College is stressful. Between classes, studying, socializing, and trying to survive on your own, being a full-time student can be so overwhelming. There is immense pressure placed on students these days to get an internship, make the Dean’s List, join extracurriculars, etc. But at what cost? Our minds and bodies can only be pushed so far, and it’s important to prioritize your emotional and physical wellbeing in order to maximize your college performance and achievement. I’ve incorporated the following “healthy habits” into my life and found that even the slightest adjustments have given me more energy, motivation, and positivity to stay on the 24-hour college grind.
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1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
If it helps prevent nasty midday dehydration headaches, nourishes your skin, and reduces waste, why wouldn’t you invest in a nice and reusable water bottle? A general rule of thumb for hydration is to drink eight-ounce cups of water, or around 2 liters, a day. I recently bought the BKR 500mL “Little” bottle and can easily go through four refills a day. I personally recommend BKR bottles because they’re high-quality, durable, cute, and trendy! “Little” bottles retail for around $35 on the BKR website, but I managed to get mine on sale for $20 from Six02. If boujee bottles aren’t your style, any reusable water bottle is a worthy investment if it gets you to maintain a proper water intake, and save the environment from harmful plastic.
2. Download a fitness app
Ugh, working out? I get it. I’m probably the least athletic person you’ll ever know; I hate sweating and almost all physical exertion. While I am blessed to be naturally thin, I’ve been wanting to get toned and gain more muscle mass to elevate my physique. I’m a little self-conscious, so I’m not one to hit the gym, but I do exercise in my dorm room. I’m all about efficiency so I really don’t have more than half an hour to spare – this is where a fitness app is a perfect solution. I’m sure there are plenty of fitness apps on the market to date, but I have found that I like 8Fit the best. I’m able to track my weight and activity and have a full workout program available for my specific body type and goals. 8Fit creates HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) regimes that are 5-15 minutes in length and offers warm-ups/cool-downs. 8Fit also offers these perks: the app estimates how many calories you burned during each session; you can schedule your workouts and receive reminders; you don’t need any workout equipment, and it’s free! I try to exercise three days a week, but even once a week can help improve your body and mood.
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3. Let your mind and body recuperate
There are plenty of studies suggesting that college students should be getting at least eight hours of sleep every night. Eight hours is a great baseline, but of course, actual resting times vary by individual. And, hello, we’re college students with busy schedules! I try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night because I study until midnight and my alarm goes off at 7:00 AM. It may not be the ideal time for everyone, but I can function fine on this schedule. As long as you listen to your body, and give yourself a sufficient amount of time to regenerate and replenish your energy each night, you’ll be well-rested and ready to face each day head-on.
If there’s one lesson you should take away from this article, it’s that sacrificing your health and wellness to study 24/7 will only do more harm than good. I encourage you to try these “healthy habits” to not only increase but also maintain your academic performance and emotional stability. Whether you’re stuck in a rut and can’t find the motivation to make the most of your college experience, or stressed to the max and need the inspiration to take better care of yourself, these “healthy habits” are tried and true simple game-changers.