A lot of us dream of being fit and healthy, but don’t know where to start or just don’t have the time. Believe it or not, there are really simple things we can do every day that have a large contribution to our overall health. Read more to find out how you can become healthier without going on a diet or going hard at the gym.
1. Drink more water
There are water refill stations everywhere on campus. Take advantage of them! Set a water intake goal for the day and stick to it. Ideally, we are supposed to drink 2 liters of water a day. It sounds like a lot –the equivalence of a large bottle of soda –but it is necessary. Start with a smaller goal, like 1 liter a day (or 2 regular-size water bottles), and then gradually increase to the recommendation. Drinking water, especially throughout the day, allows us to flush toxics out of our bodies and gives us energy. Water is the healthiest beverage for us!
2. Get at least 7 hours of sleep
A lot of us are up late trying to finish last minute assignments or studying as much as possible the night before an exam. Those actually have more negative consequences than benefits. Our brains need rest, and so do our bodies. Staying up late and not getting proper sleep will actually impair memory and make it hard to concentrate during the exam. It would be more beneficial to just go right to sleep. We need at least 7 hours of sleep in order to function at our best. It seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to be sleeping for 7 of them, but it should be a priority. Instead of spending hours on our phones and procrastinating work, we need to make time for the important tasks during our days so we can get adequate sleep.
3. Power walk to class!
It’s a blessing in disguise that our campus is so big and therefore the walk to class is usually pretty far. Use it to your advantage! Don’t stand in the cold waiting for a bus. Get your heart pumping, legs moving, and walk! And don’t just leisurely walk, challenge yourself. Walk swiftly and try to make it a workout. If you believe that your power walk is a workout, studies have shown that there’s a higher chance of showing results of weight loss. Maybe leave a few minutes later than usual and make it a challenge to get to class on time. You will be making a workout out of something you already have to do every day.
4. Take the stairs
If you live on the top floor, 8 flights of stairs might seem frightening. You don’t always have to take the stairs! But make it a once a day thing to just get a leg workout in. It will only take a few minutes and it will make you feel good. After dinner is a good time to walk up a few flights. It will help with digestion. But if you live on the 2nd floor, please always take the stairs. No one likes pressing “2” for you on the elevator.
5. Keep healthy snacks in your room
When you’re hungry and don’t want to go to the dining hall, you’re going to eat whatever you have in reach. You’ll go for the ramen, easy mac, cookies, and chips if that’s all you have. If you only have healthy snacks, that’s what you’ll eat when you need a snack! Try to buy nutritious, light snacks. Some good ideas are Greek yogurt, baby carrots, rice cakes, or pretzels and hummus. If you’re really hungry, you’ll eat them. If you don’t feel like eating them, then you’re truly not hungry.
By doing these 5 easy things, you are already helping yourself become healthier! You don’t even have to make much change in your everyday routine. The little things help in the long run.