Being away from home, having greater responsibilities, and keeping your grades up are all stressful but essential aspects of life at college. Adjusting to the new environment can affect your mental health negatively at first, but there are many small everyday steps and habits you can get into in order to be the best possible version of yourself on campus.
Personally, waking up early so I can take my time before my classes in the morning really starts my day on the right path. I don’t have to rush, and I can eat a healthy breakfast with a cup of coffee for the right amount of energy to power through my 9 am lectures. Also, staying hydrated is a must. If you don’t know how much water you should be drinking daily, divide your body weight in half and drink that amount in ounces throughout your daily routine. If you’re like me and can’t stand the taste of water, add some fresh fruit, like lemon, into your bottles for some extra flavor.
My next tip is to stay active with a small workout. For me, I start off my week with legs on a Monday, abs on Tuesday, and I alternate every day with Sunday being my rest day. Your muscles actually grow and give the results you need on rest days, so don’t workout the same muscles every day, and don’t forget to eat! Your body needs fuel at least three times a day when active (especially proteins); you will not see results without feeding yourself properly.
Lastly, start a new, healthy habit such as reading a new book. Limiting your screen time is beneficial for your eyes and brain after the technology usage during class time; there’s no need to add 3 more hours on a screen during your day when you have so many healthier options.
Every person is different with what may help their own mental and physical health, so always experiment and try new things. The ones I talked about are just some examples of what has helped me become the best version of myself. Talk to friends and family or someone you trust on what advice they may have too, and you’ll be on your way to improving your mind and body.