As you get older and become more autonomous, your health becomes something you actively have to manage. Chances are your mom isn’t readily available to take care of you anymore, and you’ll have to struggle on your own while also dealing with school, work, and a social life. However, managing your health doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive, and most of the best things you can do for yourself are actually free! Here are a few tips for staying healthy

Get 7 ½ - 9 hours of sleep a night

I know you’re thinking, ‘Yeah, right, college is all about how late I can stay up and how little sleep I can get while still functioning’ but sleep is one of the issues college students struggle with most. We’re very busy people, but sleep is essential to having a good memory and healing your body. Make sleep a priority and get those hours in!

Drink Water

This is so obvious, yet many people go through their day without meeting their proper water intake levels. Water refreshes your cells, helps cleanse your body of excess salts and minerals, and is necessary for your body to function properly. Being dehydrated is awful, so drink about half your weight in ounces on the daily. To start your day off right, jumpstart your metabolism by having a glass of water first thing in the morning, and then a glass before every meal.

Don’t drink your calories

One of the easiest ways to consume fats, sugar, and calories is through delicious beverages. You should pay attention to how much milk, juice, soda, and alcohol you drink, especially if you’re interested in losing weight, because often times those are just extra calories you don’t need. For instance, if you drink 2 glasses of milk and a glass of orange juice every day, plus one bottle of wine per week, you could amass over 40 theoretical pounds in a year, just from beverages! Do your body a favor and save the drinks for special occasions.

Be active

Exercise is an important part of being healthy. It’s recommended we get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. If going to the gym or planning an exercise routine isn’t your style, you can go for a walk or bike ride. Play with your dog or run around with the kids you babysit. Shoot hoops or join a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Go out dancing with your friends or take up a yoga class. It’s important to find activities you like that will get you moving and keep you fit!

Wash your hands

This is by far the best way to prevent the spread of sickness. Our hands touch a lot of things during a normal day: money, phones, door knobs, steering wheels, railings, keyboards, etc. All of these places are teeming with bacteria and germs. Then, when you rub your eyes or lick your fingers or touch your face in general, they have the opportunity to get inside you and make you feel like crap. Always wash your hands before touching your face or eating, and always wash them after touching any of those vectors and surfaces.