An all hours cafeteria, Netflix at your beck and call, busy classes; all reasons you may skip out on exercising and staying healthy this semester. New (School) Year resolutions are in now, and staying healthy this semester should be one of them. Here's 8 ways to actually succeed -
1. Research healthy snacks
The probability of you having a kitchen at your disposal depends on your year in school, but some snacks can be made so easily, you may not even need a kitchen. If you're in an apartment or house with a kitchen, though, you have more resources to keep your food on the healthy side.
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2. Invest some time in your school's gym
Don't worry, the jocks and bodybuilders have their own area with weights galore and all that scary equipment. The normal machines are frequently on the sides or, in my case, upstairs, where no harm or judgment can come to you. So put those fears of becoming the school's workout meme aside, others are in the same position as you.
3. Set a playlist
Last year, I set a playlist full of the songs that made me want to dance or run and put it on repeat every time I went to go workout (which was quite few and far in between...something I'm also trying to change). Having the songs that made me happy and gave me energy made working out easier and less horrid, for lack of a better term.
4. Buy a water bottle you actually like and take it everywhere
You can never drink too much water. (This is a figure of speech, please don't test this, you in fact can drink too much...) Carrying around a water bottle in your bag or with you out walking is one of the best decisions you make. Personally, it saved my life, August in Texas is basically Satan. The Swell bottles are super popular on my campus -
5. Sleep, actually sleep
I cannot stress this enough, this is something that I didn't do last year. Having a life is tons of fun, but you must remember to sleep. After a few months, I was averaging 5 hour nights and would almost go home after class and want to nap. Actually sleeping at night helps keep you awake during the day and actually affects your eating habits, something else that plays a key role in staying healthy this semester.
6. Keep your dorm/apartment/house clean
It's been proven if you keep your space clean, it keeps your thoughts in order and helps with your overall health. In my case, it's also helped keep me healthy because I'm constantly keeping the dust cleared and surfaces cleaned, which has helped my basic health.
7. Make sure your keeping up with your mental health too
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and both impact each other greatly. We need to stop putting such a negative connotation on the term 'mental health', everyone has to work to maintain their mental health, it doesn't simply point towards disease and problems. Make sure you're doing all you can to stay happy and healthy by surrounding yourself with a great support group of friends and family.
8. Love yourself
Most importantly, love yourself. The way you look is perfect, be comfortable in your own skin. Staying healthy doesn't have a shape or size, it is simply providing what is good for your body and reaping whatever benefits come of it.
