Healthy Living On Campus

You’re half of the way through the school year (almost halfway through this semester in fact!) and you may be wondering, “how can I make a healthy lifestyle work in this new environment?”.  The Wellness Ambassadors are here to help answer the questions of how to stay well through mindfulness on campus, healthy eating on campus, and working out in the living space you have!

How to Incorporate Mindfulness into the Day

With course work and exams starting to come up, mental health and well-being often gets put on the back burner. Incorporating mindful moments into the day is a great way to stay grounded and in tune with your emotions and thoughts. Here are a few simple mindfulness practices to do anywhere on campus.

Breathing techniques

One of the best ways to keep grounded is to focus on the breath. A simple breathing technique is the 4-7-8 exercise. In this exercise, you exhale completely, then breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. By counting the inhale, hold, and exhale, the body can calm the nervous system and you can better focus on how you feel in the moment! Also, this technique works great right before an in class presentation!

Find a Spot on Campus to Decompress

Campus can be a very busy place with students and faculty always in a hurry. It’s important to know of a spot or two on campus that is quiet and comfortable. Maybe you find peace in Battelle Atrium or on a comfy seat in Katzen. Wherever it may be, just know you can always go there when you need a mindful moment.

Mindfulness Apps

Technology is so prominent in daily life, so why not use it to help with mindfulness! A few apps available to smart phones and computers that help ground and relax users are The Mindfulness App, Headspace, Calm, and many more. If you find that you could use a guided meditation or even just need to use your phone more productively, go ahead and give these apps a shot!

Best of luck,

Zoe Rosner, Wellness Ambassador

 

Fitness Anywhere

With everyone leading incredibly busy lives in today’s day and age, it can be challenging to find time for fitness. You don’t have time to drive to and from the gym each day, along with getting in an hour-long workout. Does this mean you should give up on achieving a higher level of fitness? Certainly not.

With a short, but intense workout that you can do anywhere, you can achieve the same results of an hour-long gym workout on your own terms. To achieve a holistic workout, you want to include both cardio and strength-building elements. Here is an example of a holistic workout that you can do anywhere, that only takes 30 minutes!

Additionally, you can perform these tasks on a variety of surfaces or mediums. For example: chair squats or desk push-ups. Use whatever materials you have at your disposal to achieve your workout goals!

 

 

 

Here are some other exercises that you can do practically anywhere!

These sets of exercises are a great way to get a full body workout in no matter where you are! Living a healthy and fit lifestyle is based on time management and organization, so it’s up to you to prioritize your health, even when you’re on the go.

Julia Snegg, Wellness Ambassador

 

Eating Healthy on Campus

For those of us who live on campus, finding ways to eat healthy can be difficult. However, there are many ways to eat healthy all around campus.

The Tavern

Pi and Fry serves large portions. A key to eating healthy is only eating as much as you need. Try to eat slowly to notice the feeling of fullness. Pi and Fry also has salads (Greek and Caesar) if you are looking for a healthier alternative to the chicken tenders and curly fries.

Elevation Burger has chicken now! Elevation Burger has begun serving both grilled and crispy chicken sandwiches under the meal exchange program. This is a great way to get your lean protein in with a delicious meal.

Global Fresh has the option to add sautéed vegetables to any meal. Take advantage of this opportunity to get your greens in.

MGC

Freshii is a great option for healthy eating on campus. Their meals are packed with vegetables and protein. However, opt for chicken or falafel as an alternative to steak or tofu if you can.

Einstein’s Bagels egg sandwiches are a great way to add protein to your breakfast. Grab a honey oat or whole wheat bagel for more productive carbs.

TDR

TDR’s salad bar is a great way to get your vegetables in. They typically have three different types of lettuce. This is a great area for you to get creative with how you eat. They have so many different types of toppings, the possible combinations are endless. The grill station has lots of potential for lean protein, as they frequently have grilled chicken and veggie burgers. The menu on a day to day basis is more of a mixed bag, but there are always options. Try to get a full serving of vegetables and stay away from fried foods as much as possible.

Eating healthy is always more difficult when you’re not in control of your own food options, but AU dining has a plethora of ways that you can eat healthy, even if they may not seem obvious. Utilize these tips and work your way towards a healthier lifestyle!

Stacey Friedman, Wellness Ambassador