Destressing from the world around you can seem like an impossible task. The key to a healthy life is balance. In college this balance is often seen as deciding upon whether you want a social life, an outstanding GPA or a healthy routine. It’s a battle we might never win no matter how many hours we spend at the gym working off the well-deserved box of pizza we ordered with our friends after a long work week. I come bearing good news; the summer is upon us! We have three uninterrupted months of living a healthy, balanced life. Now, I am no expert, but I can tell you things that have worked for me (hopefully they’ll work for you too)
Seven tips to becoming a healthier you- College Girl Edition
Tip #1- Yoga.
At first, I thought yoga looked uncomfortable and seriously debated if my body could even get into half of the positions I have seen. The first time I tried it I was still a little weary, but as I got stuck in a move that wasn’t easy to get out of it really gave me time to think about how relaxing of a position it was.
Yoga is a connection to yourself. It is the closest you will ever come to pure bliss. 30 minutes of yoga is 30 minutes away from the craziness we call a life. It’s a way to shut your mind off and strengthen your spiritual vibes.
Plus, you can do yoga in bed! They have energizing routines for the morning to get you going, and calming routines at night to help you sleep better. So really you have no excuse.
Tip #2- Sleep.
I know you probably hear people say this all of the time, but sleep is SO important. It is way more than just eliminating those designer bags you’ve been rocking underneath your eyes since mid-semester. Sleep helps restore everything you’ve damaged from all of those all-nighters you’ve pulled. But really, there are a lot of health benefits to getting an appropriate amount of sleep. In fact, sleep helps with a better sex life! bet you didn't know that. It also helps increase your moods and manage your weight. It's all about the balance right?
Tip #3- Tea.
There’s a certain type of tea for everything!
Hungover? Ginger tea
Slow metabolism? Green tea
Tired or stressed? (You’re a college students, don’t lie) Chamomile
Bloated? Lemon tea
Tea is like the end all be all for anything you could possibly be going through.
Tip #4- Good Vibes
Remove the negativity from your life. You need to take a serious look at the people you are letting into your head. If they bring more negativity than anything into your life than you can handle, why are you still letting them be a part of it? This goes for relationships, friendships, Netflix shows that you’re stuck watching because you can’t quit now…
Tip #5 Read a book.
When I read a book it’s like I get lost in the pages. Suddenly, I am part of the story. I have this attachment to the characters that when I have finished reading I am almost upset. Talk about a peaceful escape from reality. (depending upon which book you read of course)
Tip #6 Exercise.
Those endorphins that release when you’re working out? That’s a real thing. Honestly, anytime I am feeling down, or stressed (I drink tea) and workout! Now that its summer it’s a perfect time to set and work on those goals! Exercise helps control your weight, improves your mood and helps with your sleep! See how everything is connected here? It can even help you in school. So, whenever you think that you don't have time to workout at school because you'er too busy trying to get that A? Going to the gym could actually help you with that! Make the time.
Tip #7 Make time to do something you love each week.
Life is too short to not do what you love on a regular basis. For me, this is writing. For somebody else? Running, drawing, playing an instrument, hiking, taking the dog for a walk, anything. It doesn’t have to be huge, you just have to enjoy it.
Now that you have time to think for yourself and not what assignment you should be doing, it’s time to start living the life you love and balancing your responsibilities and pleasure. Happy summer!
