Learning more and having the right qualifications to help you progress in life is crucial, and no matter whether you go straight to college from high school, you return to college after working somewhere for a while, or you simply take a class that will teach you something without giving you any qualifications for the fun of it, when you are truly invested in learning, sometimes your health care suffers.
Whether you’re at a physical college or learning remotely, the same thing is true. You’ll be tired, you’ll be busy, and you might not think about your own health as much as you should. It’s so easy to fall into this way of being, and if you’re worried or know you need to make some changes, read on; here are some excellent ideas for you.
Get Some Exercise
Exercise is one of the first things that students will start to skip when they have a lot to do. A deadline at work is always going to take precedence over heading to the gym, for example. Yet exercise is so important that you should always try to make time for it, even if you really can’t spare an hour or two at the gym or in a specific exercise class.
Just thirty minutes a day can make all the difference, and you can even break that time up into smaller chunks, such as three ten-minute exercises. Follow a YouTube video or go for a walk two or three times a day, and you’ll be getting at least some exercise. Not only will this make you healthier, but it will help you to focus more and become less stressed, leading to a much better end result and high grades.
Choose The Right Course
Being under a lot of stress is something that will make you extremely unwell if it persists for a long time. Of course, being a student is going to be stressful at times; you’re learning new things and you’re broadening your horizons, so you’re stepping outside of your comfort zone. However, if you enjoy your subject and you have a plan for the future, you’ll be much less stressed than if you hate what you’re doing and can’t see it helping you get a good job.
With this in mind, it’s vital that you choose the right course if you want to be under less stress and therefore stay healthier when studying. If you are interested in health or history or media, for example, then taking part in a program that links to your interest is a much better option than something that doesn’t interest you. Not only will you find you’re less stressed – and therefore healthier – but you’ll also be much better placed to get a job you’re going to like, and so you’ll also be less stressed in the future.
Eat Healthy
Although most students, no matter what their age, what subject they are learning, or where they happen to be studying, are unlikely to entirely miss out on all their meals (breakfast will often be skipped, however) when they are busy learning and writing assignments, they will also often turn to junk food to keep them full. That’s because it’s quick and convenient and won’t tear them away from their work for too long.
Although the occasional takeout or microwave meal is fine, if you’re engaging in this kind of eating behavior every day, you’ll soon make yourself sick. These types of food won’t have all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are so important in keeping you healthy and functioning in the way you should be. Plus, when you eat at your desk and you’re trying to work at the same time, you’ll be distracted, and very likely eat more than you should as you won’t realize you’re full. Or perhaps you’ll snack all day rather than eating a proper meal because you’re close to the kitchen and it can help stave off boredom.
It’s far better to take more time over your food. Prepare fresh meals and eat them away from your workspace. This will take more time, but that’s a good thing. Not only will you be eating more healthy foods, but you’ll be giving yourself a chance to take a break. Breaks are crucial if you want to be more productive, and forcing yourself to do this by tying it in with food prep and eating a meal is a good idea. If you have very little time, then try to batch cook when you do have time. This means you can freeze extra portions and always have something good to eat. If you also remove any tempting snacks and only have healthy ones, you’ll remain healthier.
Plus, never skip breakfast. If you’re a busy student, you might rush out the door most mornings with just a snack, but there are good reasons to eat breakfast. When you need to concentrate for a long time, it’s important to start the day with a well-balanced meal. This could be as simple as natural yogurt and granola or bananas on toast. Whatever you choose, taking ten minutes to start the day right will set you up for the rest of the day.
Manage Stress
When you’re stressed out, your health will definitely get worse. Your immune system will be much less strong than it would be if you weren’t so stressed, so any bugs, colds, or flu that are going around will be a problem for you. When you’re sick, you won’t be able to do as much work and trying to do as much as you can will only make your illness last longer because your body won’t be getting the rest it needs to heal.
So, if you want to stay healthy while you’re studying, you need to be able to handle your stress. It’s easy to tell someone to deal with their stress, but being a student is stressful in and of itself because there is so much to do. But if you can figure out what stresses you out the most and deal with that first, then work your way down the list until everything is taken care of, you’ll find that it’s possible.
A good idea is to give yourself some time every day to relax. You could take a warm bubble bath, listen to music, read a chapter of a book before bed, do something for yourself like dying your hair after learning about washing hair after color or dye, or do anything else. As long as you don’t think about your schoolwork for a while, your mind and body will be able to reset a bit, and you’ll feel better for it.
Sleep Well
When we sleep, our brain is able to focus on the physical body rather than everything else it usually has to deal with – including our studies. Therefore, sleep is crucial; your body will repair itself, and you’ll feel much healthier, and be less likely to become sick or develop various conditions and random aches and pains.
Yet sleep itself isn’t enough; you need to get good sleep. Sleeping well is not the same as just sleeping; anyone can doze off for a few hours and not really reap the health benefits. If you find that you’re waking up feeling just as tired as when you want to sleep, or you generally feel under the weather, then you might not be getting a good night’s sleep, and your body won’t be getting the chance to repair itself fully. This can lead to a lack of concentration, an inability to cope with stress, and a poor immune system.
To sleep well, you need to have a good routine to begin with. Maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle by always going to bed and getting up at the same times. Do this even if you don’t have to get up for anything in particular, as too much sleep is just as detrimental as too little.
Breathe In Fresh Air
When you’re studying, you will find that you are inside a lot more than usual. This is bad for your health, even if you’re still exercising in your own home or dorm room. The fact is that getting fresh air is a great way to keep healthy, and it’s not just because you’ll be moving around – you can simply sit outside for a little while, as long as you’re breathing that all-important fresh air.
Breathing fresh air will help your brain function better, and you’ll feel much clearer and in control if you step outside for a few minutes each day. Not only that, but when you’re outside, you’ll be getting a dose of vitamin D from the sum, which many people are lacking. Of course, you’ll need to be careful and cover up with sunscreen as well, but all the same, your vitamin D levels will improve. Vitamin D aids in regulating the amount of phosphate and calcium within your body, and this means you’ll have healthier bones, muscles, and teeth.
