Our health should be one of our main priorities in life, but with a busy class schedule, football games, and a social life, it can be hard. College is a place where it’s easy to get caught up in the “shortcuts.” Grabbing a sugary coffee or a processed granola bar before you drive to class is easy and doesn’t require much thought. But incorporating new and healthy habits into your life one step at a time doesn’t have to seem impossible.
1. Get Enough Sleep
I know, I know, sleep in college… what’s that? Getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night can drastically improve your overall health. After a long day of classes and extracurricular activities, our brain needs its rest and recovery time. Without giving your brain a break, it becomes deprived of all of its functions that help you make the right decisions; like grabbing a chocolate chip muffin in the morning over some oatmeal or a homemade smoothie, because a tired mind does not want to put in the effort of making a smoothie. Sleep also allows our bodies to metabolize and digest our food, burning calories in the process. Crazy, right!? The more you sleep, the more calories you burn. So, doing your best to get some serious shut eye helps more than you would think!
2. Sneak in Workouts
Working out doesn’t have to be running two miles on a treadmill or lifting weights while squatting. It shouldn’t feel like a chore or a punishment, but rather something you enjoy–it’s possible I promise. Exercising can be walking to class instead of driving, taking a stroll around the lake, or biking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Tandem. Exercising and crepes…yes please. The key is to stay on your feet and keep moving.
3. Project Water
One of the easiest ways to see a change in your body, skin, and energy levels is to cut out those sugary liquids you’ve been drinking and substitute them for water. Our bodies are the driest when we wake up, which is why we need to replenish them with a full glass of water first thing in the morning. This will essentially allow your body to wake up as well as help aid digestion. But you shouldn’t stop there, it’s important to keep replenishing our bodies throughout the day. Our bodies are mostly made of water, so it only makes sense to keep refueling them with their main component. Carrying a water bottle around campus with you is an easy way to remind you to stay hydrated!
4. Sneak in Vegetables
I know you hear it all of the time but eat your vegetables! Sometimes, it just isn’t very satisfying to munch on celery instead of potato chips, but you can easily incorporate vegetables into your diet in a fun and tasty way. The best way to do this is through smoothies! There are so many different ways to make them, along with a multitude of options to accommodate your taste preferences! No matter what type of smoothie you make, you can add your own personal touch. Try taking half of an avocado and blending it up with the rest of your ingredients. And voilà, you won’t be able to taste it! The same goes for spinach.
Zucchini noodles are another good way to get your veggies in. Cutting a zucchini up into thin strips and sautéing them with some chicken, soy sauce, and ginger makes for a great lo mein dish that tastes just like regular noodles.
5. De-stress the Mess
I am sure that we can all agree on the fact that college life is really stressful, especially at Furman. Syllabus week… never heard of her. #whoisshe With all of the stress and difficulties us students undergo, it’s crucial that we take time for ourselves. Mental health is just as vital as physical health. Take a break! Go see that movie you keep texting your friends about (A Star Is Born) or binge a Netflix series you’ve been dying to watch (Sinner). Try giving yourself a spa day; throw your hair up, put on a facemask, and paint your nails. Go read that book you’ve been putting off for a while now (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before). At the end of your day, lay down, pull out a journal, and write away! Writing can help you get thoughts out of your head that you maybe wouldn’t just by talking with someone.
Take it day by day and try a few tips at a time until they start to feel normal; they will eventually take on a snowball effect. The more you practice a healthy mindset, the more likely you are to just start living a healthy life. So, challenge yourself to try these ideas for the next few weeks and discover how just some simple changes can make a big difference!