The ultimate guide to maintaining a healthy lifestyle in college
You guys, I would first like to say that yes, that is a gob (whoopie pie for you New Englanders) in my hands. And yes. Yes, I am talking about healthy lifestyles in this post- while holding a gob. I did this on purpose. And I did this on purpose because I think all of these crazy health obsessions and trends that are so strict can be unhealthy- especially for a stressed out, busy college gal. And if you’re a busy college gal, sometimes you just gotta eat a gob and treat yourself. That is all. Rant is over. Now here is my post 🙂
Having the freedom that you have in college can be exhilarating- but can also end up taking a toll on your health due to all of the long study nights, long weekend nights, and cafeteria food. Life as a college student can add stress to your body if you don’t prioritize yourself! Below are some of my thoughts on how you can have a happy and healthy lifestyle while maintaining your busy/crazy/hectic college life.
Keep (healthy) snacks in your room.
Walking to the cafeteria anytime you want something is annoying. And it can be tempting when you have nothing in your dorm to just run to the snack machine and get some Cheetos or something… But don’t! Be prepared. Get healthy snack food that you actually like for when you are getting snack cravings.
My fav go-to snacks:
- Quaker rice cakes (cheddar is the best)
- GoGo Squeeze apple sauce
- KIND chocolate peanut butter granola bars
Nalgenes are your best friend.
Staying hydrated all day is key! Nalgenes are perfect because they show you exactly how much water you have had to drink- and you should aim for about two Nalgenes full of water every single day. Staying hydrated keeps your body energized and also prevents you from overeating.
Prioritize your sleep schedule.
Not an easy task at all when you have 3 papers to write, 6 readings, and 50935 worksheets to complete before tomorrow but sleep is just as important as school work- because eventually sleep deprivation will take a toll on your body. So this means prioritizing your work schedule as well. Make a goal time to get all of your homework done by- this way you have time for yourself, time to unwind, and SLEEP.
Find something active that you (actually) like.
Working out doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym if you aren’t a gym person. Get creative and have fun. I think having some kind of physical activity to do a few times a week not only keeps you in shape but also makes you happier!
some ideas if you aren’t a gym person:
- explore new parks/ nature areas and go for walks with friends
- yoga (also very helpful for relieving stress)
- join a club sport
- take advantage of workout classes that your school offers!
- learn how to do an outdoor sport such as skateboarding, skiing, surfing, etc
Try using a fitness tracker.
Even if you don’t use it all of the time, Fitbits are really nice because they map out your walks/runs/hikes that you do, count your steps, have a silent alarm, and track your sleep. These specs can be super helpful for when you are just getting back into the swing of things at school- and all of the time.
Look at the cafeteria menu ahead of time.
Looking at the menu ahead of time can give you an idea of how you can get creative with your healthy choices- so you don’t just eat a boring salad every day. Also, do.not.skip.meals. Having an irregular eating schedule messes up your metabolism. So no, skipping breakfast will not help you lose lbs but instead do the exact opposite. Eek!
If you aren’t on a sports team, find a (motivated) workout partner.
Having a buddy to workout with helps motivate you to stick with it! And makes it much more fun!
Nix the late night snacking! (most of the time).
No one is perfect. And if you are really craving a pizza delivery to save you for a little bit while having a late night doing work, DO IT. But keep it to a minimum. Orrr, stick to something a little bit on the healthier side. But sometimes you just gotta listen to your cravings. Just remember that staying healthy doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself.
Take breaks and de-stress.
Give yourself a break when you need it. Whether it is a twenty-minute nap, dancing in your room to your favorite playlist, or a walk- DO IT. Take breaks. Stress leads to many physical and mental downsides. Taking time for yourself and your favorite things will make you feel much much better when you are overwhelmed and busy.
Avoid the college plague. At all costs.
Here me out guys- College is great… But college plagues are not. Once one person gets sick, it often becomes an epidemic. And often freshmen year is the worst because you are in a new environment.
Some supplements for boosting your immune system:
- Vitamin c supplements: Unless you know that you can get enough Vitamin C in your daily diet, I recommend you do your body a favor and help it out with some C!
- Green tea: Along with vitamin C, I take green tea supplements. All of those antioxidants go a long way to stregthen your immune system.
- Take greens! I don’t think you can really overdo it with eating greens-especially when you are limited to the types of veggies in your school cafeteria. Taking a daily capsule of greens or powder to put in a shake in the morning can do wonders for your health. I take Super Greens by Country Farms. It is pretty affordable and you can get it easily at Walmart or a Pharmacy.
If you really want to maintain a healthy lifestyle while being a busy college student, the best thing you can do is care for yourself (including your happiness, sleep schedule, diet, and exercise plan) no matter how hectic it gets. While it looks like a lot when it is written out, doing little things for yourself every day will make a noticeable difference in your busy life.
