There can’t be a conversation about women’s health without mentioning body image issues. In today’s day and age, women are, to my dismay, still faced with expectations of how our bodies should appear, and feel pressure to confine to these expectations. This pressure can negatively impact both mental and physical wellbeing. As a female student in college, here’s some intellect I’ve gathered on how to stay physically and mentally healthy at school, and how I personally deal with body image issues.
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Create a meal schedule: There’s so much going on in college that it’s easy to forget how much you are eating or whether or not you are getting enough nutrients into your body. You may be eating significantly under your normal calorie intake without noticing. A meal schedule can help solve those problems, because you can keep track of all the calories, proteins, carbs, fats, and vitamins. It provides an easy way to make sure you are giving your body enough and the right types of fuel.
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Work Out: I don’t mean this in a you-need-to-make-sure-you-don’t-gain-weight type of way. Working out keeps your body strong and has many other health benefits, including better rest and happier moods. Not all, but many colleges have amazing gyms with free access for students that would cost hundreds of dollars for a membership elsewhere. Be sure to take advantage of these perks. You can also walk or bike to classes to get your exercise in.
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Invest in a good water bottle: It is very important that you stay hydrated, especially at college. Most of the times you will be running back and forth between classes, meetings, or different events, and you may not always have guaranteed access to a water fountain. Moving a lot also dehydrates your body. This is why investing in a good water bottle is a smart idea. Other than the obvious reasons to drink water, it can also help cleanse your body and help flush out toxins.
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Stop comparing yourself to others: Different people’s bodies are built in very different ways. You can be the same weight as someone else but look completely different. One person can look “fit” but in fact be unhealthy or vice versa. It’s not your weight or appearance that matters but what you do to contribute to your overall health. Focus on your health, and not how you physically compare to others.
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Pamper yourself: Be sure to treat your body to what it deserves. Do facials. Get spa treatments. Invest in good skincare products. If you have a bathtub, use bath bombs! Dress up occasionally. Get manicures and pedicures. If you want and are comfortable with it, wear some makeup to class! By showing your body love, you’ll naturally start loving it more.