The first few weeks of school are crucial for maintaining your health and forming positive habits. Prioritizing your goals is essential; they might include boosting your immune system, sticking to a balanced diet, or staying active. It’s easy to lose sight of your goals when you could be balancing a heavy workload with your classes, maybe a part-time job, and staying social with friends. With that, here are some ways to stay healthy.
- The first thing that could be most important is managing your stress. Please don’t tackle too many obstacles at once, and space out your time to avoid being overwhelmed. Getting a planner or writing out a to-do list every day can help visualize what you need to do with your time. Take breaks! Add time in your day to do things just for you.
- Make sure you keep a good sleep pattern since not enough sleep hurts your health more than anything. That can worsen the immune system, as it compromises your defenses. Your body and brain have an easier function, and it’s less hard to get up for that 8 a.m. class if you keep up a normal sleep schedule. Should you find it hard to fall asleep, try setting your phone aside a half hour before bed, then do something calming, such as journaling, reading, or listening to music.
- It doesn’t have to be difficult to eat well at college. To keep energized and focused, try to consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein. Keep nutritious snacks like fruit or granola bars on hand to avoid skipping meals, especially in the morning when you have a busy schedule. When possible, pick more whole food options when eating either in the dining hall or off campus.
- To keep healthy, you don’t have to go to the gym every day. You may make a difference by walking to class, stretching, or doing any small movement throughout the day. On most days, try to get at least 30 minutes of movement; it improves energy, your concentration in school, and lowers stress levels. Do something you love, such as participating in intramural sports or utilizing the workout classes in the student life center.
- If you’re feeling sick, it’s important not to just “push through”. Go see a doctor or go to the student health center. If you’re not cautious, many things could weaken your immune system. Take moments to relax. Over time, high levels of stress can weaken your immune system. Avoid sharing drinks, and wash your hands frequently. Another thing that many overlook is keeping your phone clean. It’s one of the dirtiest items you use daily. By taking care of these minor issues, you may help your body fend against the flu, colds, and any other illness that is common on campus.
- Lastly, drink lots of water!! When you’re running between classes, it’s easy to forget to drink water; however, dehydration can make you feel tired, give you headaches, and also mess with your focus. Have a water bottle that you can reuse, which is good for the environment and for you. You should refill it a couple of times per day, on top of the coffee or energy drinks.