Student life isn’t particularly known for being the most healthy; for starters, you have the dreaded “Freshman fifteen,” and there are plenty of stereotypes of students chugging beer, getting little to no sleep, eating two-day-old pizza, and lots of ramen. With that said, these are all essentially stereotypes, and ideally, no student should actually live like this. Sure, in your early twenties, you feel absolutely invincible; it’s all going to come crashing down quickly if you live an unhealthy lifestyle. So, in what ways can you prioritise your mental well-being that doesn’t get in the way of having fun or even get in the way of your studies? Keep reading on to find out!
Start with More Sleep
Honestly, getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night is going to be one of the biggest game changers. Sure, while you could stay out late with friends and then get a couple of hours of shut-eye, why not instead just stay in so you can feel completely refreshed? Establishing a regular bedtime and ensuring you get adequate sleep each night is key to your success as a student.
Establishing a consistent sleep schedule can help you fall asleep more quickly, stay asleep longer and wake up refreshed, making it easier for you to focus on your studies. Moreover, sleep is critical for memory consolidation. Studies have shown that a good night’s rest strengthens memories and helps you remember what you’ve studied better. Overall, you just need it, and you’re doing yourself a major favor by doing this too.
Have Good Hygiene
This is fairly simple, but college students aren’t particularly known for having the best hygiene, however. So, make sure you wash your hands after every bathroom visit, clean and disinfect surfaces like your desk regularly, shower regularly, and so on. Also, make sure not to eat out of dirty dishes; this is the fastest way to give yourself food poisoning.
Exercise More
While walking to and from your classes can help you get a bit of exercise in your day, it’s honestly not going to be enough. College students have an abundance of activities and responsibilities, from classes to extracurriculars and work, to keeping up with their social life. And while it’s normal to feel busy, it’s important to prioritise your physical well-being as a student and make time for exercise. While working out isn’t particularly fun for everyone, most college campuses offer free gyms, so why not take advantage of this?
Get Regular Checkups
You should especially have your annual checkups, especially when you’re in college; the same goes for seeing a dentist. This may include very specific exams as well, such as a prostate cancer test for men. Overall, don’t skip out on those bi-yearly or annual tests because who knows what may be happening to your body.
Focus on Your Diet
While drinking beer and old leftovers can be fine, it’s only fine when it’s in moderation. So make sure you’re also consuming other things too, preferably something healthy such as whole foods. That phrase “you are what you eat” honestly carries a lot of meaning because if you’re eating junk, you’re going to feel like junk; it’s as simple as that. So make sure you try to primarily focus on eating healthier foods such as lettuce, low-fat yogurt, nuts, seeds, white meat, fish, etc.
