How to stay healthy and fit in college: tips for busy students

By: The Strayer University Editorial Team

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A college student’s schedule can be hectic. And if you’re balancing school, work and a family, it can be borderline agonizing. The question is: how can a busy student stay fit and healthy while maintaining a balance between school and all of life’s other responsibilities? Read on for some health and wellness tips and learn about some apps designed to help you stay on track.

Healthy eating tips for student wellness

Staying healthy doesn’t only mean exercising several days a week; it also means eating the right foods. Making healthy choices is critical when trying to manage coursework and keep extra pounds off, especially when a busy schedule limits time for exercise or meal preparation.

Luckily, there are foods that benefit the mind as well as the body. Dark chocolate provides natural energy, and fish is packed with Omega-3s that are superb for brain health.

Eating nutritious foods like these is an important step in staying fit and healthy.

Start your day with a balanced meal that includes protein, fiber and healthy fats to support energy, focus and overall wellness. Then, try to eat balanced meals and snacks throughout the day. This will help you maintain energy levels and support concentration during classes, work and study sessions.

Mental health and wellness for students

To stay healthy, it’s important to think healthy. Be conscious of the choices you make each day and how they may affect your health.

Managing stress is another part of the equation here: take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, deep breathing or meditation. A habit like this can help you stay grounded during stressful periods.

Another habit that can help you is staying connected with friends, family and your classmates. When you build a strong support system, you’ll find that any challenges you might face will be more manageable. Remember: you don’t have to go through college on your own.

Easy ways to stay active

Going to the gym is great, but there are lots of opportunities to work a little exercise into your day.

Side-bends or squats can be done almost anywhere. Doing push-ups while streaming a show or tricep dips on the couch can help build upper-body strength and burn calories. Spend your commute contracting abdominal muscles in the car. Take the stairs or choose a parking spot that’s a little further away to add to your daily step count.

These are just some of the ways to incorporate fitness into your daily routine that don’t require the gym.

Break up workouts to help you stay fit

If you’re short on time, try dividing a traditional workout into two. Do some cardio in the morning and lift weights after school or work. If you typically do four reps in your workout routine, try doing two now and two later.

Health and fitness apps for college students

Today’s fitness and wellness apps make it easier than ever for students to stay healthy. Apps like Nike Training Club provide free workouts, Strava helps you track activity and stay motivated, and MyFitnessPal supports healthy eating habits. Other apps like Calm or Headspace can help you manage stress and improve sleep.

The best app is the one that helps you build sustainable habits that fit your lifestyle.