Staying Healthy in College

Parents of college going students, often insist their children on staying healthy in college, as they are not going to be around to take care. Students are on their own for the first time and have to manage everything from food to sleep by themselves. There is a new found sense of freedom, and at the same time the burden of an added responsibility of doing well academically by managing everything on their own. Health plays a very important role in any student's college life, as proper healthy is what's required for a student to perform well.

Food and Drink
Some healthy eating tips for college students are mentioned below:

• The first thing in the morning, you should do is eat a full and healthy breakfast. Breakfast is considered to be the most important meal of the day and having a proper breakfast can compensate for any inadequate or untimely meals later.
• Instead of keeping wafers or other fried and packaged munchies in the room, it is better to keep nutritious food like fruits along with other healthy foods.
• Junk food is a popular choice among students who do not have time to spare for a proper meal, and are always on the run. Eating junk food is fine once in a while, but do not make it a regular habit.
• Skipping meals should be avoided. If there is time crunch, eat a quick, light meal, so that the body does not run out of energy to survive the whole day.
• Overeating can be a result of the college cafeteria serving a variety of foodstuff which most people like. Eat in moderation to avoid overeating, and vary meals everyday, so that the body gets proper nutrition.
• Consuming lots of water helps in preventing any overeating and it also increases concentration. It also helps in keeping the body hydrated. Keeping a bottle of water in the bag is always a good option.
• College students party a lot and invariably drink a lot. If you drink, make sure that you drink moderately, so that the calorie intake is kept at a minimum and certain negative effects like hangovers are avoided.
• Drinking healthy juice is also recommended over colas, as juices, apart from being nutritious also contain less calories compared to cola.
• Indulging in food which cannot be eaten everyday once in a while is not a bad thing, as it helps in keeping the craving for favorite foodstuff at bay.
• In case of any serious eating disorders, consult a doctor or dietitian in or around the campus.

Fitness
Let us now take a look at some more ways to stay fit in college:

• Doing a few simple exercises like push-ups or crunches every morning, is a great way to start the day and also to maintain fitness levels.
• Walking around the campus for going to classes and even taking the stairs is a good way to exercise feet muscles.
• Colleges provide students with free gym facility. Make use of this and try to make sure that you have a workout daily by taking some time off your regular activities. Read about a few more fitness tips.
• Taking up a sport and playing it regularly is a great way to maintain optimum fitness levels. Playing sports also help in making new friends and create a sense of bonding with them.
• Biking around the campus is also a great option for people who dislike walking, as it is one of the best exercises to improve overall body fitness.

Sleep
Let us now take a look at a few tips to get proper sleep while in college:

• Different people have different sleep requirements. However, 7 - 9 hours of uninterrupted night sleep is what should be ideal for college students. If not possible everyday, it should be done for sure on whichever days it's possible.
• A short nap during the day is good and should be taken, as it can work wonders with the energy levels of the body.
• If possible, stick to a proper daily schedule, at least when it comes to sleeping hours, so that the body gets adequate rest.
• Roommates often, knowingly or unknowingly, interrupt sleeping hours. Inform them on the sleeping hours and if possible pick roommates with similar sleeping habits.
• Avoid staying up all night for whatever reason. Lack of proper sleep may have an adverse effect on your health and also may make you disoriented in class.

Stress Management
Stress is a kind of mental illness which should be avoided. A few ways to fight stress during college years have been listed below:

• Stress affects an individual when he is overburdened with mental processes. Taking out time from the daily routine and doing anything apart from college work should go a long way in relieving stress.
• Maintain a daily schedule, which has a balance of work and fun, so that the mind gets some rest.
• There might be a few occasions, especially while preparing for exams, that the stress levels go high due to anxiety. Take a short break within your studies, so as to divert your attention and in the process relieve stress.
• A lot of college campuses have few meditation and yoga programs, which help in relaxation. Keep an eye out for those and make good use of them.
• Hanging out with friends is a great stress buster. Pursuing certain hobbies like painting, writing poetry or playing video games can also relieve stress.
• In case problems related to stress persist for a long time and as a result reflect on the scores, try seeking professional help from counselors and professors.

Keeping fit in college takes nothing more than some self-discipline. The sooner students understand that, the better it is for them. Make the most of your time in college to inculcate good habits and make good friends, as they stay with an individual throughout life. And of course, study well!