Being a college student, our to-do lists often involve everything from essays and exams to happy hour. With so much constantly going on, it’s rare to find our health sitting at top of our list of priorities. Though I know that sounds bad, it’s true. Finding a few free hours during the day to go the gym feels like a luxury and creating a healthy, home-cooked meal seems like a myth. These simple steps and adjustments can help you manage your daily hassles without sacrificing your well-being.
1. Eat your vegetables
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Turns out our parents were right, eating vegetables does actually have its health benefits. I know this may seem obvious, but adding different vegetables to your food will help you get full faster and accelerate your metabolism. One of my favorite and least expensive ways of doing this is by adding spinach to everything. Pasta, smoothies, salads – there’s nothing that can’t benefit from mixing in this leafy, almost tasteless veggie.
2. Workout whenever you can
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Another seemingly obvious tip that we are often guilty of skipping over. If your busy schedule doesn’t allow for a trip to the leach, don’t fret. There are plenty of ways to get in at least 20 minutes of exercise a day, which can have a huge impact over time. Walk around campus, ride your bike to class, or dance around your room to your favorite song while getting ready. There are endless opportunities all around to be active all you have to do is find the thing that works for you and your routine.
3. Learn the right food swaps
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When it comes down to it, eating healthy doesn’t have to be that hard. You would be surprised how many tiny adjustments to your regular meals can make them healthier. Simple things like choosing an English muffin instead of a bagel or natural fruit instead of juice can transform a non-beneficial meal into a nutritious one. There are a million other examples of foods you can swap, just make sure to do your research to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
4. Sleep
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Now if there’s one thing on this list I know I can do, it’s sleeping. Of course, maintaining a healthy sleeping schedule is what’s going to make the positive change here. The later you go to bed, the higher chance your body has of getting sick and craving junk food the next day. If you have trouble sleeping, try writing down any worries you have before you lay down. Getting these out beforehand will stop you from dwelling on them as you try to fall asleep. You can also try having some tea or turning off your phone.
5. Watch your worries
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I think the biggest issue people face when trying to make changes towards a healthier lifestyle is attempting to make large changes overnight. This can cause a huge amount of pressure which can easily manifest itself into anxiety or guilt. If you find yourself worrying every time you eat something considered “unhealthy” or skip the gym, remember every small, positive act deserves acknowledgment too. By only focusing only on the seemingly bad choices you make, you are depriving yourself of all the great things around you. Your health doesn’t revolve solely on your physical body, but on your mind as well. Don’t sweat the small stuff and enjoy the food you love! It’s all about moderation and understanding and stress won’t get you anywhere.