Five Tips for Healthy Living on Campus

The first few days of classes have come and gone, Mountain Day looms on the horizon, and many are settling down into a routine. For first-year students especially, being healthy on campus can be difficult. Here are five tips to help you live a healthier and better life on campus:

1. Find a way to exercise that you enjoy

Maybe you like running, or lifting weights. Maybe the idea of getting on a stairmaster gives you hives. Kendall has lots of options for ways to exercise that are fun and stress relieving, rather than tedious. Like to punch out your aggression? Try Kickboxing on Sundays at 5. Want something more relaxing? Restorative yoga is held every Wednesday at 4:30. The instructors are approachable and the atmosphere is very welcoming, plus you’ll also be familiar with where everything is in the gym once you start fulfilling your dreaded PE credits.

2. Learn to eat well for youThe most important thing about eating well in college is to listen to your body. Some general tips are ones you’ve probably heard a thousand times before- I certainly have because my mom is a personal trainer. “Whole grains, lean proteins, lots of fruits and vegetables,” she would advise. “Try to stay away from processed foods, and watch out for portion sizes.” Also, don’t be afraid of healthy fats, like olive oil and avocado (if you can find some). Make sure you’re hydrated, and most of all, eat in moderation. Sometimes you really need that chocolate, and that’s okay. Just don’t eat a chocolate chip muffin for breakfast every morning- besides being loaded with sugar, it will probably leave you feeling groggy and awful by lunch. 

3. Have fun! In moderation…Drinking is a huge part of college party culture, like it or not, and it is very likely you will come into contact with alcohol sometime during your college career. Go slow, hydrate, and never drink if you don’t want to. No one worth partying with will judge you for saying no.

4. Don’t fall into the trap of stress culture You’ll hear people complaining in their classes about how little sleep they got, how much work they had, and how stressed they are. It doesn’t mean you aren’t working hard enough if you got (a healthy) nine hours of sleep the night before. It means you might be a little less busy or even just better at managing your time. 

5. Remain connectedIt’s really hard to go to college, especially if you are thousands of miles away from friends and family. It’s okay to call your parents every day if you really need to. Just remember that emotional health is as important as physical health. There are so many ways to stay connected. Try joining a club or asking someone to get coffee with you. Talking to the person you sit next to in class could not only mean a potential new friendship, but may also present you with a study partner as well. It’s easy to shut yourself in, so try to force yourself out of your shell. Alternately, if you need more space, remember to take time to reflect and take care of yourself.

As we come to the end of the first quarter of the semester, I hope this advice is helpful to informing your choices for the rest of the year. Remember, self care comes in many forms, and all of them, including eating chocolate, are valid.

If you would like to write for Her Campus Mount Holyoke, or if you have any questions or comments for us, please email mt-holyoke@hercampus.com.

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