How to Stay Healthy While You’re in College

With work, school and homework all battling for attention, it can become difficult to maintain your health during your college years. It’s no secret that a good diet and exercise are two of the most important elements of a healthy life, both leading to benefits such as an improved immune system for fighting off colds and boosts of mood-boosting endorphins to help cope with the stress of college. Read more to learn some of the ways that busy students at Grand Canyon University can start to improve their health.

Exercise

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. For some college students, this goal can be regularly achieved by spending a cumulative 30 minutes walking to class each day during the school week. Other convenient options for aerobic exercise include cycling, swimming or running.

GCU offers students use of their many on-campus fitness centers, each equipped with state-of-the-art free weights and strength and cardio equipment. When the weather starts to cool down for fall, try taking your workout outside and go for a swim at one of the many pools on campus.

One inexpensive, easy-to-store piece of exercise equipment that can be kept right in your dorm room is a resistance band. The small, elastic band can be used for strengthening the arms, legs and core with a variety of exercises that are easy to squeeze in after a long day spent sitting in lectures.

Eat Well

A good diet is essential to a healthy life. An individual’s calorie requirements should be mainly based on their activity level, and nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains should make up the majority of one’s diet. Frozen and canned goods are useful for those living in dorms or without a full kitchen set-up as they can be stored for much longer than fresh produce and usually require minimum prep. Frozen veggies can make a great stir-fry, while canned beans and tomatoes can be quickly simmered into a filling chili.

This year, healthy on-campus dining options include Pita Jungle on Lopes Way, which offers protein-packed hummus and veggie-filled salads, and Fresh Fusion in Diamondback and the Student Union, with flatbread sandwiches and wraps.

See a Professional

The average person isn’t wholly qualified to handle every aspect of their own heath, and that’s where the professionals come in. For matters outside of a student’s scope, head to the Health and Wellness Clinic in Papago, where board-certified nurse practitioners can perform physicals, prescribe medications and treat illnesses through individualized care.

To learn more about how Grand Canyon University places an emphasis on personal and academic enrichment, visit our website or use the Request More Information button on this page.