What I Wish I Knew About Health Before My First Year of College

What I Wish I Knew About Health Before My First Year of College

College is a time for new experiences, growth, and independence. For most students, that also means moving away from home for the first time to live in an apartment or campus residence. Working, studying, and living independently can be overwhelming at times. However, these experiences give you the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while making lifelong friends in the process.

In addition to meeting new people and trying new activities, it’s important to take care of your mind and body. Living independently for the first time presents many new challenges as well as opportunities for personal growth. This article covers some great tips on how to make the most of your first year of college from a health perspective.

Create healthy habits now

Healthy habits that you’re formed during your first year of college will last a lifetime. It’s an excellent time to begin establishing healthy eating and sleeping habits, as well as forming a regular exercise routine. These habits can be hard to maintain in the long run, so take advantage of your college years to set yourself up for future success. This will not only help you stay healthy, but also help you focus better in class and perform better on exams. Eating well and sleeping enough can help reduce productivity-killing stress, which can be a major issue at times during college.

It’s also a good idea to schedule time to de-stress and relax. Finding time every week to do something you enjoy is essential to remaining healthy and happy throughout college.

Stay physically active

College is a great time to find an activity you enjoy to stay physically active. You can join a sports team, take a fitness class, or go for a run or walk with friends. Physical activity has many benefits, including helping people manage their stress, improve their sleep, and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re new to an active lifestyle, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase your activity level. Doing so will help reduce the risk of injury and exhaustion. If you’re having trouble staying active, try making new friends with people who enjoy similar activities to help stay motivated and accountable. Also, don’t forget to take care of your body beyond just physical activity. Eating well, managing your stress, and getting enough sleep are also important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Find a trusted doctor or mental health professional

College is a great time to set up a relationship with a doctor or mental health professional. Having a trusted professional to go to for advice and health screenings is important, especially during flu and cold seasons. If you decide to get the flu shot, you might be eligible for a free vaccination due to being a student. If you have other health insurance that you prefer to use, you can add yourself to your parent’s health insurance plan. Having an established relationship with a doctor or mental health professional can also be helpful if you experience a mental or physical health crisis. Having a health professional you can turn to for advice and support can make all the difference in a difficult situation. If you don’t know where to start, you can ask your college health center for a referral or find a list of nearby health specialists at nahcs.org.

Don’t forget to eat well

One of the biggest concerns of college students is eating well. It’s easy to grab whatever is most convenient when you’re studying late at night or running to class, but eating well will help you stay healthy and perform better in class. To stay healthy, you don’t need to eat perfectly all the time, but it’s important to not completely neglect your diet. Eating well means eating a variety of nutritious foods while not eating too much. It can be helpful to note down what you eat and how much you eat in a daily journal to stay more mindful of what you’re consuming. If you have dietary restrictions, it’s important to be mindful of those as well. Eating well can be challenging at times, but it’s an important and attainable goal that will help you stay healthy and perform better in class.

Take care of your body, too

Your brain and mental health are as important as your physical health. To take care of your body, you need to take care of your brain and mental health, too. Cognitive rest is one way to help your body heal after a long day and stay healthy. This concept is simple: Reduce mental stimulation and give your body a break by going to sleep earlier and turning off social media and technology before bed. This will help you get better sleep, which leaves your mind and body refreshed and ready to perform at your best the next day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, it’s important to take action to get help and support. There are many resources available for students, including counseling, therapy, and support groups for all kinds of issues and concerns.

Bottom line

College is a great time to establish healthy habits that will last a lifetime. It’s important to stay physically active, eat well, find a trusted doctor or mental health professional, and take care of your body and your mind. Creating healthy habits now will help you stay healthy and perform better in class, which will make the first year of college a success.