This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CSU East Bay chapter.

1. Get into a routine

Getting into a daily routine can benefit our mental and physical health. Having a routine will help manage everything that is going on in your life and knowing that after a hectic school or work day, you will have time to relax and decompress. While creating your routine, make sure to prioritize self-care and good habits. For example, set a bedtime, take a moment to read things that interest you, take care of your skin, exercise, set weekly goals, or anything else that is important to you. Once you stay consistent with your routine, it will be easy to stay in rhythm because it will become part of your normal life.

2. Plan your meals ahead

It’s 6 p.m and you just got home from a long day. You are hungry and there’s nothing in the fridge that looks edible, so you opt to have some quick not-so-healthy takeout meal — we’ve all been there. When you meal prep or plan your meals ahead, you will get to save money, potentially save time, and be more mindful of your physical health.

3. Move more throughout your day.

Walking keeps you healthy and we can easily incorporate it in our everyday activities. An easy way to get more steps in regularly is to park as far away as you can when you go to the office, the store, the gym, school, etc. If you want to get your heart rate up with more frequency then ditch the elevator and always choose the stairs, even if it’s just one floor. Lastly, during your study or work break, try to go outside for a walk as this will get you more steps while you will also replenish your energy levels.

4. Drink more water

Oh dear H2O… our bodies depend on precious water to survive and cannot go without for more than a few days. Water has numerous benefits, for example, it’s good for our skin, it regulates our body temperature, it flushes toxins and other impurities out of our body, and supports digestion among others. If you want to drink more water, invest in a large reusable bottle or canteen that you can carry at all times. Then try committing some time having a few sips every hour. This can have positive health effects that can help counteract diseases like diabetes.

5. Get regular doctor’s checkups

I can’t stress enough how important annual check-ups are for a healthy life. Staying on top of yearly doctor visits is vital as they will be able to detect health conditions early and get you treatment or advice if needed. Also, as women we have to be extra careful and always be on top of our breast and cervical cancer screenings.

6. Exercise

Physical activity has multiple benefits like releasing natural endorphins creating positive thinking in the brain, and reduces the risk of chronic physical diseases. The best way to consistently exercise is to find a type of workout that you love. If you enjoy dancing then give Zumba classes a go. In love with nature? Go on a hike every weekend. Are you into mind and body practices? Join a yoga class. Want to feel strong? Try weightlifting. Are you a team player? Join a sports team. Once you find a type of physical activity that you love, exercise will become a part of your life.

7. Get enough sleep

As college students, we often tend to neglect sleep and rely on caffeine to make it throughout our day. But getting enough rest each night is crucial as it improves our concentration and productivity. In addition, when we sleep our body recovers and heals itself, our energy is restored, and essential growth hormones get released.

8. Smart food swaps

Avoid empty calories that have almost zero nutritional value and swap it for whole foods that will keep you healthy. A few examples and tips are:

Instead of munching on a bag of skittles or dry fruit, try having fresh fruit as it will fill you up faster.
Instead of buying a bag of chips, get some nuts. They are high in nutrients and antioxidants.
Avoid sodas and energy drinks as these have a high amount of sugar, instead try iced tea and fruit infused water.
Swap ice cream for your favorite sorbet
Look for a milk alternative you enjoy the most such as soy milk, almond milk or coconut milk.

These small changes in your diet can benefit you long-term and you will be healthier than ever before.

Eight Tips for a Healthier Lifestyle