YouAlberta
As university students, our schedules are always full whether it’s with assignments, tests, labs, a part-time job, or volunteering. Days go by, and within the blink of an eye the semester comes to an end. We are all trying immensely hard to ace our classes, but I doubt many of us have asked ourselves: How often do I stop for a moment to reflect on my lifestyle?
With so much on my plate every day, I often neglect what I’m putting on my actual plate of food. I also struggle to find time for working out, or to even do a five-minute exercise. I have struggled to have a healthy lifestyle for years. My schedule has been extremely busy for the last four years. I realized I hadn’t taken a moment to reflect on my lifestyle since high school! Even when I realized that I was on the wrong track, I couldn’t fix it because I simply never took having a healthy lifestyle seriously. This year, however, has been an eye-opener because of the pandemic. This year was when I got a chance to realize how valuable my life is. If I fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle, there may not be any benefit to all the hard work I put in to achieve all that I want in life.
This time I was firm on my decision to make some lifestyle changes, and after browsing through some websites and seeking advice from a healthy (and amazing!) friend, I was on track towards a healthier lifestyle! So here are three areas where I made changes in my life (and I have never felt so good or relieved before):
Eating well is one of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. I used to hardly pay attention to what I was eating. I found cooking to be time-consuming and I did not want to fit it in my schedule. There were also days when I forgot to eat because I was so busy.
Here is how I transformed my diet:
Doritos, instant noodles, Dominos (especially late at night), and popcorn have been my lunch and dinner for almost two years, so I started the transformation by bidding goodbye to them. I also quit adding sugar to my drinks. For the first 2–3 weeks, it was difficult to sip my coffee and tea without sugar, however, after a month, I realized that I liked the change! Now I will usually eat something filling like a sandwich or rice for lunch. For dinner, I invented a healthy meal for myself. Since I love apples, grapes, and yogurt, I usually make a fruit bowl using these three ingredients.
Here is what has changed after 5 months of transitioning to a healthy diet:
Surprisingly, I don’t crave sugar in my drinks anymore. Rather, I have started disliking the idea of putting sugar in drinks! Green Tea (black) is my favourite drink now. Quitting Doritos wasn’t easy, as they were one of my favourite go-to snacks, however I replaced them with a healthier, crunchy snack — baby carrots (trust me they are equally addictive)! Within 2–3 weeks of transitioning to a healthy diet, I could see changes in my life! I was more energized and mostly in a positive and good mood.
[Editor’s note: Check out the Healthy Campus Unit’s Healthy Eating Resources for more information on how to create a well-balanced, nutritious diet. The University Health Centre also offers free nutrition consultations for students.]
I agree that it is difficult to find time for a workout or exercise during school. However, I just usually go for a 15 minute walk or do a fun dance workout which acts both like a good break and an exercise! There are other activities that can also be accommodated like yoga and Zumba as both have great health benefits and help reduce stress. It is just about finding what your go-to activity is!
The importance of sleep in one’s life cannot be emphasized enough. Although it is quite normal to sacrifice sleeping hours as a student, doing so can hinder your health. Fixing and maintaining my internal clock played a crucial part in my transition to a healthy lifestyle. I have tried both: not getting enough sleep, and getting at least 6 hours of sleep, and what I found for myself was that I seem to finish my tasks more swiftly when I have slept enough. This does not mean that you can no longer be a night owl, all this means is that a good amount of sleep is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I had never respected this fact until I watched this video. Ever since I started getting enough sleep, my productivity levels have increased exponentially!
[Editor’s note: Check out Niabi’s story “10 Sleeping Strategies for Struggling Students” for more tips on getting a good night’s rest.]
I understand that all of us are trying to do the best for ourselves, but if that is at the cost of your health, it’s simply useless. So, take out a moment and ask yourself: How often do I stop for a moment to reflect on my lifestyle? And if you find yourself caught-up in an unhealthy lifestyle, get yourself out of it by taking instant action.