College can definitely be the cause of many changes, some of which are negative. Throughout the semester, you can grow bad habits that seem convenient at the moment, but will have a negative effect over time. I know that for me, sleeping late and procrastination are parts of my daily routine that I’d like to get rid of. After recently following a few lifestyle accounts on Instagram, I’ve decided to change my routine for the better. Yes, it can be difficult at first, but effort and consistency make all the difference. Now here are 5 tips for improving a busy lifestyle…
1. Cut Phone Time
With phones being number one on my list of procrastination tools and the number one problem for so many others, limiting time on your phone can be really effective. Using my phone more than I should has caused late nights, procrastination, and nothing being done. For those of you that have the urge to check your phone every 5 minutes, there’s an easy solution. While studying for a midterm, I discovered a free app called ‘Flipd’ that is available in both the App Store and Play Store. This app locks certain apps for any amount of time, tracks your progress, and keeps you organized. This app has made a huge difference in my life, and prevents me from stalling from coursework.
2. Sleep More
Just like tip one, getting a good amount of sleep is important. Not getting enough sleep can lead to accidentally sleeping in on important days and even starting the day both stressed and rushed. Sleep can affect your mood for the rest of the day, too. A perfectly good day could be wasted as a result of what you did the day before. It’s also important to note that 7-9 hours is a healthy number when it comes to getting some rest.
3. Stay Active
If you’re like me, working out is not something to look forward to. But the truth is that staying active, even for 30 mins a day, makes a difference. Doing a few simple exercises or even walking around the neighborhood can also give you a break from school, work, and the stresses that life throws at us.
4. Eat and Drink Healthier
Tea and water are known to promote health and experts also say that consuming both is fine, but make sure it’s balanced out. Herbal teas like lemon, hibiscus, and ginger are also great at giving you the energy you need. Eating snacks high in energy like veggies, hummus, trail mix, and granola bars are also great alternatives when eating between meals.
5. Think Positively
Yes, the previous four points are great habits to have, but what’s most important is thinking positively in life. With all the due dates and deadlines flowing in our brains, stress is bound to be a common feeling. So, it’s essential to stay positive and optimistic about the future. Don’t dwell on the negative things; instead, focus on exciting upcoming events.
It’s easy to stray away from good habits when life gets hard because bad habits seem simpler and convenient. And although these tips can be difficult when trying them at first, it’s all about consistency in the end. All five of these suggestions are equally valuable when it comes to improving your lifestyle, but it’s not a guide that everyone has to follow. These recommendations can always be adjusted to fit a person’s preferences and, in the end, what’s most important is happiness and what one is comfortable with doing.