I think we all do our best, especially now, to try and be “healthier”. Whether that means forcing yourself to go on a run, downloading a meditation app on your phone, changing your diet, etc., we are constantly putting pressure on ourselves to improve our overall well-being. While this is both a positive and important mindset, it is easy to put unrealistic expectations on ourselves, especially in college. I, myself, am guilty at times of prioritizing the desire for a certain body or lifestyle image above all else and making too many sacrifices to achieve that image. In the age of social media, fad diets, and influencers, it is nearly impossible not to compare yourself to others and be influenced by their lifestyle choices. On top of that, there’s a ridiculous surplus of opinions on what is “healthy” and what is not. Overwhelmed yet? Me too. Welcome to being a college student in 2021. Spoiler alert… it’s incredibly stressful.
College itself is an especially unique environment. Between overloads of schoolwork, adjusting to living away from home, and of course, the social scene, it can be hard to keep up. It is so easy to fall into unhealthy habits or patterns. That, combined with a long list of responsibilities and assignments, can leave you very little time to check in with yourself. From my experience, college kids tend to always live on one end of the spectrum. They are either on a “health grind” or a “party bender”, depending on the week. It’s a never-ending yoyo between taking care of yourself and throwing all cares to the wind. The point I am trying to make here is that it isn’t as easy as it seems to be healthy in college. More often than not, trying to be healthier can add to your stress, not detract from it.
Some may see this as a negative environment but don’t pack your bags and move home just yet, because I see it as an opportunity. The opportunity I am referring to is to be taught arguably the most important lesson we can learn in college outside of the classroom, which is how to find balance. We are not always taught the right way to navigate our new busy lives and find balance, but it is one of the most crucial things we will ever learn to do as young adults. In my opinion, if you are a college student who is prioritizing your schoolwork while also making time to see your friends and take care of yourself, you are as healthy as can be. Healthy habits are very important but don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be the spitting image of wellness at 21 years old. My advice is to try and find as much balance as you can. Stay out too late last night? Try and go for a walk or eat something nutritious and don’t beat yourself up. Let go of your expectations about how you think you “should” be living your life and just do what makes you happy. I promise, constantly living on one end of the spectrum won’t make you happy, so try taking a few steps towards the middle.