College can be extremely draining at points, both mentally and physically. With a mid-term week in the recent past and the other half of the semester left, it’s important to make sure that your body can function properly.
Get those zzzs
For my sanity (and I’m sure yours as well), getting the right amount of sleep is crucial. Making sure that you aren’t under sleeping is super important. According to the CDC, adults should be getting 7 or more hours of sleep per night. Making sure that you are meeting this number somehow is very important. If you have insomnia or are someone who can’t fall asleep until very late, naps will be your best friend. If you’re a good sleeper, you might not need a nap… (but a lot of college kids still do, to mentally refresh). Try experimenting with napping times, because some people only need a power nap, around 15 minutes, while others need a good hour.
Hydrate or Dydrate
Water! Staying hydrated is super important for our bodies to function properly. After all, about 60% of our bodies are made of water. So how do you make sure you’re getting enough water throughout the day? I have found that the easiest way to do this is to use some very simple math. According to Mayo Clinic, men need about 15.5 cups of water daily, and women need about 11.5 cups. The water bottle that I use is 750 ml of water, which I learned from Siri is about 3 cups. This means that I should be drinking a little under 4 water bottles worth of water a day. You can do the same math with your water bottle to make sure you’re staying hydrated.
Get your five a day
A major struggle for a college kid is trying to figure out how to eat healthy, without breaking the bank and still making the most of the college dining hall options. It’s super important that you eat enough fruits and veggies, even though you might not like a lot of them. They are a great source of vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber which keeps your gut healthy. So, try to opt for some of the dining hall vegetable sides for dinner and pick up a fruit cup as a healthy snack. Usually, most colleges also offer salads to eat as a side or meal as well.
Stay clean
Hygiene, people! This may sound obvious but practicing good hygiene is essential. Always make sure you’re brushing your teeth at least two times a day, reapplying deodorant, maybe using some perfume and lotion to keep smelling good all day. Of course, showering on a regular basis is very important too. Keeping up on laundry so that you never run out of clean clothes is another essential thing to do. This is especially important if you are someone who sweats a lot throughout the day.
Move around
Finding time to exercise may seem impossible most days but it’s very important for your overall well-being. Hitting up the school gym a few times a week will be sure to keep your physical health up. If you’re not into lifting weights or running on a treadmill, like a lot of people, see if your college offers different classes. Usually, there is a good variety of things that will interest different people and are at different physical intensities. For example, if you are looking for something less intense and more holistic, yoga is a great option. On the other hand, if you are looking for a sweaty workout, you can’t go wrong with a spin class. But if the gym isn’t really your scene, there’s always the great outdoors. Going for a relaxing walk or hike is a scenic way to sneak in some physical activity while also relaxing.
These are just a few tips on ways that you can keep your physical health up this semester. Good luck!