A Simple Guide to a Healthier Life

As a college student, living a healthy lifestyle isn’t as hard as some may think. We all get caught up in the mix of long nights, busy days filled with stress and managing a social life.

There are many excuses for students not to live a healthy lifestyle but there are also plenty of reasons why some do.

Not only does eating healthy and exercising make you feel better physically but it will boost your mentality as well.

As I was browsing online, I came across this article, 13 Mental Health Benefits of Exercise.
The article provided great insight on why being active is so important for living a happy and healthy life.

From my own experience, I have made a list of what you can do to stay healthy both mentally and physically.

1. Get enough sleep:

  • 7-9 hours is the average for college students

2. Manage your time wisely:

  • Make a to-do-list at the beginning of each day

  • Create a routine for each week to get homework done

  • Find your most productive time of the day (ex. morning vs. night)

3. Exercise:

  • Choose days during the week to go to the gym (or on a run, a hike, etc.)

  • Incorporate different workouts weekly (run, bike, weights, yoga, etc.)
Healthy Eating
Enjoy a meal at TBar! A fusion bowl filled with greens, brown rice and tofu. A delightful lunch filled with nutrients.
Photo Credit: Natalie Norris

4. Eat healthy:

  • Create a meal plan every week

  • Have 3-4 servings of fruits & veggies a day

  • Avoid snacking at night

  • Never skip breakfast: most important meal of the day

  • Always stay hydrated (8 glasses per day)

Of course, we all have those days when we don’t feel like doing anything but lounge on the couch.

Though these days are wonderful because everyone needs a break once in a while, consider doing yoga to relieve some stress. It is a great way to relax and be active at the same time.

There will always be alternatives to meals and workouts, all you have to do is make sure you find what will work best for you.

Check out Lauren Conrad’s blog for useful workout tips and simple, nutritious meals!

Have a Healthy Holiday

Remember that New Years resolution you made last December? Well, if you’re like the rest of America, it probably had something to do with losing weight or being healthy. Just because the year is almost over, there’s no excuse to forget your goals.

The holidays are an easy time to lose sight of the fact that although the delicious food will soon be gone, you’re stuck with the extra calories. Luckily there are multiple ways to enjoy those sweet, seasonal dishes without the guilt that tends to arrive shortly after.

Here are a few tips on how to stay healthy during the holidays:

1. Stuffing is something you do to a turkey, not your face.
Holiday food is delicious; there’s no denying that. Because of this, it is often difficult to stop eating because of the conflict between taste buds and stomach capacity. When you are full, put down the fork. Don’t eat until it hurts.

2. Keep your hands busy, not your mouth.
Holiday activities tend to be centered on food. Instead of decorating cookies or building gingerbread houses, try decorating stockings and ornaments, make red and green construction paper wreaths, put Christmas lights up outside or try making your own season’s greetings cards to give to friends, family and even professors. See if you can make better paper snowflakes than you could ten years ago. Pinterest is full of other great ideas!

Christmas ornaments
Photo credit: Joe Buckingham

3. Eat your calories, don’t drink them.
You might be surprised by how many calories are hidden in holiday drinks. If you really want to make your calories count, go for that slice of cheesecake but skip the Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte. Water isn’t hiding calories, so drink up!

More tips:
• Don’t go for seconds.
• Don’t linger by the appetizer table.
• Instead of driving your car to see Christmas lights, walk through the neighborhood with friends or family.
• Volunteer!
• 25 more ideas!

Enjoy the holidays. It’s okay to indulge in yummy food, but family and friends are a much more rewarding indulgence. Cheers!