It’s January and approximately 75% of Americans started the month with a New Year’s resolution, according to a study by Hastings and Hastings. Most people vow to lose weight, get more organized, spend less, reduce stress, eat healthier, fall in love, or spend more time with family. Often times, resolutions revolve around health and wellness. Thinking ahead to the summer, we want to share some suggestions for how to be healthy on campus.
Drink water Bring a refillable water bottle with you to campus and keep it with you throughout the day. Having a water bottle while you’re in class, on the bus to an activity, or just hanging out in the residence hall, will remind you to hit the water fountain, fill it up, and drink it down. Water helps energize your muscles, boost your productivity, and prevent congestion and dehydration.
Clean plate, dirty plate Most dining halls feature all-you-can-eat buffets and it’s hard not to head straight for the cheeseburgers and French fries. One suggestion for eating well in an all-you-can-eat setting is to first eat a “clean plate” then eat a “dirty plate”. A “clean plate” should be filled with whole, nutrient-dense foods like meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, healthy fats, and fruits. If you still want desserts, baked goods, or French fries after eating a “clean plate,” fill your plate with whatever you think is worth it.
Take a fitness, sports, or health class A vast majority of our programs offer Sports Plus options where you can take tennis, basketball, or surfing. Our Healthy Lifestyles courses at UCLA, UCSB, and Michiganare taught by certified fitness instructors and nutritionists. In a Healthy Lifestyles course, you can learn how to manage stress, exercise, eat well, and relax. The class creates a total mind-body wellness experience.
Plan ahead On weekends, we visit amusement parks, baseball stadiums, and all the hot spots near each of our campuses. A majority of the locations we visit allow you to bring a small backpack. Bringing some nuts, seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower, granola bars, or fruit will help keep your belly (and your wallet) full.
Do you have suggestions for staying healthy on campus this summer? Share with us in the Facebook comments below.