4 Ways to Stay Healthy While at College
For many teenagers and young adults, leaving home to embark on a journey toward higher education can be an exciting time full of learning, discovery and networking with others. This is also a time when students are challenged with the task of taking care of themselves and being more self-sufficient, while also focusing on their studies and fitting in some fun.
After student move-in day, it’s important to take some time to settle in and establish a healthy routine that will help you to stay healthy and organized while you navigate through this exciting chapter in your life.
1. Keep it Clean
Most illnesses start in an unkempt, messy environment. It’s recommended that you clean and disinfect your living space on a consistent basis to avoid illness.
Using disinfectant spray is quick and easy and can be incorporated into your daily cleaning routine. Campus moves can kick up a lot of dust; the best way to eliminate any dormant viruses or bacteria is to start out with a clean slate in your dorm. So, before you unpack your things, give your room and other parts of your new living space a thorough cleaning.
2. Get Plenty of Rest
With all the excitement of new people and experiences and the high expectations of achievement at college, it can be easy to forget about resting and getting a proper amount of sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, a young adult (ages 18 to 25) should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night on average.
Without getting the proper amount of rest on a consistent basis, it can be difficult to stay healthy; both physically and mentally. It’s easy to get carried away with all of the nightlife on- and off-campus and hit the books a little too late during mid-terms and finals, but try to make your sleep schedule a priority. Your body and brain will thank you for it.
3. Stay Active
Getting a decent workout in every day, either in the morning or in the evening, can help your body to de-stress and can also help to build up serotonin levels in your brain. Increases in Serotonin can lead to more positive thinking, an increase in focus and productivity. Even going for a brisk walk at any time of the day can help to boost the happy juice in your brain and change your perspective for the better.
4. Eat Healthy
If you’re new to living away from home, it can be a challenge to eat healthy, especially if you’re not used to preparing meals as often. Try to buy healthy whole foods at the grocery store and eat out less often, your body and your wallet will benefit from both.
If you do eat out or get food delivered to your dorm, try to balance that out by drinking water instead of soda or getting a thin crust pizza instead of the cheese stuffed crust. Choosing healthier options and making it a habit to incorporate less processed foods can contribute to overall health and wellbeing.
Have a Great College Experience
It can be difficult to make time for these things, especially for younger students experiencing this sort of independence for the first time. But if you want to remain healthy and excel while away at college, and be strong enough to survive the end of the year student move-out, consider these helpful tips.
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