Improve your wellbeing at university with these healthy lifestyle adjustments.
The rigours of university life can take their toll on students. Nutrition is a particular issue, with factors such as stress and poor finances having a detrimental impact on diets. This in turn can adversely affect academic performance.
A balanced lifestyle is an effective way of preventing health issues, from sleep to stress, and is the perfect place to begin your journey to wellbeing. Here are some of the most effective ways to improve your health:
Improving your nutrition
Changing your diet is a quick and easy way to start your wellbeing journey. A few basic changes will improve your energy levels and vitality. Start with looking at your nutrient balance; students tend to eat a lot of carbohydrates, like instant ramen and pasta, which have low levels of fat and protein. Adjusting to a more varied balance can improve energy levels.
There are long-term benefits to changing your diet too: this research from the American Heart Foundation highlights the benefits of a balanced diet.
Supplements are another great way of improving your diet. You should be trying to include the A-Z vitamins in your diet. Other household products are surprisingly healthy too. Acidic condiments like apple cider vinegar can protect against bacterial infections.
Managing your sleep
Poor sleeping patterns are another major contributor to stress and poor academic performance. Sleep deprivation prevents the body from properly functioning after a long day, and stimulants like caffeine don’t make up the deficit. Make sleep a top priority and aim to get at least seven hours per night.
Beating stress
While the aforementioned lifestyle changes can mitigate the effects of stress, you still have to account for external stimuli, such as deadlines and social obligations. A US news report found that 90% of college students experienced stress as a result of their course. As well as sleep and nutrition, meditative exercises such as mindfulness are great stress reducers, which can help you put everything into perspective.
Underpinning all of these lifestyle changes is determination. Breaking habits can be a tough process, but the long-term benefits for your health and academic performance will make it worthwhile.
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