A student’s overall health is a good indicator of his or her success. This might sound like a major generalization but the truth is that poor health can impede academic achievement, interfere with normal physical and mental functions, and lead to costly medical bills. Students who want to be successful must take a proactive approach to maintaining optimal physical and mental health. But what can you do as a student to make sure you’re looking after yourself? The following are great starting points.
Eat Healthy
As a student, you’ll be constantly balancing schoolwork with social engagements. Your schedule will be packed with late lectures and meetups, leaving little time for meal prep and cooking. It’s essential that you make healthy lifestyle changes, starting with finding time to eat a healthy diet. The commitment to eating better doesn’t have to rule your life, as there are some very simple ground rules to follow. These include eating breakfast every day, packing snacks for when you’re on the go, avoiding processed foods, and making sure you’re getting greens in. It’s also a good idea to take some supplements to up your intake of vital vitamins like Vitamin B and Zinc.
Eliminate Stress
Stress can be brought on by anything. Your body and mind can tense up due to an excess workload and pressure that’s brought on from other people’s expectations of you. It can be caused by financial worries and the high costs associated with getting a degree. The effects of stress on the body and mind can be detrimental so don’t let it become too much as there’s always a solution to the problem. Worried about the cost of fees? There are school loans available that will give you the funds needed now and you can pay later. Worried about other people’s expectations of you? Forget about what other people think and start to focus on what you want from your college experience.
Regular Exercise
Commit to being active and your mind and body will thank you for it. Physical activity, whether it’s walking, jogging, cycling, or playing netball, helps with cognitive function and memory. It can also improve academic performance, and increase motivation levels. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects and may help protect against depression. Being physically active also promotes better sleep, reduces stress levels, and lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
Getting Enough Sleep
There is no getting away from the fact that students need adequate rest to be able to concentrate and learn. The effects of sleep deprivation can lead to all kinds of problems that can impair academic performance. Sleepless nights can also lead to mood swings and behavioral problems that can have serious effects on all areas of a student’s life.
Taking Breaks
You’ll be under a lot of pressure to succeed but don’t let it get to you. With long hours of studying and little time for breaks, burnout can become a real possibility. This leads to decreased productivity, poor grades and, in the worst cases, it can lead to depression. Taking regular breaks is an easy and effective way to reduce the possibility of burn out. Even short 10–15-minute breaks help to rejuvenate your mind, allowing you to come back to the books with a renewed sense of energy and focus.