LIFESTYLE

The importance of a healthy lifestyle for students

The adage of healthy body, healthy mind is especially relevant to college students. Getting good
grades, focusing in class and balancing a busy schedule may be easier if you maintain a healthy
lifestyle. By making small changes in your diet and activity level, you can reap big benefits in your
overall health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be difficult as a student. Late nights, irregular
schedules, work commitments, tight budgets and food choices all take their toll on your health.
Luckily, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind that will help you stay on track.

You are what you eat Eating fast food and take-out a few times per week might seem like a good
way to save some money on a tight student budget. However, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle
you would be better off allocating your limited funds to buying quality food. According to the online
community Student Universe, preparing meals at home, whether that be an on- or off-campus
residence, is one of the easiest and simplest ways you can invest in your personal well-being.
Preparing your own meals is a way for you to save money, and it allows you to carefully control how
much sugar, fat and preservatives are in your food. As an alternative to empty calorie snacks like
chips or soda, students should try to eat fruits, nuts and other natural foods between meals.

A little help from your friends The health benefits of exercise are well documented. Working out
on a regular basis is not just a great way to stay in shape, it also enables your body to produce
natural chemicals called endorphins that help you feel happier, and may also make it easier to focus
on your studies. However, making the commitment to go to the gym on a regular basis can be a
struggle. For this reason, healthy living Web site LiveStrong.com recommends students exercise with
friends. This may make it easier for you to commit to a regular workout routine, and can also be a lot
of fun. Sports like tennis and basketball are great for a cardiovascular workout, and even a simple
weekend hike can help you stay fit while enjoying the great outdoors.

Time for tea Although it can be tempting to grab a sugary caffeinated beverage like a cappuccino
or energy drink before class, caffeine can actually be detrimental to mental focus and cognitive
function in the long run. As such, personal productivity Web site Lifehack.org suggests students
switch coffee for herbal tea. This non-caffeinated beverage is available in a wide range of flavors,
some of which have added health benefits. For example, chamomile has a calming effect while
peppermint tea can help with an upset stomach.
Avoid late-night studying: It’s okay to stay up finishing an assignment once in a while, but it’s not
a good idea to make ‘all-nighters’ a habit. Not only does staying up late increase your stress levels,
but you’ll also find that you are not doing your best work when you’re tired and frantically working
towards a deadline. Even if you are getting good marks, think about how much better they would be
if you put in the time and effort ahead of the due date. We recommend keeping a schedule of
assignment due dates so you can plan ahead, and starting assignments at least two weeks before
they are due so there’s no last-minute rush.

Balance your commitments: Ask graduates about what they struggled with most during their
studies and many will tell you that they found it difficult to balance their commitments. This could
mean balancing study with a part-time or casual job, or perhaps with relationships and social
commitments. It’s important to maintain a life outside of study — keeping everything balanced will
help you to do well academically and will also keep your health in check. If you are worried that your
job is affecting your studies, ask your manager if you can cut back your shifts or change your roster.
If social outings are interfering with your assessments, try to limit the amount of times you go out
per week or promise yourself an early night every now and then.

Find ways to manage stress levels: Assessment stress can have a negative impact on your health,
particularly your immune system. The key is to manage your stress levels before they hit their peak
and to find study methods that work for you (remember, these might be different to what works for
your friends or family). Many students find it effective to structure their study sessions and take
study breaks between each session. This might involve a quick jog around the block to clear your
head, sitting down with a book or your favourite movie, or catching up with friends for a coffee. You
can also avoid stress by being prepared and organised throughout the semester — maintaining a
good attendance record, doing your class readings and starting assignments early can all help to
minimise your stress levels when the assessment period comes around.

A healthy lifestyle leaves you fit, energetic and at reduced risk for disease, based on the choices you
make about your daily habits. Good nutrition, daily exercise and adequate sleep are the foundations
for continuing good health. Managing stress in positive ways, instead of through smoking or drinking
alcohol, reduces wear and tear on your body at the hormonal level. For a longer and more
comfortable life, put together your plan for a healthy lifestyle and live up to it.