Keeping Your College Student Healthy

By Donna Stark

The experience at school that college students are looking at this year may be a lot different than what it was in years past. Many of the universities across the country are turning to remote studies, which means students will be walking to class, hanging out with friends, and hitting the school's gym less often than before. And without even realizing it, their overall health and wellness could take a sudden dive. Fortunately, there are several things they can do to maintain great health.

Keeping Your Student Healthy

From exercising less to spending hours slouched over a laptop to feeling isolated, it's not that difficult to see how easily your student's health could be compromised with remote learning. But don't start worrying yet! With some simple lifestyle changes, your child can still stay as healthy as can be. Take a look.

• Daily exercise - If the gym and volleyball courts are closed this semester, and there is no reason to walk to class anymore, your child may need to figure out different ways to incorporate fitness into their daily schedule. They could bring a bike on campus, go for early morning jogs, or climb the stairs in the dormitories. They could also find some online videos to workout with.
• Sedentary lifestyle - The biggest consequence of online school is the damage it may cause from sitting too long. Sitting for extended periods of time has been shown to increase the risk of pain and significant medical issues. For these reasons, it is vital that your child creates a workspace that provides plenty of support to the body. You may want to look into a desk and office chair that are ergonomically designed and encourage your child to take plenty of breaks throughout the day.
• Isolation - We all know how important it is to stay connected to our friends and loved ones, but when social distancing measures are taking place, it could be difficult to do so. Encourage your child to be very intentional with this, especially when they are feeling particularly isolated. They can connect with family through video calls or meet with friends outdoors. Taking care of their mental and emotional health is just as important as their physical health. 

Having a Healthy and Fun Semester

Administrators across the country are doing the best they can to keep their campuses safe and healthy for all, but that doesn't mean students should leave all the work up to them. There are many different things they can do to improve their own health and wellness as well. And the best part is, they can still have a great college experience in the process too!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wheaton, Ill.