Hey there, collegiette! Have you ever stopped and looked at yourself in the mirror and thought, “Ugh, my skin is breaking out,” or, “How the heck am I ever going to lose these extra pounds?” Well, I’m here to help you! Keep reading to learn about some of my ideas to help you feel great about yourself, whether you’re on campus or on break.
1. Hydrate your body!
I know, I know. You’ve heard it before from everyone (parents, doctors, etc.). It’s a simple fact: you have to drink water every day! I understand the struggle of wanting juice, soda and other sweet beverages—and it’s still okay to drink those things. However, if you tend to break out, have trouble sleeping, or even just need more energy, your body actually probably just needs some more water. Try to take a bottle with you to your classes or drink a cup or two at lunch and dinner. Something small like this can have so many healthy benefits.
2. Hit the gym!
Ask yourself this question: “Do I have a spare 45 minutes today?” If the answer is yes, get your butt up and head to your campus gym! Our Wellness Center is open until 10 p.m., so there is absolutely no excuse for missing a workout day unless you have classes that late in the evening. Even if all you can do is walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes or do 10 sit-ups, I’m proud of you—and you’re doing better than the rest of those guys and girls who don’t go near the gym! Plus, going to the gym is like an instant confidence boost. If you’re too scared to go by yourself, ask a friend! Regardless of how you do it, you will feel great about yourself, you’ll sleep better, and you’ll burn that fat you want to get rid of!
3. Snack during the day.
One of the biggest challenges I face on a day-to-day basis is running out of energy and constantly feeling like I need a nap. Eating three meals a day doesn’t cut it for me because I need to keep nourishing my metabolism. Eating smaller snacks in between your meals will give you extra energy and is also tied to weight loss, because the faster your metabolism is working, the more body fat you can burn during daily tasks. Some snack ideas include yogurt, granola bars, popcorn and nuts.
4. Go to sleep before midnight.
This one speaks for itself. I know it can be hard to conk out without finishing your homework, but I recommend this for days especially when you have a quiz or exam the next day. Getting more than seven hours of sleep will help you focus, give you more energy, and also keep your skin looking bright and beautiful!
5. Vitamin C
During the months of the autumn season, people tend to get sick. It’s a sad fact that you can, however, avoid. Taking vitamin C supplements daily will boost your immune system and help you fight campus germs—because if you think about it, sometimes you touch things that everyone else on campus touches. Isn’t that nasty?
6. Tea
This is a nice addition to your liquid intake; the antioxidants in tea are extremely beneficial, especially at this point in our lives. Our skin and mind are constantly craving nutrients to fight germs and soothe our energy spikes. Adding honey to a hot cup of tea is great for sore throats, too.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be feeling like your old self in no time!