Healthy Habits for a Successful Semester
By Donna Stark
It's that time of year. The time when many of our children are getting ready to venture out on their own as they head off to a college dorm. There is a lot to look forward to, and even though they appear to be ready for this new chapter in their lives, it may be a good idea to make sure your child has some basic, healthy habits mastered before classes begin. As you already know, you can't live on campus with your baby, so take the time now to build a foundation of optimal health that is needed for a successful semester!
Healthy Habits at College
College life can be extremely intimidating and overwhelming at first, so it's important to send your child to school with a strong foundation of healthy habits. Take a look at the following tips that will help your child get through late-night study sessions, demanding classes, and typical dorm life.
- Sleep - Mood swings, poor academic performance, compromised immune system, weight gain ... you send your child to school for an education, not those! It's vital that the importance of sleep is stressed and that your child has a good bedtime routine in place so that they can have a healthy and successful semester!
- Diet - The sooner you teach your child how to eat healthy, the better. But in saying that, it's also important to know that it's never too late to give a lesson. So if you haven't had that talk yet, do so now! Teach your child how to make wise choices in the dining hall and when eating out so his or her natural tendency will be to choose the healthiest of options.
- Exercise - Most students can often be overwhelmed with this new lifestyle on campus, but by establishing a fitness routine before they leave home, they will be more likely to continue with it when they are at school. So encourage your child to stay as physically active as possible!
- Organization - It is so much easier to concentrate when things are in their correct place, isn't it? And you definitely need to know when to show up for all of those important things on campus, like tests, right? Teaching your child how to plan and stay organized will be extremely helpful for the times they are inundated with homework and studying.
- Medical visits - It's important to teach your child how to advocate for themselves while seeking medical care on their own. This includes learning how to fill out medical forms, making appointments, and speaking clearly to the doctors about any symptoms they may be experiencing.
Finding Success With Good Health
College is stressful enough as it is, but even more so when health becomes an issue. Teach your child the skills needed for optimal health and wellness so that those difficult months ahead can be mastered with ease!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Littleton, Colo.