How to Stay Fit & Healthy In College – 8 Expert Recommended Tips

For most college students, it's their first time living alone, which initially seems daunting but has its thrills. They enjoy their newfound independence, be it getting online assignment help for urgent homework or pulling all-nighters.

There's nothing wrong with getting college assignment help from an online writing service for your essays or staying up till late for gaming or movie marathons. But if it is repeatedly followed for a lengthy period, the chances are high that both your health and grades will suffer.

Poor health habits and inconsistent study routines affect students' concentration abilities and increase their stress levels, resulting in a lack of interest in completing critical tasks. But the good news is, you can achieve your fitness goals and academic targets with the right balance.

Here's what you must do to stay fit and healthy throughout college and fulfil your academic objectives:

Follow a Routine

Most students are career-focused and work hard to do well in academic and extracurricular activities. But when there's too much to do, it's easy to forget about eating healthy or sleeping on time.

That’s why you must get on a schedule to meet your regular targets. Start your day with a proper plan or a to-do list. Mind you, don’t cramp your daily schedule with excessive activities. Be realistic with your planning and mention your meal timings and break times in the plan.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

According to health experts, you must drink 2-3 litres of water daily. Unfortunately, 70% of students don’t understand its importance and prefer aerated drinks. Believe it or not, staying hydrated can be beneficial in more ways than you know. For instance:

• Reduces joints shocks
• Improves cells and body organs’ functions
• Stabilised oxygen circulation
• Maintains body temperature
• Protects brain structure and functioning
• Regulates blood pressure

It’s easy to zone out in class, especially when you are dehydrated. So always carry a water bottle wherever you go so you don’t have to rely on caffeinated drinks to stay energised.

Eat Right

It's no secret that the college curriculum is pretty exhausting. Students need to refuel themselves to get the necessary energy, as a human brain doesn't function well in hunger, making learning more difficult.

Therefore, follow a balanced diet with proteins and minerals. Don't skip meals because you've got an urgent task to complete. Always keep nuts, granola bars, biscuits, or other dry snacks in your bag so that you don’t get tempted to gorge on junk food.

Sweat It Out

Sure, you have several obligations and social commitments, but it won't hurt to add another to your list – exercising.

Several studies show that students who are active in physical activities and regularly exercise perform better in academics. Experts believe that exercising can improve students’ brain development, boost concentration levels, and classroom behaviour.

Another vital significance of exercising is that it manages students' stress levels. So, try to indulge in some form of physical activity such as yoga, aerobics, jogging, or whatever suits you when you are stressed. You can even hit your college gym if you are into weights and cardio.

Prioritise Your Mental Health

College Students have several responsibilities and excessive pressure, which can sometimes push them to the edge. Remember, you cannot be physically fit if you are mentally drained out.

So find ways to overcome the causes of excessive stress and anxiety like reach out to your family, friends, or a student counsellor and talk it out. Or, spare an hour from your busy schedule and do something relaxing.

If nothing comes to mind, hit the gym. Exercising has stress-busting abilities, meaning it brings down stress-inducing hormones such as Cortisol and pumps up endorphins, the feel-good neurotransmitters, to improve moods.

Get a Workout Buddy

It's easy to cheat on your exercise routine when you are working out alone. If you are not dedicated enough, you will likely lose interest after a couple of days. Hence, to make sure that your fitness goals don't go out of the window, find someone with similar fitness interests.

Like a study buddy, your workout buddy, too, can be of great help. You can plan your workout sessions, set targets for each other, and be each other's source of motivation against the odds.

Moreover, together you can train and participate in some college sports events. It will give you a break from your regular study routine and get you some extra credit for participation.

Get Enough Sleep

Research suggests that college students who got 9+ sleep scored higher GPAs (3.24), while those who slept for 6 hours or less scored lower (2.74). Experts also believe lack of sleep impacts students' overall well-being and increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, insomnia, attention issues, obesity, to name a few.

But what’s the recommended hour of sleep for college students? Well, it depends on students’ age. Nonetheless, college students should have at least 7-8 hours of sleep every day to improve their learning and decision making abilities.

Go Out & Explore

Another way to stay fit in college is to get outdoors whenever possible. If you are tired of walking or cycling in/around the campus, go out to the local café and talk to people.

Take a brisk walk to the nearby park and plug in to your favourite podcast. Try the local cuisine and learn about the local culture.

Also, if you've got your syllabus in control, don't hesitate to make weekend plans with your close friends. Visiting new places, meeting new people, and learning new things will give you a much-needed boost to your motivation levels.

As a college student, it's essential to focus and give your best to your studies, but not at the cost of your fitness. So don't overwork yourself, and make sure you follow the tips mentioned above to manage your workload and stay fit, physically and mentally.