Going to college and moving away from home is one of the biggest changes that many young people go through in their lives. It is your first time living away from your family and friends from your hometown. You are in a new city, at a new school, and surrounded by faces that you do not recognize. It can be hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle amid all these sometimes overwhelming changes. Oftentimes when people think about maintaining a healthy lifestyle they think about working out and eating well, but there is much more to it than that. A healthy lifestyle includes physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, and these are all interconnected. Here are some tips for health and wellbeing as a college student:
- Physical Health
-
Do something that moves your body every day. Studies show that exercise leads to better cognitive performance, which is essential when you have busy days filled with classes and homework.
Find a routine that you love! Get in the habit of exercising whether it is a group fitness class like SoulCycle, running, dancing, a team sport, or just a daily walk. Find something that you love to do, but don’t be afraid to switch it up once in a while.
When it comes to nourishing your body, remember that the food you eat is what gives you fuel for all the things you do. Try to eat mostly healthy carbs, healthy fats, proteins, fruits, and vegetables. It is known that eating healthy foods will improve your academic and physical performance. However, don’t be too hard on yourself. Make sure to listen to your cravings and treat yourself when your body wants a treat.
- Emotional Health
-
Make sure to find time every day to do something that you love and explore your passions. Even if it is just ten minutes of your day.
Effectively manage your time by making a calendar or maintaining an assignment notebook. This will help you to compartmentalize your time and avoid procrastination.
Get enough sleep! This is huge, and it is something that so many college students lack. It is essential that you allow yourself to recover and recharge from your day’s activities, so you can have the energy for the next day.
Lastly, talk to people you are close to about your feelings. College can be a stressful time, but you aren’t in it alone.
- Social Health
-
Join student clubs and organizations! This is one of the best ways to meet other people because you will be joining a group of people that have similar interests to you.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to people new or old. Everyone is looking for friends in college, so don’t worry about coming off as weird, because we are all in the same boat.
Surround yourself only with people that make you feel good about yourself. A supportive group of friends is key, and if you don’t think that you have found them yet, it’s ok, because there are so many amazing people out there.
Finally, remember to stay in touch with your friends from back home. Although you are making new friends, it is important to maintain old friendships too.
All of these tips are important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle in college, but the biggest piece of advice I can give is to find your balance. Find a balance that makes you happy, because at the end of the day that is the most important thing!
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, and read our latest Tweets!