Five Things Students Can Do to Stay Healthy
Have you ever started off a semester by making a goal that you would go workout every day, even if it was for 15 minutes? I sure have. In the first few weeks, when homework is light, I make it to the gym daily. My goal starts to slip through my fingers when the first set of exams rolls around. This is also the time when the unhealthy eating begins. I look for things that are convenient so I can focus a majority of my time on studying. However, when it comes to health, there are two important thing you need to keep in mind: nutritional and physical. This last semester, I have made significant progress in keeping my goal of being healthy, and I want to share some tips I have learned.
Make a schedule
I started to make a strict schedule that would detail everything I need to do per day and week. With all this laid out, I knew what I needed to be doing at every moment of the day. I would start the week off by going to get groceries on Sunday morning. This allowed me to carry out my next tip.
Prep your food for the week
Meal prepping can be hard at times but think of it as saving you loads of time throughout the week. One of my favorite things to do is prep and marinate several chicken breasts at once and then freeze individual servings in plastic bags. When I’m hungry and in a hurry I can simply dump out a bag and toss a serving into the oven to cook while I focus on my school work. I also prep snacks to take to campus. They’ll hold me over until I can make it home for lunch. There are always options on campus that aren’t the healthiest, so this really helps curb any temptations I may have. I also carry a water bottle around so I can stay hydrated throughout the day. I even use an app to remind me when to drink water.
Make exercise part of your schedule
I try to go to the gym on my way home from class. If I go home and sit on my couch, it will be tough to motivate myself to come back to the campus gym. As students, we have access to amazing fitness facilities and classes. Most people do not want to workout towards the end of the day, so you will most likely find an empty gym in which you can feel comfortable working out at your own pace.
Work out at home
On the days I cannot make it to the gym, I use a high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout video. This is super simple, and it requires little to no equipment. These videos that are available online are so incredible that they even provide substitutes for equipment. For example, if you do not have three-pound hand weights, you can easily use two water bottles.
Reward yourself
There is nothing wrong with having a cheat meal when you feel the need. At the end of the day, you need to think of this as a lifestyle change instead of something you must do and feel forced to do. I have days that aren’t the healthiest, but I don’t give up there. Even one small change such as drinking more water or taking the stairs to class are changes that can make a difference. If you have a mindset and are true to it, you will be successful!
How do you stay healthy throughout the semester? What healthy habits to you incorporate into your daily schedule? Share your thoughts with students by commenting below!