Due dates for your first papers are creeping up on you, and if you haven’t taken your first exams in your classes yet, well, I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you that they are right around the corner. School, your job, your social life, I get it, you’re busy; but despite everything that you have on your plate you have to remember to take care of yourself. If you aren’t eating right, getting a decent amount of exercise, and getting the amount of sleep that you need, things can easily start to fall apart and life can get way more stressful than it has to be. On a busy schedule, it can seem tough to do all of the things that you know you should do to stay healthy. However, not only is it doable, it’s rather simple, at times, even enjoyable.
First, you must get your eating habits in order. Skipping breakfast is easy. Fast food for lunch is, well, fast, and dinner? I guess fast food makes a quick dinner too, but in no way is it the type of sustenance that is going to help get you through your day, let alone be the fuel your brain needs to pass that exam. Instead, put that bridge card to good use and buy yourself some healthy options for quick breakfasts, packed lunches, and simple easy dinners.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It’s been said so many times, but it’s true. You’ve been asleep for what, eight, six, maybe four hours (this we’ll address shortly) and now that you’re up getting ready for your day, you need to fuel your body. Cereal is always a quick 5 minute breakfast option, and if you eat the whole grain kind it can be exactly what your body needs, but if you have to run then grab something for the road. Instead of drive-through breakfasts, throw some orange juice in your thermos, grab an apple and a breakfast bar and you’re set.
For lunch, if you’re rushed in the mornings then take 10 minutes the night before and pack an ever reliable PB&J, a baggie of crackers, and a few of those yummy little oranges. If you want to switch up the PB&J lunch, then dinner leftovers are perfect. Quick dinners are easy and if made in large quantities they’ll fill that need for other options for your packed lunches. Granted those “healthy” options of frozen dinners are nice on a busy night and aren’t so bad health-wise; but, if you can take one or two nights out of your week to actually prepare something then you will be on the right track.
Crock-pots are a godsend, and pasta and random veggies are amazing and can be turned into a very fast and nutritious meal. My personal favorite, boxed couscous can be a quick $3.00 dinner as well. All of these can be made in multiple servings and refrigerated for lunch or for the next day’s dinner. All you have to do is work a little bit at getting into the habit of doing all of this and WHAM! Your nutritious eating problems are fixed!
Another habit that takes a little bit of work to develop is getting your daily dose of exercise. On a busy schedule it may seem impossible, but if you can find ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, then you’re set. Walking or biking to and from work or school is an obvious and easy way to get some exercise into your day. It may make your commute time a bit longer, but if you are counting it as your cardio then it actually ends up saving you time. If you absolutely have to drive to your destination, then just park farther away and walk to where you’re going, and make certain to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Little steps like this can add up quickly. Once you get into the groove of making exercise part of your daily routine, then it’s time to get yourself to the amazing recreation center that Western Michigan makes available to you. Your tuition money basically includes a free gym membership, so why not take advantage of this incredible facility on campus and in between classes or before you go home for the day just run the track, or hit the elliptical for a half hour. Give yourself a week and you’ll notice your energy level will increase, your ability to concentrate will improve, and you’ll just plain feel better and be more productive.
Of course you can’t even fathom having the energy to fit exercise into your schedule if you don’t get the amount of rest that you need. The average person should get about eight hours of sleep each night. This fact is well known, but as a college student that’s tough. Your social life, school-work, and just work in general can make getting enough sleep almost impossible at times. This step in being healthy is where I personally have problems. It can take a lot of will power to climb into bed early enough to get the right amount of sleep that you need in order to feel completely refreshed, energized, and ready to go when you wake up, but if you can get into the habit, or at least make a point to get a full night’s rest at least a few nights a week, then you’ll notice the amazing impact it has on everything you do, from the moment you wake up to the time you crawl back into bed.
I share this information with you not because I don’t think that you might not already know it, I’m sure you do, but because I feel like it’s nice to get a little motivation kick every once in awhile. I’ve always been aware of my own nutrition, and have been trying to improve my sleeping habits, but just last week my boyfriend threw some motivation my way in terms of getting my butt to the gym. Though I’ve always made exercise part of my daily routine by biking to school, lifting weights and doing sit-ups while I watch television, and doing short yoga routines when time permits, I have to admit that after day one of working up a sweat at the gym on campus and actually having a scheduled cardio work-out, I noticed that not only was I not procrastinating as much with school work, but I was starting to schedule my days better. I feel more awake and focused and like I have had the most productive week so far this semester. If my words have done anything besides take up space, I hope they have helped to encourage you to take action at improving your quality of life. Even just a tiny change in lifestyle will greatly improve everything you do.