There are so many things to do on campus: go to class, study, do homework, and make new friends. Although it might seem like there aren’t enough hours in a day, here are some quick and simple ways to stay fit and healthy on campus.
1. Go to the gym
If you only have time to go to the gym for 30 minutes, that is still 30 more minutes that you have spent making an improvement to your body and health. Lift some weights or do some cardio; you will feel much better about yourself. Go alone and take the time to enjoy the alone time, or go with friends!
2. Go to fitness classes
A fun way to stay fit is to go to the group fitness classes. A lot of regular gyms would have you pay an additional fee for these types of classes. The school offers a lot of classes including “Zumba,” “Abs, Butt, and Core,” yoga, and more! It is all a part of your tuition, so why not take advantage of that?
3. Try intramural sports
You can also play intramural sports on campus. There are so many different sports you can play and it is not as time-demanding. There is basketball, soccer, and even dodgeball!
4. Go for a walk to de-stress
If you have been spending a lot of time studying and doing homework, take a 10-minute walk to clear your mind and get some air. UMASS Lowell is along the Merrimack River, so take a walk or maybe go for a run and enjoy the scenery
There are so many unhealthy and tempting places to eat on campus: Starbucks, Hawk’s Nest, Einstein’s, and so much more! Be sure to choose something that you like that is also healthy for you. Eat a salad at the dining hall and on the way out, grab some fruit! There are many ways to make better eating habits on campus.
6. Do some quick exercises while watching Netflix
If you are laying down watching Netflix, you can do some crunches every 10 minutes or so. If you are sitting in your common room, get up and do some jumping jacks! Don’t be a couch potato!
7. Drink water
Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Water flushes out your kidneys, prevents dehydration, and helps maintain fluid balance within your body. Drink up!
8. Walk to class if it is nice out
Take advantage of the sunshine to soak in some Vitamin D!
9. Track what you eat
A simple way to see what you put into your body is by writing down what you eat and drink during the day. If your diet consists of mainly junk food, it is easier to visualize how much you should cut out of your diet.
10. Don't stay in bed all day on the weekends
It might seem tempting to just relax and stay in bed all day on Saturday and Sunday. Fight the temptation! Get out of bed, grab some friends, and do something fun! Maybe take a walk in downtown Lowell or go out to eat (something reasonably healthy of course)!
11. Explore your new home -- Lowell
Lowell is your home for the next four years or more, so why not get to know it and explore it? There are so many tours, museums, and stores to go to!
