Healthy Habits for College Students
Even if you find the discipline to stop eating those gosh-darn tasty french fries from Mickey-D's, keep in mind that a healthy diet is a complete diet. You've guessed it, time to hit the gym. Most universities will offer free access to their fitness facilities. But you can oft times get a student discount for a gym near your home. Utilize the YMCA and parks nearby as venues to walk/jog/run a couple of miles each week or do a muscular work out. A regimen of solid aerobic exercise of 20-30 minutes five days a week should very quickly have you in a smaller pair of jeans with a get-up-and-go attitude.Try to watch when you eat. Breakfast, as if it hasn't been said a million times before, is the most important meal of the day. Most people forego a bowl of cereal for a cup of coffee and a donut. Try having a glass of orange juice or milk in the morning. Add a bowl of oatmeal, corn flakes, or some wheat toast with jelly. Not only will you find yourself more energized for the day's activities, you undoubtedly will be more Cheerio! in the morning. When you eat late at night, your body does not have the same opportunity to process and digest the food properly. Thus, that 3:30 AM cheesecake is going to stick around for a few extra days.
Drink plenty of water. By plenty, I mean a whole heck of a lot. Water helps keep your skin smooth and tricks your body into feeling full on very few calories. This does not mean that you can drink water all day without eating. However, drinking eight glasses of water a day helps keep your body hydrated as well as flushes out your system to help fight off illness.
Although I will not offer my own spiritual preferences as the status quo for all who read this article, meditation is a great way to help prevent stress. You may assume that power walking a mile or two will "sweat out the stress." Not necessarily so. A few minutes may be all you need. A quiet room with a chair or bean bag to relax in. Just concentrate on your breathing for 5-10 minutes. Listen to your lungs inhale and exhale. Breathe slowly and gently.
I also enjoy lighting a few candles (aromatherapy candles work well, but regular are fine) in a room with some soothing music (jazz, classical, opera or nature music all work well). But, remember you need to find what works best to relax you to help you forget the worries of the day.
-- Article by special student correspondent Christopher Roddy
About Christopher Roddy
Christopher is a student at Fordham University in NYC. He majors in journalism and international studies. He currently is an assistant editor for the university newspaper, interns in the TV broadcasting industry, and works for a leading interactive services firm as a research analyst in interactive television. He writes for several online publications on topics such as: technology, sports, college issues. and food/health. He would ideally like to be the next Edward R. Murrow, but in the mean time, enjoys being a freelancer and is working on a children's book.
More About Healthy Eating:
• Healthy College Food
• Back to School Lunchbox Goodies
• Lunch Recipes
