10 Wellness Tips Every College Student (and Adult) Needs
In the fall of 2018, 19.9 million students enrolled in college and universities in the U.S.
College is a time of big changes for young adults. And with the class load, the pressure to succeed, and trying to make new friends some students might neglect their well being.
We are aware wellness doesn’t come easy for everyone, so we want to help.
In this article, we’ll share 10 easy wellness tips for college students.
1. Get Enough Sleep
College students and most adults always complain they don’t get enough sleep. Some college students are too busy pulling all-nighters and cramming for exams to get their full 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.
Make it a habit to put down the books when your body starts to feel tired. Getting a good night sleep will allow your body to recharge and you will feel a lot better in the morning to hit the books.
2. Don’t Skip Meals
The worst thing anyone can do is skip meals and in college, this practice is too common.
If you’re the person who snoozes on your alarm and barely makes it to class in time, you might not have had time to cook breakfast.
There are ways to eat breakfast that don’t require a lot of time. For example, buy a box of granola bars and keep them in your school bag. Always have fresh fruit ready to grab when you’re in a hurry.
Skipping meals will only cause you to overeat when you actually sit down at the dining hall.
3. Make Time to Workout
It might seem challenging with a busy class schedule or even work schedule, but it’s important you make time to exercise.
Exercise not only does wonder for your body keeping it strong and in shape, but it’s also beneficial for your mind.
Exercising makes your brain produce endorphins, which can make your body feel good. Endorphins might help give you a boost when you’re feeling down or depressed.
In order to stay motivated, exercise with one of your friends or take a fitness class around campus.
4. Always Stay Hydrated
Many college students and even adults don’t realize the importance of staying hydrated. Improper hydration can make you feel dizzy, increase your heart rate, and lead to more illnesses.
To avoid forgetting to drink water, you should always carry a reusable water bottle with you. It will get you in the habit of drinking water without even thinking about it.
You might even begin to notice a difference in how you feel once you start drinking more water. Make sure you don’t substitute water for sugary and high-calorie drinks such as juice and soda.
5. Time Management Skills
Learning time management skills while in college will help you manage your current workload, and it will also help you prepare for the job market in the future.
If your time management skills lack, you can always talk to your classmates and friends about how they do it. Once you get a grasp on how to manage your time, it will be a lot easier for you to succeed in college.
6. Find a Good Support System
Most adults, especially college students are under a lot of pressure and they need a strong support system behind them to help them through the tough times.
A lot of students lean on their parents or family members to talk to, but this might not be the case for everyone.
If you feel like you’re lacking a support system, you should take steps towards finding one. For some students is difficult to open up and talk to friends, so there’s always the option to talk to an advisor or even a professor.
7. Don’t Neglect Your Sexual Health
Although not a lot of people openly talk about it, college is when many young adults explore more with their sexuality.
If this is something you’re doing, there’s nothing to be ashamed of but you should be aware of the risks. Make sure you always use protection, get tested, take advantage of campus resources.
You can even take advantage of an online pharmacy to get birth control delivered, so you don’t forget.
But most importantly, you should feel like you’re in a safe situation. If you ever feel unsafe, find someone to talk to.
8. Get Involved on Campus
College is the time to figure out what you’re good at, get an education, and also make connections that will last a lifetime.
If you’re having trouble connecting with others, the best way to remedy it is by staying active and involved around campus.
Learn more about what clubs, organizations, and activities are available in your campus and pick the ones that interest you the most.
Staying involved is a great way to make friends.
9. Get Help If You Feel Depressed
College is a big change for most students and can cause a lot of them to become depressed and isolated.
If you start to feel that way, you should get help before the problem escalates. Most college campuses have a counselor or groups to help their students deal with depression.
10. Keep Real Goals in Mind
A lot of students take on more than they can handle and later on become overwhelmed with the workload. Feeling overwhelmed can lead to stress and even depression.
In order to prevent this from happening, you should also be realistic about your goals. Is adding another class really a good idea if it’s going to stress you out in the long run? Should you really work an extra shift if it means you won’t have time to get your paper done on time?
It’s important to also make time to have fun. You will be more successful in college when you have balance in your life and don’t forget to take pleasure in the simple things.
Follow These Easy Wellness Tips
These wellness tips are easy for college students and even working adults to follow. Figuring out how to make wellness a priority will bring many benefits in the long run.
If you want to read about 5 natural ways to relieve stress, check out this article.