I have to preface this article with the fact that I am not a doctor, dietitian, therapist or trainer. However, I am a real, alive, college student and I’m somehow doing pretty okay with my health.
I want to get rid of the common misconceptions about what it means to be healthy. Healthy does not necessarily mean being thin. Every person has a unique definition of healthy that is perfect for them, so please, pretty please, do not base your definition off of others’. I’m here to help you find your definition.
I try to work out anywhere between three to five times a week. I found what times worked best for me, and I made a schedule that would allow me to fit in exercise without compromising school. Going to the gym for 45 minutes is not everyone’s cup of tea, but what’s important is that you’re moving. Even going for a walk around campus is good. If you don’t know where to begin, many colleges have exercise classes and athletic clubs. Test out and explore what type of exercise feels works for you.
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Now, let’s talk food. Many fad diets say to cut out entire food groups, like eliminating carbs or dairy. Unless you have a dietary restriction on a certain food group, you really do need to be getting nutrients from a variety of sources. Eating is about balance. There are some days when you want to devour an entire bag of chips or get a pizza all for yourself. This is absolutely okay. Instead, start small to see what works with you. I recommend choosing one meal a day to make healthy. This is a good way to introduce dietary changes to your body. You will know when you find food that energizes you. As with exercise, you have to put in some work to identify which food options are right for your lifestyle and your body.
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Let’s not forget drinks. I’m not saying to swear off soda, but again, drink it in moderation. A lot of sodas contain insane amounts of sugar and you really don’t want to get all of your energy from a soft drink. I actually really like water (I realize now how silly that is to actually write, but please forgive me). However, a lot of my friends who hold plain water in lesser esteem than I like to drink tea or flavored water. Â
We also have to talk about sleep. Your brain needs time to go over the day, process what you learned and get you ready for your next adventure. We are college students trying to get degrees while balancing social lives and extracurriculars! We need the rest. Also, try not to use your phone once you get in bed to go to sleep. We are all guilty of ‘insta’ scrolling for hours before closing our eyes, but staring at a phone screen impairs your body’s ability to produce melatonin.
One final thing. Take care of yourself mentally, too. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health; the two are intertwined. Staying in shape makes me feel so much better mentally than when I don’t take care of myself.
It’s the little changes like putting your phone away or adjusting one meal a day that ends up making a big impact on your health. You do have to put in the work because, as I’ve said before, there is no magic spell to automatically make you feel good. You have to find what works for you and only you. Yes, it’s hard, but I believe in you. You can do it. You’ve only got one body, so you should take care of it.
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