Ensuring a Healthy Start to College

By Donna Stark

Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the start of summer and now, here we are talking about the start of college. Yes! It really is just around the corner. And your child, or children, need to be prepared! What does that mean? Well, it means that since your home-cooked meals won't be on the menu anymore and your loving care will be coming to them from a distance, you need to make sure they understand all the ins and outs of good health! Here are some terrific points to go over with them.

Physical Activity

Remind your students to engage in some sort of physical activity every day because the freshman 15 definitely aren't picky! Your children can stay fit at college by walking to class, hitting the gym, signing up for athletic clubs, or joining a fitness group. Help them understand that by staying physically active, they will be able to maintain optimal physical, mental, and emotional health.

Healthy Eating

In addition to daily exercise, your children's bodies also need a healthy diet to function well. And since they don't have you on hand to cook their meals, they need to know what to look for. Encourage them to select items from the cafeteria wisely by sticking to lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, and avoiding processed foods and desserts. It's also good to remind them that soda is not their friend, no matter how many free refills they can get.

Adequate Hydration

The body needs a constant supply of water in its system to function properly and stay healthy and the brain needs water to maintain memory and stay focused, so you may want to send new water bottles off to college with your students. If your children aren't a fan of this natural beverage, teach them a few hacks on how to make it more appealing, like infusing it with fruit or vegetables, or adding a tea bag for flavor.

Quality Sleep

Those late-night study sessions, events with friends, and part-time jobs can really disrupt a student's sleep schedule, can't they? And even though some of them can't be helped, it's still a good idea to remind yours that sticking to a consistent sleep routine is important. Encourage them to aim for at least seven hours of sleep every night.

Off to a Healthy Semester

In just a few weeks college will begin, but you don't have to worry about your students because they will surely remember everything you taught them about living a healthy lifestyle. And if something does come up while they are on campus? Well, you know their phone call will come through to you right away!

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