy/easy to digest foods during class. Drinking water also helps you digest, clears your skin, makes your tummy feel full when you're craving pizza fries... need I say more?
3. EXCERSIZE- a lot of universities offer free group fitness classes or on campus gym memberships, look for them, use them! They may seem dumb at first but they get you engaged and a really good workout! Some are held in the mornings, afternoons, and nights Sundays-Fridays so they work with your class schedule giving you so many opportunities to work out. Some that I participate in include: Cycling, Abs, and Yoga. Of course doing abs in your dorm room is completely possible as well! Same with going for a run outside! Maybe even sign up for a 5k with your friends to give yourself a goal and drive to workout!
4. SLEEP- I know its hard especially when your teacher assigns 25 pages of active reading along with all your other classes homework or your friends want to go out again, but you need to make yourself and your health and priority. Of course every now and then go out with your friends that extra night and stay up doing those assignments if they're due at 8am the next morning but don't forget about yourself. You are so much more responsible than you ever have been and are so much more busy than you realize and your body and brain feels it all, give it some rest. If you don't have class until noon or so and you're tired at 9pm or 10pm the night before but still have homework to do for that class at noon. Go to bed. Going to bed early and setting an alarm for 8 hours after you do will have you up much earlier and energized than you would've been if you would've pushed to stay up later. This way you'll wake up around 5am or 6am and have around 6 or 7 hours to wake up and get the homework done for that class. (also naps are key)
5. USE YOUR STRESS- do not fear it. Fearing stress can only make it worse. Studies have been done that show viewing stress with a negative connotation is inherently so much worse than viewing it positively. View stress as motivation. You have a 10 page research paper due where your professor has been incredibly vague on instructions but is still strict on grading? You've got this. You can do this. Take a deep breath, get some fruits and veggies in you to power through the day, maybe treat yourself to a Starbucks drink because you've got this. You are surrounded by people that support you and you can tackle anything that comes your way.
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