Enjoying a healthy, balanced lifestyle is crucial for students who might feel like they have a lot to deal with. Many students will need to balance schoolwork with family commitments, work, friends, hobbies, and fitness – sometimes more. This can be a difficult balancing act to deal with!
Below, you’ll find 12 things every student should do to enjoy a healthy balanced lifestyle.
Avoid Sitting For Longer Than An Hour At A Time
Sometimes you may get so focused on your work or what you’re studying/researching that you find hours gone by having not stood up from your seat. However, you should always avoid sitting for longer than an hour at a time. This can be bad for all sorts of reasons: it can be bad for your posture, cause trapped nerves, and just result in a lot of pent up, restless energy while also feeling strangely lethargic.
There are a few things you can do here. You could use a stand/sit desk if you have room for it. This is a desk where you spend some time sitting, before switching to standing. You may also like to invest in a desk bike, which will keep you moving as you study. If not, then set a timer on your phone and go for a walk every time it goes off – even if it’s just a quick walk around the block or to sit outside for some fresh air.
The longer you sit in front of the computer, the easier it is for your concentration to lapse. You might think you’re getting more done, but more time spent staring at the screen nearly always means losing concentration. By staying active, you’ll have more energy to concentrate on what you’re studying.
Avoid Becoming Dependent On Stimulants
It’s too easy to become dependent on stimulants when you’re a student trying to balance 101 things. The occasional coffee is fine, sure, but having caffeine alongside other stimulants is very dangerous and not healthy. It’s better to find healthier ways of getting focused and maintaining energy all day, or you may suffer in the long run.
Eat Food That Fuels Your Body And Mind
The food you eat can make a big difference to whether your energy is sustained throughout the day, as well as what your mindset is like. You don’t have to have a 100% ‘perfect’ diet, but you should aim to get plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re filling your body with the right vitamins and nutrients. You can take supplements, but it’s not the same as getting them from food. Make an effort to eat balanced, healthy meals, avoid snacking too much, and you should feel like you have energy all day long.
Take Safe Supplements That Support Your Lifestyle
As we mentioned, you can take safe supplements that support your lifestyle. Dr. Ron Ledoux at Blue Sky Vitamin offers many vitamins that can help to support your immune system and ensure you’re feeling your best. Make sure you only ever buy your vitamins from a reputable retailer and that you know they are safe and right for you before you take them. If you take them and notice adverse side effects, you should stop and consult a medical professional. Some supplements are more effective and have studies to back them up in comparison to others. For example, Vitamin D3 is great for most people who spend a lot of time indoors these days, whereas supplements like raspberry ketones may not be as beneficial.
Stay Hydrated
Aim to drink a minimum of 2 litres of water a day. Don’t immediately reach for coffee or soda. You can have drinks you like in small amounts, but nothing beats plain water. Drinking a pint as soon as you wake up can be very refreshing and help to instantly clear your head and stop brain fog. Get into the habit of doing this and you will start the day feeling amazing.
Know How Much Sleep You Need To Thrive
Everybody needs different amounts of sleep to thrive. If you have a lot on your plate already, you may need even more sleep to compensate for the amount of energy you’re exerting each day, both mental and physical. Some people may have 7 hours sleep and feel fine all day. Others may have 7 hours sleep and need a nap later on. You may need up to 9 hours. Pay close attention to your sleep schedule and know when you feel your best. Don’t be afraid to utilize naps, either! Some of the smartest people in the world take naps, and a short 15 minute nap could help to improve your memory and focus.
Stay Fit
Putting a focus on your fitness doesn’t have to be tough. You could spend just 15-20 minutes each day stretching and doing a few circuits if you’re short on time. This will help you to get blood flowing to your brain, wake you up, and get you into the best mindset for study.
Even just walking can be a great exercise. Aim to get 8000-10000 steps per day. This can be difficult if you have a lot on, but it’ll work wonders for your health and focus.
Remember Why You Started
There’s a reason you chose to do this. What direction do you want your life to go in? What are you passionate about? Hopefully when you remember your ‘why’, you can feel motivated all over again!
Avoid Working Late Into The Night
It can be tempting to avoid studying and work all day only to sit down and do it at night, but this can be a bad idea. You may end up procrastinating further and working late into the night if you’re on a deadline. You may also end up getting into bad sleep habits this way.
Find Balance With Your Various Commitments
Do your best to figure out what you need to prioritize. Make a list of the things you care most about and then come up with a schedule or some kind of way you can balance them. Leaving things to chance often means that the things you care about get neglected. This is also a good time to think of the things you don’t care so much about and what you can stop spending your time, energy, and money on. Be honest with yourself. You may feel obligated to do certain things for others even though it means neglecting the things that are important to you. Helping others is important, but not if you’re constantly sacrificing yourself.
Find Appropriate Ways To Manage Your Stress Levels
No matter how well you balance everything, it can still feel stressful. Find ways that help you to manage your stress levels. Exercise can be a huge help, but so can meditation, baths, and even just dancing and singing. Have a little fun!
Don’t Fall Into The Trap Of Drinking All The Time
As a student it’s also pretty easy to fall into the trap of drinking all the time. Stress can lead you to want to cope with your life this way, and if you’re around people who always want to drink, it gets even harder to say no. Do your best to keep it to a minimum and opt for a healthier lifestyle instead. You’ll feel so much better if you can just take a few baby steps in the right direction.
Remember, you don’t need to be perfect – you just want to take your time so that you can build lasting habits!
