Tips for Health and Wellness

• The transition to college can induce stress and contribute to mental and physical health issues in students.
• The best ways to maintain health include getting adequate sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising and making time for self-care.
• Be sure you know the symptoms of illness and how to get help if needed.

College is an exciting time in many young adults’ lives; however, the transition to college can also introduce struggles such as

• social pressures,
• problems achieving work-life balance,
• time management,
• impostor syndrome, and
• a lack of sleep.

College students may also feel disconnected from their support systems back home as they encounter new people, values, and life experiences.

All of these changes put college students at risk of developing mental and physical health challenges. School-related stress can even exacerbate existing conditions.

Sleep

• Go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day
• Don’t drink caffeine too late at night
• Avoid napping during the day
• Use your bed only for sleeping
• Put down your electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime

Exercise

Exercise can help with your sleep and also improve your overall fitness.

Students’ relationships with exercise can vary significantly. Some exercise to relieve stress and will prioritize fitting it in, even when they’re busy, while others will let it be one of the first things to drop off when they start to feel overwhelmed.

If you’re in the first category, be sure you’re using exercise as a healthy coping mechanism and that you’re not overexercising to the point of hurting yourself or losing too much weight.

If you belong to the latter category, I recommend finding ways to incorporate exercise into your everyday routine, even if it’s just a brisk walk around campus.

There are several options for indoor exercise on campus as well, including the gym in the MAC and cardio machines in the student center.

Diet

Eating healthy in college can be challenging when relying on d-hall instead of home-cooked meals, or when your finances limit your food options.

One key to healthy eating is being aware that with odd studying hours and class schedules, you might get hungry at seemingly random times. Make an effort to carry healthy snacks with you, such as carrots, bananas, nuts, dried fruit, and kale chips.

If you’ve ever struggled with eating, college can be a particularly triggering time. This is because restricting what you eat, binge eating, and purging are often tied to control and self-esteem.

When you’re stressed with school, you can start to feel out of control and bad about yourself.

If you notice you’ve been resorting to unhealthy patterns of behavior, whether new or old, make an appointment to speak with a counselor in our counseling center or the nurse practitioner in the health center right away.

Don’t put it off — your health takes priority.

Self Care

It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself in college.

But no matter how busy you may be, you need to learn to schedule time to do something you like or that relaxes you. Some may enjoy getting massages, seeing movies, or engaging in a hobby, while others may prefer performing yoga or practicing mindfulness.

Students can greatly benefit from focusing on the here and now, particularly when anxious or stressed. Consider using a meditation app to hone your mindfulness skills.

Be on the lookout for wellness programs offered by our WildCat Wellness Council (WC2)!

Sexual Health and Safety

Sexual health is another key part of overall wellness.

Students should practice safe sex and understand the different methods of protection and birth control.

They should also know how to access STI/STD screenings at their college health center.

Additionally, students should know how to talk about consent and safety in intimate relationships. Unfortunately, sexual assault remains a widespread issue on college campuses. Some schools employ bystander training programs, which show students how to take action if they see a violent crime or assault. Such programs can also teach students about reporting mechanisms on campus and mental health treatment options for those who have experienced trauma.

Call the health center if you need any information about sexual health, safety, or contact information for more resources.

Campus Resources

• Health Center 434-947-8130
• Counseling Center 434-947-8158 (http://rbfl.xyschool.net/counseling/)
• Campus Safety 434-947-8000

Off-Campus Resources

• Local EMS – 911
• Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department
• MedExpress Urgent Care – 434-384-1573
• Piedmont Psychiatric Center – 434-200-5999

Editor’s Note: This article contains general information and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a professional advisor before making decisions about health-related issues.

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