I don't have all the answers to becoming healthier, although I'd love to think so. I know better than anyone how hard it is to stick with a diet or workout plan, especially with delicious carb loaded food made for my meals at the house and piles of homework taking over my free time. However, I have found a couple of ways to work on being healthier.
Get rid of negativity
Negative thoughts drain your energy and keep you from being in the present moment. The more you dwell on negative thoughts the stronger and more real they become and soon you'll begin to get caught up in all the wrong things. Surround yourself with positivity to lift your mood. This can include changing who you spend your time with, the tone of your thoughts, and your daily routine. Get rid of all the things you don't need and start looking into what makes you smile and feel happy.
Add water and eliminate sugary drinks
Many times people actually consume the most calories through their drinks. Instead of getting that extra glass of sweet tea ask for a cup of water. In fact, water can actually help your body eliminate toxins and control your calorie intake, making you feel fuller faster. If changing your diet is too challenging at the moment, drink a glass or two of water before every meal instead. You'll find that this change has greater effects on your body than you thought, influencing your diet and physical appearance.
Eat veggies
The better you eat, the better you'll feel. If your daily diet includes foods that have little nutrients and a lot of fat, you'll begin to feel the weight of all the food your putting into your body. A few extra vegetables a day could potentially reduce your risk for hypertension and obesity. So instead of having a donut or biscuit everyday for breakfast, grab an apple or banana.
Make a daily ritual
Take a couple of minutes out of your daily routine, everyday, to focus on yourself. Whether that's spending time with the Lord, reading a book, or listening to music, 30 or so minutes of doing something relaxing can give your body a little more rest to take on the day.
Get moving
Being active can provide you with more than just a healthy physique, it can grant you fun experiences, time with friends, feelings of accomplishment, and a longer life. Yep you heard that right. According to an article on commonwealth.org, one minute of physical activity could potentially add 7 minutes to your life. If that isn't encouragement to get moving, then I don't know what is!
Take a nap
We've all heard that the average student needs 7-8 hours of sleep a night to maintain energy and clear-mindedness, but how many of us actually get that amount every single night? My guess is very few of us. Our sleep schedule ranges from 3 hours during a test day to 12 hours on the weekend. Doesn't seem the best of circumstances. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to make up those lost hours during a busy week: take a nap. I promise your calculus studying will still be there after your 30 minute nap, and you'll wake up feeling energized. Adding a couple of hours throughout the week days can actually help you retain more information, making studying a little easier.
You can do a lot more than what is said above to have a healthier lifestyle, but to me, these are some of the easiest ways to feel better about yourself. That being said, just because you aren't skinny, thin or muscular doesn't mean you aren't "healthy." Being healthy is all about what's inside both mind and body.
