When you’re going to university for the first time, or returning to university, it can be difficult getting everything in order in your life, not to mention trying to be healthy on top of everything. The good news is that while passing your exams and picking your classes is all up to you, we can help you avoid the freshman 15 and stay healthy in university.
Develop healthy eating habits
No matter what time you wake up, early morning or lunchtime, begin each day with a good healthy breakfast which includes high fibre starch, lean protein, or healthy fats. There are some good recipes here that you can check out for inspiration.
Having a good breakfast will kick start your metabolism, keep your blood sugar levels stable, control your hunger, and give you the energy you need for the day. So many studies have shown that eating a healthy breakfast leads to higher grades for students. Penelope Harrison, a nutrition blogger at Academized and Big Assignments, suggests that “even if you’re running low on time, keep healthy foods in your dorm room to have a full breakfast on the go. For example, consider stocking up on things like oatmeal packs, natural peanut butter, fruits, yogurt, hummus and vegetables, chia seed bars, nuts, hard boiled eggs, and more.”
Use the cafeteria wisely
Learn how to use the cafeteria to your health advantage, because you may be tempted by easy fast food options. Before you arrive at the cafeteria, have a game plan in mind – know the kind of food you want to eat, and stick to it so you don’t get the unhealthiest option.
For some healthy eating suggestions, consider eating a veggie burger. Add extra vegetables to a sandwich to make it more filling without adding carbs. Put your cereal in a small coffee cup instead of a massive bowl, or go for the hot cereal like oatmeal instead of the unhealthier cold cereal in bulk dispensers. In fact, the best-kept secret about eating healthy is that it doesn’t actually have to be expensive, as this article cleverly explains.
Regarding drinks, always choose water or seltzer instead of juices and sodas, who are loaded with sugar and calories, way more than you think. Drinking a lot of water is important because you need to stay hydrated. Even if they advertise free refills, it’s not worth it and will actually cause you to drink a lot more than you should. Darrell Vaughn, an educator at Australian Help and Best Assignment Writing Service, says that “once you’ve eaten, don’t spend any extra time in the cafeteria or you may be tempted to eat more. The key here is just to go for the foods that are baked, steamed, grilled, or roasted instead of breaded, crispy, or buttered as these are way unhealthier.”
Exercise
Include exercise in your schedule as though it’s a regular class, and commit to it the same you would commit to your schooling. Physical activity should be at the same importance level as any other appointment or social get together in your calendar. This can be anything from going to the gym, running, taking a fitness class like yoga (read this article for all the benefits of yoga on your health), or joining a sports team, but you’ll find that exercising regularly will reduce stress and improve your mood in addition to helping your body stay fit.
Another smart thing to do would be to meditate every day for 15 minutes a day in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening before doing anything else. It will help you feel better and sleep better as well.
Sleep
It may seem straightforward, but the main driver for good health is how much sleep you get a night. Try to get between 7-9 hours of good sleep every night. In fact, the less sleep you get, the more weight you’ll gain. The freshman 15 has just as much to do with pulling all nighters and staying up till early morning as it does with eating pizza and drinking beer. Consider getting an essential oil diffuser to keep your room smelling fresh and invigorating so you sleep better. Get this diffuser pack and just add oil – we recommend lavender or eucalyptus.
By following all these tips, it’s easy to stay healthy in university and feel great about yourself, keeping your mind free to work on your assignments and projects. You’ll find that following these tips will not only make you feel better, but will also keep your mind sharper and more energetic!
Aimee Laurence is a health editor at Essay Servicesand Boom Essaysand blogs about keeping your mind and body healthy through natural and holistic approaches. She also tutors at Essay help onlineto share the knowledge she’s gained over the years.
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