Sometimes, amid classes, studying, homework, meetings and maintaining a social life, college students forget to maintain their health. Though some students may not think they need to worry about healthy habits, developing healthy habits now will make it easier for students to stay healthy throughout their lives. Here are 5 tips for college students to stay healthy:
1. Eat In, Not Out
Being in college means you’re constantly busy, and sometimes it can be easier to grab a cheeseburger with fries then 
to go to store and cook a home made meal. However, eating out every night can be a big mistake. When you cook at home you know every ingredient that you are putting into your meal, making it the healthier option. When you eat out there are dozens of hidden ingredients in your food that help pack on the calories. Eating in also helps save money, and when you’re in college you want to save as much as you can. If you live in a dorm, don’t worry! There are so many on campus restaurants that are healthy to eat out, such as Plains to Plate and The Mediterranean Cafe.
2. Go To The Gym
I know this seems like an obvious one, but exercising throughout the week can help you stay healthy throughout college. Have you seen the state-of-the-art recreation andwellness center that Auburn has to offer? It’s amazing and is equipped with a full half a mile track, basketball courts and even a rock-climbing wall. If you don’t like exercising on your own then that’s not aproblem, the gym offers fitness classes such as yoga and spin class. Exercising will help with your overall health and makes eating healthy easier, it will also help keep stress down. So when in doubt, just go for a run!
3. Walk and Always Take The Stairs
If you can then always walk to class! If you’re within walking distance of class then ditch the tiger transit, you’ll probably get to campus quicker anyway! Walking gives you that extra little bit of exercise without even realizing that you’re doing it! Never take the elevator! I have a class on the 4th floor in Mell three days a week, and even though it’s tempting to take the elevator I never do, and you shouldn’t either! Trust me, your legs will thank you in the end!
4. Get Enough Sleep
Between balancing school and a social life it can be hard to get enough sleep in college, but it’s essential that you do! On average college students only getsix hours of sleep a night, however college students actually need seven to nine hours a night to be able to properly function the next day. Recent research on college students and sleep indicates that insufficient sleep impacts their health, moods, GPA and safety. So skip those all-nighters, because sleep really does matter.
5. Avoid Sugary Drinks
Drink water instead! Though caffeinated beverages like soda and energy drinks can be tempting when studying or doing late-night homework, they are ultimately harmful in the long run. The combination of caffeine and sugar in these drinks causes you to crash and feel bad later. Choose water because as your drink of choice because staying hydrated can help your concentration and keep you from overeating. It also replenishes your body and gives you more energy throughout the day.
Just follow these tips and you’ll have no trouble maintain a healthy lifestyle while in college!