Making healthy habits right now can actually lead to a commitment that’s lifelong to realizing your best self. Even though this journey always has high points and low points, there are quite a few things that you can do if you’d like to experience more of the highs than the lows. Here’s a quick look at some things you can do to stay healthy while you’re in college and throughout your adult life.
Keep Your Body Clean
This goes beyond just good hygiene. It’s easy to give in to the peer pressure and begin heavily drinking or even taking pills so that you can stay awake to get all of your studying done. That can lead to lifelong problems though. If this sounds familiar, getting substance abuse treatment is the best thing you can do. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Keep Your Living Space Clean
Regularly cleaning your living space is always a good habit to get yourself into. Those little things like cleaning the computer mouse, keyboards, doorknobs, and surfaces can really go a long way in terms of making sure you have a sanitary living space. Also, be sure to regularly clean your bed sheets and bathrooms.
During cooler months, windows and doors tend to be kept shut and this can lead to poor air circulation, which means that more dander, dust, and other particles that can induce sneezes will be inside. It might seem foolish to waste your hard to come by money on things like a vacuum cleaner and cleaning supplies, but these are necessary and can work wonders when it comes to keeping you healthy.
Sleep
The quality of the sleep you get has a massive impact on your life. From stress levels and blood pressure to mental clarity and overall immunity, sleep is a critical aspect of remaining healthy when you’re in college.
If you find that you’re having trouble getting to sleep at night, try staying active throughout your day. Do things such as playing a sport or walking. You might also try turning all of your screens off before heading to bed. Try to avoid caffeine and other types of stimulants during the evening. It’s simply a matter of knowing when to checkout and unplug.
Stay Active
If you haven’t already made regular exercise a big aspect of your day-to-day life, now is the time to do it. Sweating, exerting your muscles, deep breathing, and movement and each of the other spectacular things that go hand in hand with physical exertion can lead to your life being profoundly enhanced.
Keeping active and exercising, no matter if it’s in the form of cardio or strength training, can have a positive influence on the quality of your sleep and also on your cognitive performance. Additionally, it can lead you to make positive changes in other aspects of your life, such as being more in tune with your body, the amount of water you drink, and even in your diet. On top of all of that, getting regular exercise is good for your overall immune system.
Diet
In spite of its seeming obviousness, the importance of nutrition and diet can’t be overemphasized when it comes to maintaining your health. With nearly every meal, students in college have the opportunity to choose whatever they would like to eat. Like exercise and sleep, nutrition and diet will have a part in dictating overall immunity, physical wellbeing, and cognitive performance.
Adopting eating habits that are healthy requires decision-making that’s mindful, being creative, and committing to it. Pizza might be more appetizing than salad, but it gives you more color, flavor, creativity, and variety. Avoiding processed foods such as fries, burgers, and pizzas will leave you with more energy and feeling both lighter and cleaner.
Attending college is one of those significant stages in life where there’s a lot of decision-making to be done. The choices you’ll make and whatever habits you cultivate during this period of your life will have quite a bit of influence on the person you eventually evolve into. Adopting good habits so you can remain healthy will be good for you both while you’re in college and in your entire adult life.
