If you are a college student, chances are you might be tired already, no matter how much you try to relax. There are a lot of academic pressures and responsibilities on any student, and this directly affects his lifestyle.
Or maybe he is feeling tired because of the poor lifestyle.
By not taking care of your physical and mental health and not maintaining a healthy lifestyle, your academic performance declines, and your relationships deteriorate. When you try to make your lifestyle better, everyone suggests you eat diet food, exercise, and get proper sleep.
Undoubtedly, these are the main components that enhance the quality of life, but that’s not all.
You would need to make some basic lifestyle changes, and mindset shifts to excel both in health and academics. Here is an in-depth guide for college and university students to maintain their health and studies by making some lifestyle changes.
Take balanced meals
Poor gut health is the root cause of many diseases. For college and university students, it is important to eat healthy and balanced food so their brains can function properly. Avoid taking energy drinks and fast food because they can cause higher blood sugar levels.
Avoid munching on snacks. You can replace them with healthy options like nuts, fruits, etc. They will not only make you feel full but provide energy for longer hours. Plus, always ensure that you eat after every 4-6 hours. Also, avoid skipping meals, especially breakfast. It provides the necessary energy to start the day.
Drink enough water
Many students forget to drink water throughout the day when they are busy studying for longer hours. Staying hydrated keeps your brain active and your skin fresh, and you don’t feel lethargic over time. Our body constantly needs to consume water because it eases the digestive process and improves physical performance as well.
Many students feel lower energy levels. One of the potential causes of this can be the lack of water intake. And this can be a reason why they lack concentration and function as well.
Take proper sleep
Lack of sleep can take a toll on your mental health as well. Moreover, quality sleep has been linked to increased creativity and better problem-solving for Marketing assignment writers skills. You can make better decisions, maintain focus, and increase productivity.
Students who prioritize sleep are more likely to sustain their energy levels throughout the academic year. As a college student, you need 6-8 hours of restful sleep, and for that, you need to have a properly maintained study schedule. Otherwise, it will directly affect your sleep pattern.
Less screen time
With the rising need for laptops and smartphones, students’ attention spans are decreasing, and they tend to be distracted more easily. As notifications are constantly popping up on the phone, it gets tough for them to concentrate on their studies.
To enhance the quality of your studies and improve concentration, you must limit your screen time. Following are some tips to do that:
- Establish specific time limits for screen-related activities, such as social media, video games, and streaming.
- Use smartphone features or third-party apps to set daily limits on individual apps.
- Keep some areas of your house tech-free zones. Do not use smartphones and laptops in these areas.
- You can also utilize the 20-20-20 rule. It means that every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to reduce eye strain.
- Involve in outdoor activities and connect with nature. Try walking, running, and jogging to stimulate physical activity as well.
Socialize and make friends
Enhancing social skills is essential in the academic journey. It prepares you for the professional life. You can try hanging out with your teammates and inviting them over to your place.
Join sports clubs, debating societies, and other student societies to not only polish your skills but also make new friends. You can also serve in community projects or volunteer for a cause. It will help you to build lasting and meaningful connections with valuable people. A broad social circle can potentially translate into more opportunities to grow.
In this era where everything is going digital, it is also convenient to keep intact with your friends. Connect with them on social media to know what they are up to. And with that, always meet in a real setting to keep that intimate human connection alive.
Start exercising
Exercising in any form can help build immunity, health, and strength. No matter how much of a little exercise you do every day, it helps improve your body functions.
As a beginner, you can start by just walking for 5-10 minutes. Then, move on to other workout styles day by day. In this way, you will not get overwhelmed and tired. Once you get comfortable with one form, you can always expand it and include more exercises.
Following are some common exercises for busy students:
- Body weight Exercises: Push-ups, Lunges, Squats
- Cardiovascular Exercises: Running and jogging
- Stair climbing
- Yoga and stretching
- Chair squats and desk push-ups
- Deep breathing and meditation
Take regular breaks and reward yourself
Many college students are perfectionists, and they always criticize their work, no matter how much effort they put in. This habit of not being proud of their hard work makes them feel unappreciated, and they tend to watch down on their own achievements.
It is not a healthy habit and requires amendment. The right thing is to just take some time off and show some love and care to yourself. It will heal your burnout, and you will feel more relaxed.
Every now and then, take time to rethink all the work you have done all these months and acknowledge their impact. Give yourself some reward in the form of a hangout time with family, lunch or dinner at your favorite restaurant, or take a few days of vacation outside the city. It will refresh your mind and give you a new perspective.
Take in less sugar and caffeine
Taking in an extra cube of sugar in your tea or drinking coffee multiple cups a day will only result in anxiety and stress. If you are habitually grabbing a coffee from that fancy cafe every other day, maybe take a pause and think about the impacts it can have on your body.
Moreover, sugary foods like ice creams and cakes can seriously damage your health in the long term. These ingredients can give you an enormous amount of energy in a short period, but it will diminish soon as well.
Include sports in your lifestyle
Sports contribute significantly to the student’s life. If you have abandoned your childhood love of sports just because you are busy with studies, it’s about time to rethink and take on that hobby again. You can join a nearby sports club or your fellow sports enthusiast to practice soccer, badminton, cricket, or any other game you like.
Beyond just the apparent benefits of physical fitness and strength, it also gives mental strength and mood enhancement. You will feel more energized and good about yourself. With a toned body and reduced mass, your both physical and emotional health would be better.
Being part of a sports team requires commitment and adherence to a training schedule, teaching students discipline and time and business management skills. So, taking part in sports activities instills self-management and discipline in your lifestyle that eventually help you become better as a student.
All-nighters cause more harm than good
Many students think that they are more if they are doing assignments and homework late at night. Although you can do it once in a while when the deadline is close, it should never be part of a student’s routine. It can cause sleep deprivation and tiredness, which will never benefit in your studies.
Instead, you must always ensure sufficient restful and uninterrupted sleep at night. It is not only beneficial for your physical health, but it also aids in retaining information you have studied all day. It is scientifically proven that students who consistently get an adequate amount of sleep tend to have better academic performance compared to those who are sleep-deprived.
Work as a volunteer
Working as a volunteer means you work for free to make society better. Generally, students (if they are living with their parents) do not have pressure to earn and support their living. So they can take part in any volunteer-based project. It will make them experienced and prepared for professional life.
In volunteer work, you get to understand how projects run, how organizations work, and how to deal with different kinds of people. Volunteer opportunities often provide students with chances to take on leadership roles, enhancing their ability to organize, motivate, and guide others for Lifestyle.
Conclusion
In this constantly changing world, which is becoming more competitive with time, it is necessary to gain a practical skillset in student life but not at the cost of your own health. It is necessary to take care of your emotional, physical, and mental health to ensure that you function at your best. Incorporate healthy habits into your routine to make your college life more enjoyable and productive healthy Lifestyle without getting exhausted.
