Physical Activities For College Students
Physical activities can be hard to manage as a student. As a college student, I know how easy it is to fall into the monotonous routine of going to class, going to the library, going to work, going out, or just relaxing at home with some Netflix. But, it is so important for both our mental and physical health to stay active and work our muscles throughout our college careers. Here are some easy ways for you to stay active as a college student.
Walk as much as you can:
Whether it’s walking from your dorm to class or walking across campus throughout the day, walking as much as you can is a simple way to work your legs. It may take a little longer to get where you are going but the benefits of walking definitely outweigh the cons. Be sure to wear comfortable sneakers when going to class so that your feet don’t hurt.
Work out in the morning:
Going for a quick job or doing some yoga early in the morning is a great way to start off your day and motivate you to be healthier for the rest of it. I don’y know about you, but when I get home after a long day of classes and studying, the last thing I want to do is go to the gym. So get it over with early in the morning so that you have a fresh and inspiring start your day. Working out in the morning gives you a clear head and will inspire you to eat healthier throughout the day.
Play sports:
Grab some of your pals and get moving. Whether it’s going for a run, playing soccer, or even bowling, just getting your body moving with some friends is a fun and healthy way to ensure a healthy body and mind. Not only are you exercising, but you’re also spending quality time with your friends. Hit your campus quad with some spike ball or go mini golfing or even swimming at one of your friends’ cool apartment building.
Set goals for yourself:
Make a set of goals that you want to achieve and then make a realistic routine to achieve those goals. Self-discipline is the key to staying active because you’ll almost always want or have to do something else first. Write down what you want to achieve, by when you want to achieve, and how you are going to make it happen. Make sure that your goals and dates are realistic to ensure ultimate success. Push yourself but also remember to rest when you deserve it. Taking well-deserved breaks is just as important as the actual exercise itself. This will help you accomplish all of your physical activities!
Go to your school’s fitness center:
From just using the machines or attending class, your school’s gym is a great and free resource for you that you should take full advantage of. Bring your workout clothes and save yourself a trip by going to your school’s gym before or after your classes. These gyms usually offer wonderful resources that you should use since you’re already paying for it. They have experienced trainers, great equipment, and is already located on campus which you spend a great deal of time at anyways. It’s also much easier to work out with one of your friends at your school’s gym since they too are already paying for it and already at the same place. This is one of our favorite physical activities!
Eat healthily:
Eating healthy is another key to being healthy and staying active. If you eat a bunch of McDonald’s throughout the day, you are definitely not going to be going to exercise after those two cheeseburgers. Eating healthy will have you feeling better and more motivated to keep your body in healthy shape. There are also many other benefits to a healthy diet such as sleeping better, better skin, and not feeling so drained throughout the days.
Picking out healthy foods at the grocery store and packing your own lunches and snacks is a wonderful way to not fall victim to all the unhealthy snacks sold in vending machines or in libraries. Another trick to eating healthy is planning ahead of time what you are going to cook and eat. By scheduling what foods you want to eat, you can buy the correct foods and quantities ahead of time so that you are saving yourself time, money, and dedicating what you’ve saved to staying healthy and exercising.
Join school clubs:
Most colleges have athletic clubs who come together to work out or do other activities such as surfing, rock-climbing, frisbee, etc. These clubs are great because you can make friends, work out, and try new things outside of your comfort zone. Push yourself by socializing while you exercise. Check out your school’s organization’s website to see if you would be interested in any of them. You can also ask your friends if they found anything they would be interested in and you can join them. Having someone else hold you accountable for exercising is another great step in ensuring that you stay on top of your stuff.
Take the stairs:
This one is a lot harder said than done. When you’ve just walked across campus and your class is on the third floor, you are going to be very tempted to take the elevator. However, taking the stairs is a quick and easy way to get some exercising in. It may not sound like much, but when you walk up and down the stairs every day your legs are definitely going to feel it and show it. This is one of the easiest physical activities you can do!
Use exercise as a study break:
One of the biggest struggles for getting ourselves to exercise in college is time-management. A lot of us have such busy schedules that we forget to priorities working out. We trap ourselves in the library for hours on end until we’re just about to drop at the end of the day. Working for hours on end isn’t efficient and most of us take our study breaks by watching television or checking social media. Instead, use this time to exercise instead of looking at electronics. Working out will be more beneficial to your brain that going on electronics anyways because you’re giving your eyes a break, you’re stretching your muscles, and you’ll feel more relaxed and ready to go. This will all lead to you feeling better and retaining information better.
