Back to School: Wellness Tips for University & College Students
There are many great and not-so-great things that come along with university life, and dorm life in particular. Getting to hang out with your friends all the time, and always having someone to borrow laundry soap from? Awesome! Loud parties when you need to sleep or study, and having to share a shower stall with dozens of other people? Not so great.
One longstanding cliche of college life is the Freshman 5 (or 10 or 15, depending on how your year goes). Yes, students are known to eat terribly, and we understand why - fast food is everywhere, you’re busy with school, work, extracurriculars and your social life - it’s hard! But it’s not just your weight you should worry about. In fact, we recommend that you don’t focus on your weight at all - instead, let’s talk about health!
Your body shape shouldn’t be a measure of your worth, or affect your self-confidence. You may wish you were taller or thinner or stronger or curvier, but guess what? You look awesome just the way you are. What matters is that you feel awesome, too. Health comes from within, and is closely related to how you treat your body.
Eating well is critical to feeling good. It’s not about the size of your clothes - it’s about having energy, good digestion, and generally feeling well. If you live on coffee and muffins and then go out for beers on Thursday night, you’ll feel the effect. Conversely, if you make a point to eat healthy, nutritious meals and take care of yourself, your body will thank you. You’ll feel awesome, which leads to doing awesome things. Would you rather take a test feeling tired and sluggish, or focused and energetic? We know the answer.
So eat well, sleep well, be active and take care of yourself. Sign up for yoga, pilates or another fitness class on campus. Join a rec soccer team or Ultimate Frisbee group. Take advantage of your school’s pool and swim laps before or after class. Walk to and from class and to run errands nearby, and take the stairs whenever possible. If you have health benefits, use them to visit a Registered Massage Therapist or see a counsellor to talk out any stress in your life. Stock your mini-fridge with yogurt, veggies, fruit and plenty of Meal in a Jar options. Make healthy choices available to you so that grabbing a Lively Lemon Ginger jar becomes just as convenient as grabbing a burger and fries. Prioritize your well-being, and enjoy the results. This lifestyle shift can last a lifetime!
You only get one body, and you’ve got to treat it right. The university and college years are tough, but also amazing. Don’t waste your time feeling like garbage when you can create good habits and kick ass - we know you can do it!
Our Meal in a Jar products are available on retail shelves near many college and university campuses. Here’s a list to get you started!
KITCHENER:
Settlement Co Cafe & Eatery
1 Victoria Street South
J&P Grocery
8 Queen Street North
WATERLOO:
Student Life Centre, University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Settlement Co Cafe & Eatery
23 King Street North
TORONTO:
Fresh and Wild
69 Spadina Avenue
Fiesta Farms
200 Christie Street
Foodland
623 Danforth Avenue
For a full list of retail locations in the GTA, please click here.