We all have the general knowledge that staying healthy includes healthy eating, exercise, sleep, and reducing stress. But as soon as the first big assignment or exam of the semester rolls around, some of these basic health needs go by the wayside. Try out some of Her Campus’ realistic approaches towards good health!
Move
Exercising improves mood, boosts energy, and combats health diseases and conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of weekly exercise for adults. Between classes and assignments and clubs and all of your commitments (you busy woman, you), squeezing in 150 minutes of exercise might just seem like too much — but remember that it does not have to all be at once! Try breaking up your workouts into ten-minute chunks. As long as you’re exerting at least moderate effort for ten minutes at a time, you can make exercise something that works best for you.
Fuel
Whether you’re working on your bikini body*, trying to gain weight to keep you warm in the winter, or are content with your beautiful body just the way it is, it’s important to ultimately remember that food is fuel. The USDA has created an interactive application on its website called MyPlate to illustrate the five food groups essential for a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy), which can help you to become educated in making healthy food choices for yourself.
*Keep in mind, all you really have to do to have a bikini body is to put a bikini on.
Hydrate
In addition to food, proper fluid intake is essential to your body. Water flushes toxins from your body, helps deliver nutrients to cells, and keeps a moist environment for your ear, nose, and throat tissues. If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. According to Mayo Clinic, even mild dehydration can deplete your energy. A general guideline is to drink eight 8-oz glasses of fluid daily — this can be hard for some of us to keep track of, but if you can make sure that you drink enough fluid to rarely feel thirsty and your urine is clear or light-yellow, you’re giving your body the amount of water that it needs.
Rest
Sleeping is essential to healthy brain functioning and improves learning. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep for young adults (18-25 years old). It’s ideal to keep a regular sleep schedule, but realistically, there are going to be some nights that you need to stay up a few extra hours and some mornings that you just need to stay in bed for a few extra hours. Keep in mind, however, that the NSF does not recommend less than 6 hours or more than 11 hours.
Relax
A buildup of negative reactions to stress and challenges can eventually harm your overall mental and physical health. Try to set aside 30 minutes of “me-time” each day to stay grounded so that when challenges do arise, you are better equipped to handle them. Some activities that can help you stay mindful are meditation, a quick daily journal entry, or even whipping out a coloring book.