How to Stay Healthy during the College Year
College can be a tough and stressful period for students, especially for those who have just breathed in a fragrant scent of independence. Overwhelmed by truckloads of assignments, responsibilities, and events, they often try to make time for everything at the expense of their healthy habits, which only worsens their concentration levels, productivity, and shakes their confidence.
Health is important, and no matter how busy you are as a student, there is no higher priority than this. When you’re healthy, you’re cheerful, approachable, and have more energy for studies and work. Besides, there are too many forces in the world that constantly challenge your immunity. Learning how to stay healthy in college – and developing a few valuable habits – can keep you safe from most sick leaves and let you live a normal college life instead of staying in bed.
Here is what you can do:
Regularly Wash Your Hands
From an early age, children learn about the importance of regularly washing their hands. And while we all know about fierce germs willing to invade our body, sometimes even adults forget about hand hygiene. Perhaps, their mind is too occupied by other thoughts. But most often, it’s just a matter of undeveloped habit.
If you’re one of the forgetters, it’s time to step on a healthier path. Start reminding yourself to wash your hands each time before mealtime, after you come back home, or hold some cash. It wouldn’t be odd to have antiseptic or antibacterial tissues with you to wipe your hands clean if there’s no access to soap and water. And most importantly, try to keep dirty hands away from your face and mouth. This way you’ll avoid face pimples and prevent worm eggs from getting inside of your body.
Take Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential for the human body; they ensure the strength of bones, skin elasticity, bolster the immune system, and participate in hundreds of other processes. Due to modern circumstances, however, many people can lack some vitamins or minerals, especially in cold seasons.
Deficit of vitamin D is the most common among residents of the Northern states. However, living in the South alone isn’t a guarantee of a healthy D level. Taking 2000 IU of the vitamin per day is considered safe for long-term use. However, make sure you consult your physician and do the necessary tests before you take any supplements.
Get Vaccinated
From infants to elderly people, anyone can get sick with cold and flu. And while some may easily overcome it, others suffer from heavy symptoms and consequences.
One of the best ways to protect yourself in the season is vaccination (https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/). NB: it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll never get sick, but that you’ll have mild and easy symptoms in case you do. On the negative side, the pathogens always mutate so it makes sense to get vaccinated against every new strain.
Spend More Time Outside
Most of their time students spend in dimly lit, damp classrooms, libraries, or in the four walls of their dorm rooms. This may lead to the lack of oxygen and vitamin D we’ve mentioned before.
On the other hand, being outside allows breathing fresh air, soaking in the energy of the sun, and enjoying the relaxing sound of tree leaves. The individuals who spend a lot of time in the fresh air report feeling more energetic and happy, less often suffer from anxiety and have a healthier skin color. Furthermore, a relaxed walk outside before bed fosters sounder sleep and morning vigor.
Add Some Physical Activity
People needing physical activity is nothing new but students should take it super seriously. As they spend most of the time in a sitting position, they may suffer from different negative consequences such as bad memory, headaches, back pains, lack of concentration, gaining weight, and up to severer medical conditions that include cardiovascular diseases.
In its turn, exercising helps to stay in shape, boosts metabolism, keeps muscles toned and vessels strong, let alone that it’s a huge source of happiness and cheerfulness. Most students report memory and concentration improvement after a couple of weeks of regular work-outs. Some even say it helps beat the blues.
And you don’t need to buy an expensive gym subscription to stay active. Be it a walk or a volleyball game with your friends, just choose something that invigorates you and make it regular.
Take it Easy
Your thoughts define your reality, so all the worries you have may damage your health. Failures are not the end of the world, while college doesn’t determine what kind of person or employee you will become – your future depends on every choice you make at every moment of your life.
Cut yourself some slack. Take it easy. Bear with yourself. Most of the issues can be solved by properly managing your time and delegating some part of your work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need assistance or some time to rest. Allow yourself to be a human now and then.
Learn to Recognize and Fight Stress
We all get stressed sometimes and it’s a normal part of human existence. Occasional stress helps us collect strengths to change something we’re uncomfortable with.
The danger lies in chronic stress when you feel tense all the time and do nothing about this. From simple muscle tension, this may lead to lots of more serious diseases, so it should be tracked and addressed.
If you feel overwhelmed and ground down, it’s high time you did something about it. Sports and exercising can be one way to fight stress. However, many individuals find salvation in enjoying their hobbies, spending more time with friends and family, or even taking power naps.
Don’t disregard psychological therapy either. “The best way to fight depression is to prevent it,” is sure Michael Millan, a consulting therapist, and Pro-papers expert. So if the tension gets too high, don’t hesitate to visit a professional. The sound mind and sound body are inseparable.