One of the most important things we learned from the coronavirus pandemic is the importance of self-care. According to a recent survey, two-thirds of college students understand the need for self-care. However, most have too many commitments to handle within a short period, making self-care and wellness seem less important.
In this context, self-care implies the ability of people and families to promote health, prevent disease, and sustain health. Self-care is important as it has been linked to better academic and health outcomes. Students who prioritize their well-being are less likely to get sick, enjoy better relationships, and benefit from improved academic performance. Here are some useful tips to help prioritize and improve your health.
- Eat Healthy Food
The saying that we are what we eat can never be more accurate than when in college. College students are often cash-strapped, meaning that every penny they spend counts. As they try to make sound financial decisions and keep up with the hectic nature of campus life, the importance of healthy meals tends to be ignored. However, evidence shows that what students eat affects their mental and physical health and social and academic performance.
Together with exercise, diet plays an important role in disease prevention and weight management. According to experts, students who eat healthy meals are better able to reduce their risk of diseases like obesity and hypertension. You don’t need an excessive budget to eat healthily. Creating a food budget and having a meal plan will help you monitor what you eat. Make sure to include fruits and vegetables in your diet.
- Exercise Regularly
The demand for exercise is self-explanatory, as evidence shows that students who maintain sedentary lifestyles tend to struggle with weight issues and obesity. Exercise helps you burn extra calories and remain in shape. In addition, exercise reduces the risk of several diseases and makes you look in shape. Understand that exercise does not have to be strenuous to be effective. Experts recommend creating a routine that includes thirty minutes of exercise daily. If you need to, buy cheap coursework online and create time for exercising.
- Prioritize Time Management
College is very hectic, and students must be organized to avoid stress and thrive. Understand that you will have multiple projects to complete at any time in college. There will also be personal responsibilities and familial duties demanding your attention. Students who get part-time jobs face the extra headache of juggling work and studies. To remain sane and succeed in college, you need to improve your organization skills and perfect time management.
Effective time management in college requires careful scheduling and planning. Create a to-do list to help you keep track of important projects. You also need to monitor your deadlines and exam dates. Don’t postpone getting started on projects. In other words, list what needs to be done and prioritize according to the level of urgency. Most importantly, avoid procrastination and eliminate distractions from your working space.
- Drink Lots of Water
Drinking water is good for your health and well-being. According to experts, water helps with weight management and gives students the energy to stay refreshed and active during busy days. Water is also good for your youthful skin and keeps your body hydrated and your metabolism working. Drinking water is also good for your mind and prevents overreliance on unhealthy snacks. On average, students need about eight glasses of water each day.
- Work on Your Support Systems
College can be stressful, and students need all the help they can get. Having people you can count on when facing challenges will improve your resilience and help you navigate those hard times. The point is that college is when many people need support and guidance. Evidence shows healthy and supportive relationships are linked to better physical and mental health. Work on creating friendships and maintaining existing ones.
- Make Sleep a Priority
College students tend to ignore the importance of sleep, mostly because they have too many things competing for their time. You may be tempted to postpone sleep preparing for that important exam. However, understand that evidence links sleep deprivation with poor academic performance. Missing sleep frequently reduces focus, impedes memory, and causes several health problems. You need at least eight hours of uninterrupted slumber at this stage.
This article summarizes a few tips to help students care for themselves and thrive on campus. College life may be busy, but you must still create time for exercise and friends. Eat healthy foods and keep your space neat and uncluttered. Most importantly, make sleep a priority.
