Healthy Habits for College
Being a college freshman today is an exciting but frightening experience. There is joy and anticipation of being on campus, but students still struggle with assignments and adjust to the new environment. According to studies, more than half of college freshmen struggle with adjusting to life on campus. From working on assignments to dealing with homesickness and making new friends, coping with college can be an uphill task. In the middle of trying to juggle school, work, and social obligations, students’ health and well-being suffer. Here are a few lifestyle tips to get you going.
- Integrate Workouts Into Your Daily Routine
Regular exercise is essential to prioritize optimal mental and physical health. Exercise is important because it helps students avoid weight gain. While the idea of the freshman fifteen may not be accurate, studies show that students tend to gain some weight during the first few months on campus. This may be due to the unstructured nature of college life that pushes students to ignore some healthy life habits.
Exercise helps you manage your weight while offering support for your cardiovascular health. Evidence also shows that those who exercise regularly have better immune systems compared to students living largely sedentary lifestyles. Spending around 30 minutes engaging in physical activity also helps you sleep better and boost your academic performance.
Understand that exercise does not have to include joining a gym or performing exhausting routines. Even simple activities like taking morning walks or riding bikes can be enough for optimal health. Dedicate about thirty minutes each day to physical activity. Here, consistency is much more important than intensity. Remember, regular exercise can also help you reduce stress and build healthy living habits.
- Do Not Overload Your Backpack
College life is already stressful and exhausting as it is, with tons of commitments and energy-draining activities. If you overload your body, then all the hard work you will have done to integrate exercise into your daily routine will be undone. If you find yourself carrying many books, find other useful ways to carry study material, such as investing in soft copies. You can also invest in a quality backpack with padded straps. If you need help with your assignment, place your custom essay order online.
- Focus on Study Habits That Support Your Mind and Body
The hardest part of studying in college is getting started. For most students, the first fifteen minutes of a study session are always the most challenging as they struggle to get into the groove. It can be challenging to study in a shared room filled with distractions. You may find your mind wandering and struggling to stay focused.
Make your study sessions more effective by investing in a good study area with a comfortable seat ad ergonomic table. Find a positive and productive environment with an uncluttered desk. Remember, clutter forces the brain to multitask and harms mental and physical health. Take breaks between study blocks to internalize content and rest.
- Eat Healthy Food
The food you eat is as essential for your well-being as living a physically active lifestyle. According to studies, most college students feel overwhelmed by their food budgets, choosing to go for fast food and unhealthy meal options in the hope of making extra savings. The truth is that healthy meals aren’t necessarily expensive; all you need is a plan that includes lots of fruits and vegetables. You can save on your food budget by purchasing items in bulk as you plan your days, schedule time to prepare meals, and get the rest you need to replenish your energy.
- Make Sleep a Priority
One of the vital things you can do as a college student is to make sure you prioritize sleep. With tons of commitments competing for attention, most students choose to forgo slumber or minimize their bedtime hours. They hope that doing this can allow them more study time and improve their productivity. However, recent studies have shown that poor sleeping habits can harm your productivity and lower your academic performance.
According to studies, students who fail to get enough sleep regularly find it hard to concentrate on tasks. They miss concepts during lectures and cannot recall the things they study. Remember, your body needs sleep not only to rest but also to rejuvenate and consolidate memories. Missing sleep will leave you tired and unable to achieve much the following day. Sleep deprivation is also linked to an increased risk of error and increased stress.
So, how many hours of sleep should a college student get? You need at least seven hours of sleep at this stage in your life. Remember, quality is just as important as the hours you spend asleep. Make your sleeping area comfortable, and turn off your screens an hour before bedtime. You can also improve the quality of your sleep by creating a bedtime routine. Instead of staying awake to complete urgent papers, order coursework help online.
- Improve Your Time Management Skills
College is mostly stressful because most students reach the level before perfecting their time management skills. Understand that you will have multiple obligations competing for your attention. You need to stay focused, committed, and motivated if you are to succeed. Improve your productivity by working on your time management skills. It means reviewing how you spend your days and identifying timewasters. What are those activities that eat into your time without adding value to your life? Eliminate distractions and create a routine to help with motivation. Remember, there is no problem seeking support if you feel overwhelmed.
Successful college life demands discipline and self-care. It means improving your time management skills and prioritizing sleep. Having a schedule will help you complete your projects on time. Eat healthy meals and exercise regularly since your mental health depends on how well you care for your body. Most importantly, drink lots of water, as it helps keep you hydrated and energized. Don’t forget why you are in college. In other words, try to attend as many lectures as possible.