College is probably the first time a person has to think about many things all at once. Among numerous responsibilities such as studying, going to classes, doing homework and actually maintaining a social life, it’s very possible to forget how to properly take care of yourself and your health. Even though health is not the priority for many students, they fail to recognize that building such a routine now and taking care of their health while at college will make things easier in the future and help them stay healthy throughout their lives. Staying healthy does not require much effort – these are the most important things any student has to do for themselves in order to stay healthy:

1. Proper diet

Eating right is probably the most important tip in this category. Proper diet does not only build up one’s immune system, but it can also help maintain a healthy weight and enhance overall health. Due to the fact that many students get their meals in a cafeteria or a fast food joint, staying and eating healthy while in college might seem challenging, even though it’s actually not. The first thing that should be on the list is eating breakfast, and if you don’t have time for a healthy breakfast in the morning because you’re getting ready for the early morning classes, keeping a banana or a granola bar with you will do the trick. Another thing that you need to pay attention to is never skipping a meal, and once you’re done with the most important meals for the day, try to avoid “midnight snacking”. Even if you have to, try some healthier options instead of fast food.

2. Get enough sleep

You’re not a student if you haven’t at least once pulled an all-nighter studying. And even though this might be something that’s completely normal, try not to make a habit out of it. Studying, partying and chatting with friends are all activities that might make you stay up all night, but you need to make a plan and actually think about your sleeping patterns. It does seem unimportant to you at the moment, but sleep deprivation can lead to reduced brain function, fatigue and headaches – all of which are bad for your life as a student and will tackle with your college performance and grades. Make sure to get those 8 hours of shut eye, and avoid caffeine or sugary drinks in the nighttime.

3. Drink plenty of water

Water is extremely important for our bodies, but also for concentration and keeping us from overeating. Scientists recommend drinking approximately two liters of water per day, so it’s always good to have a bottle next to you to remind you that you need to hydrate. Another great idea is getting a good 2-litre water bottle that you’ll keep with yourself during the day. You won’t have to refill it, and it will constantly remind you that you need to drink everything that’s in it for the day. It’s a small cost to pay for being constantly hydrated.

4. Avoid sugary drinks

Caffeine and energy drinks are a great thing when you want to stay up all night studying and doing your project, and many students use them. Even though they can keep your brain awake for a longer period of time, this could be very harmful in the long run. This combination of caffeine and sugar might make you feel bad afterwards, so if you really need an energy boost try eating foods with high protein and fiber content.

5. Exercise

Surely, among all those responsibilities that you need to take care of while in college, who can fit in working out in their busy schedule? However, many colleges try to encourage exercising. The easiest way to do this is by walking to your class, instead of getting a bus or a taxi. Also, many colleges offer sports activities later during the day, such as physical fitness classes or intramural sports programs. Finally, there are colleges that offer free or reduced-cost gym memberships, and if you can find at least two hours a week to hit the gym and exercise, this is what you should do.

6. Get a flu shot

The last resort, but also one of the easiest ways to avoid flu while in college is by getting a flu shot. There are many colleges that offer reduced prices for flu shots, and all of them shouldn’t exceed $25. So, if you have the opportunity to do this, do it, as it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Staying healthy in college is not that complicated, especially if you’re an organized person. Taking care of yourself should be your priority, not only because of your health but the overall college performance as well.

Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for http://www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips. Twitter | Facebook