Top Ten Ways To Live Healthy

For many college students, the last concern they have is about the food they put into their body or the amount of cardio they achieve each week. Yet, as proven through numerous health studies, eating healthy and exercising regularly can lessen stress and help students do better in class.

1. Quit sacrificing meals for quick snacks. Make time to eat wholesome meals. Too often college students substitute fatty snacks, such as chips or popcorn, for an actual meal. Eating three balanced meals per day, plus healthier snacks, keeps you energized and your metabolism active. When you do snack, choose fruit and granola over sugar and caffeine.

2. On weekends when many students tend to eat at least one meal out at a restaurant, it is important to choose appropriate portion sizes. Since you are out on the town you may not recognize how much food you are actually eating. Think ahead to order smaller meals you can finish or plan to take food home.

3. Water, water and more water. Drink at least eight glasses daily to keep your body hydrated. Your organs operate smoother, and it is proven to help your skin!

4. Choose the inconvenient path on the way to class and around town. Park in the last spot to walk farther. Those spurts of effort can add up and be beneficial in keeping your body actively fit.

5. Eat foods with calcium and fiber. Vitamins are important to maintain a high immune system. Building up calcium now can prevent osteoporosis later.

6. Take advantage of the Wellness Depot for exercising – after all, you pay to use it! Pick up the monthly aerobic schedule from the depot to take morning or night classes. Sign up for intramurals for a fun way to exercise with friends.

7. You need sleep. Believe it or not, college students need to get an average of eight hours a night. According to a Stanford University study, students have pushed down sleeping to six hours, causing academics to suffer as well as memory loss.

8. For late night hunger, don’t turn to pizza or fast food. Keep some of these healthy snacks in your room: string cheese, yogurt cups, smoothies, baby carrots or low-fat milk.

9. If you need to lose weight, do it sensibly. Sign up for a personal trainer through the Wellness Depot to help encourage and advise you. Starvation and diets can offer a quick fix but often not a lasting solution.

10. Find time for a mental break. Being healthy is not all about being physically fit. It’s also about staying mentally strong. Take some time to relax. Have some quiet time to clear your thoughts whether that be by listening to music or taking a walk.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 6 2009. Filed under Spotlight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry