Back to School Health Tips

Fruits and veggies are great snacks.

The fall semester is about to begin.  School supplies…check.  Dorm room gear…check.  Health and wellness…let’s see what we can do to check that off the list.

Sleep

We all need it.  Actually, we need at least 8 hours to do our best work.  Some of us can get away with less, others need more.  A great sleep habit is to maintain a regular sleep schedule.  Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on the weekends.

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is important for overall health and wellness.  It also prepares  your body to respond to stress better.  Try to get at least 2 ½ hours a week, or 30 minutes each day.  You don’t have to do it all at once.  Break it up so you can fit in your schedule.  Find something you like to do and do it with a friend.  You’ll be more likely to stick with it if you do.

Nutrition

Incorporate a balanced meal into your daily routine.  Fruits and veggies are great snacks and are packed with vitamins to help your body fight illness, improve health and wellness.  Plus, they are low calorie options, great for keeping of the freshman 15.  Don’t forget to start each day with breakfast.  Eating breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism and gets you ready to tackle that 8 am class.

Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health.  Be sure to keep a strong support network that can help you when you are feeling overwhelmed with life’s ups and downs.  Incorporate time to do things that you enjoy to balance out work and school demands.  The TWU Counseling Center and Student Health Services is also available to help you cope with college stress.

Staying healthy

It is important to get a regular physical checkup.  Look into TWU Student Health Services for your well woman and well man exams.  Washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is the best defense against germs.  If you do get sick, stay home.  Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and throw it away.  Flu season comes just in time for final exams.  Keep ahead of the game by getting a flu shot from Student Health Services.  Check our website for more details. 

For more information, check out www.twu.edu/student-health-services .  Also look for our new health and wellness blog, Ask George, coming soon to Student Health Services Promotion of Wellness.  For more information about college health, check out www.cdc.gov/family/college .

Now you can finishing checking off your back to school list!  

Sonia Redwine, M.P.H. is the assistant director of health promotion for TWU Student Health Services and an adjunct instructor with TWU Department of Health Studies.