Optimizing the College Lifestyle

Are you the typical overly stressed, anxious, and simply all over the place college student?

Yeah, I’ll admit, there is A LOT piled on our wee-little plates. Our lives are a buffet of mixed emotions.

We’re expected to know exactly what we want to do in life at such a young, juvenile age. Shit, we have barely been alive in this hectic world.

Alas, we also know a LOT. Us teenage adults are experiencing an extraordinary amount of stimuli on a daily basis. In these precious early twenties, we’re bombarded with a constant flux of new faces, new places, new disgraces, and new embraces. That alone is inspiring (af).

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Since I moved out of my parent’s comfy home in St. Louis and transferred to the University of Arkansas to study Human Nutrition, like most college students, I have total control over what foods are in my fridge and pantry, how I sleep, and what I do on my free time outside of academics.

After countless hours of research on health and wellness protocols these past several years—while working with fellow friends, family, and colleagues on their specific diet and lifestyle approaches—healthy habits finally come naturally to me.

Being healthy in college is way easier than one may think!!

But the fact is that most of our busy-minded actions, mannerisms, and thoughts choo-choo on autopilot.

Eager scholars simply need to be cognizant of their habits & impulses in order to master college living. It’s time to optimize the college lifestyle.

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The dining halls are where a variety of students begin their day with breakfast, socializing, and preparing for their studies.

The Chick-Fil-A line early Friday mornings is bustling with groggy kids in Birkenstock sandals & sweatpants excited to chow down on a heavy chicken burrito loaded with oxidative vegetable oils, refined grains, and harmful preservatives.

Students complain about their roommate’s trashiness, brag about their wild “Thirsty Thursday” night out, and announce their dire need for a pumpkin spice Frappé loaded with sugar and cream to "wake up.”

Typical Friday mornings on campus.

Far too many college students consume ultra-processed foods every single day from places like Cane’s Chicken, Jimmy John's, or the local (dank) taco shop.

“I don't have time to cook" or "It's expensive to eat healthy," or "it doesn't taste good" are the notorious lines I hear all the time.

It’s understandable: sometimes difficult classes, bombarding homework assignments, and trying to grasp a social life can disrupt one’s focus on their health and wellness.

However, every student devoting their personal time, energy, money, and brainpower to excel in college deserves to live a life free of imbalance; whether it’s anxiety, poor sleep, stress, or even silly relationship tensions.

It's your body and mind, so do what you want.

BUT keep in mind that your energy impacts everyone you encounter, not just yourself.

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Let‘s take it way back to middle and early high school. I remember eating Bosco sticks, fruit rolls ups, a handful of scrumptious Oreo’s (and maybe an apple) for lunch—basically every damn day.

I not only broke out in acne around my jawline and chin and felt tired throughout the day, but I lost my drive, ambition, and mental grit to study and explore new, interesting things.

Once I began incorporating more fibrous fruits and vegetables, clean protein (such as lentils, beans, eggs, grass-fed beef), and foods rich in healthy fats (like wild-caught salmon, fish oil, walnuts, & avocados), I noticed my acne began to dissipate and I started to excel more in my favorite activities like soccer and track & field.

The best part is, these external foods amplified my true internal personality and I was better able to connect with my humorous, witty, & goofy social side.

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Student’s living in dorms can opt for dining halls, or healthier quick eateries like Chipotle, which carry some options rich in these things. Eating healthy is easier, more affordable, and super scrumptious & tasty compared to what most students think.

Buying cheap snacks high in protein and fiber that can be tossed in your backpack when you head to class or the library will keep you fueled all day long.

This includes things like carrots and hummus, nuts, a dark leafy green salad, fresh fruit, Macrobars, and Greek yogurt with organic oats.

Simply avoid going out to eat and do your best to cook at home to know exactly what you’re chowing down on.

This way you can avoid eating chemically-laden, highly processed ”foods” causing all your brain fog and inhibitions in the first place! :)

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Beyond nutrition, I believe in order to sustain a healthy and uplifting college lifestyle, a student must live in a health-promoting environment with others that are willing to cling onto positive actions, such as eating colorful fruits & veggies, avoiding excessive drinking, attending yoga classes, and socializing with friends about future aspirations.

Surrounding yourself with people that truly care about their mental, physical, and spiritual health is a first concern.

Adopting healthy habits early in college truly depicts how one will live their future adult life.

It may be difficult to move away from friends or roommates that won’t budge from their toxic routines, but it doesn’t mean you can never hangout with them again.

A student’s bedroom is the one environment that needs to be organized in a way for healthy choices and thoughts.

- Incorporate an open & inviting study desk

- Remove distracting electronics

- Use salt lamps & X-mas lights for ambience

- Open-up natural sunlight exposure with plenty of plant friends

- Hang enthusiastic posters.

- And, most importantly, having a comfortable, plush bed for adequate sleep (7-9 hours every night) is critical for brain recovery & replenishment.

Allowing yourself to wind-down, put all technology away, and practicing gratitude journal an hour or two before bed will ignite cognitive function, mood, and spiritual thinking.

This will not only improve your GPA, but overall mindset.

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My profound experience with nutrition & the (fun) hours of personal research steered me to optimize the college lifestyle— it’s time to improve student’s mental, physical, & spiritual health nationwide.

Through these simplified procedures, we can cultivate sustainable behavior patterns during our "stressful" years in school and help students grow into incredible future leaders of our society.