Love Your Body week was last week and for those who were unsure of how to spend it, here are a few tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Nutrition
Humans need to eat to survive. It is how we get the energy we need to take on each day, which is why it is important to watch what we consume.
According to the Better Health Channel, the basis of your diet should be included in the five basic food groups. This means eating a balance of grains, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, beans and dairy products every day with water being your drink of choice. Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar and salt; do not waste money on processed snacks like chips and sodas, and be frugal with alcoholic beverages.
Buying healthy foods to eat every day can be expensive; to help lower costs, you can be smart with your shopping habits. According to an article on Healthline, planning your meals for the week can go a long way toward helping you save money on groceries.
It also helps to cook large portions and use your leftovers for future meals. By thinking carefully about what you want to eat for the week, and with a little creative spending, it is possible to eat healthy on a college budget.
Exercise and Rest
The next most important proponent of living a healthy lifestyle is utilizing the energy you get from a healthy diet effectively. It is important to develop habits like exercising daily and sleeping well every night to take care of your body well.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults do 150 minutes of moderately intensive exercise each week. This may seem like a lot, but it comes down to just 30 minutes a day for five days a week. A brisk walk every day, in addition to a few repetitions of bodyweight exercises like pushups or squats, and at least seven hours of sleep each night will help you feel both physically and mentally healthy.
Campus Health Resources
Kennesaw State has plenty of resources available for those who want to lead a healthier lifestyle but are not sure where to start or do not want to do it alone. The Health Promotion and Wellness Department at KSU offers services such as consultations with a licensed dietician who can help you with your eating habits, as well as cooking demonstrations to help students learn how to prepare healthy dishes at home and develop general cooking skills.
For people who want a place to exercise regularly, the Student Recreation and Activities Center is on the Kennesaw campus and the Recreation and Wellness Center is on the Marietta campus. In addition, if you are a part of a club or intramural sport you can access the Owls Nest. All of these facilities contain various weight or conditioning areas and courts for sports.
For more examples of how KSU can help you live a healthy lifestyle, visit the Campus Life tab on KSU’s website.
