How to Stay Healthy at University

Adjusting to university life can take some time. You have a bunch of classes, a ton of work and a short amount of time to complete it. Since school work keeps you so busy, you may forget to pay attention to your body. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy at university.

Stock Your Room with Nutritious Goodies

Many university students savor the late-night snack and convenient to-go meal when they are up late finishing a paper. If you want to maintain your health and weight, too many of these delicious but unhealthy meals can be detrimental to your body.

Keep your home stocked with nutritious foods that are easy to prepare and store, such as potatoes, apples, nuts, canned soups, hummus, cereal, crackers, milk and carrot sticks. Having these foods available means that you do not have to spend extra money (or ingest extra calories) on take-out. Make sure you drink plenty of water as well; it gives you energy and keeps you functioning properly after all those hours of work.

Exercise Regularly                                            

It is important to exercise when you are at university. For students who do not participate in university sports, exercise may not be a part of your scheduled routine. Exercise does not have to mean going to the gym, though.

You can exercise in your room, between classes or late at night. Leave a few minutes early and take the long route to class. Ride your bike to class instead of walking for more cardio. Go for a swim in your spare time. Take a hike with friends.

Yes, you are burning calories as you complete your math homework, but getting physical exercise promotes cardiovascular health and helps alleviate stress. You will feel better, look great and have more energy throughout the day

Get Plenty of Rest

Between class, labs, homework, extracurricular activities and hanging out with your friends, you barely can find time to sleep. Instead of falling asleep on your books in the library on in front of your professor during a lecture, try and get your sleep when it counts. Sleep deprivation can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle and negatively affect attributes you need to succeed at university, such as memory, reaction time and cognitive function.

To make sure your mood and health are up to par, sleep about seven to nine hours every night. When you are bogged down with work and this amount of sleep is not feasible, take 30-minute naps between classes. Remember: A healthy body and mind will help you perform better at university and live longer.

Take Time for Yourself

Relieve some of your mental and physical stress by taking time for yourself. University can be exhausting. Take breaks while working to stretch or get fresh air. Wake up a few minutes earlier in the morning so you can relax rather than rush to class. Spend time with your friends on the weekend. Your health will appreciate it.

When you are moving into your new university home and getting ready to start classes, keep these tips in mind.