Student life comes with a lot of excitement, opportunities, and experiences. But for many, it also means a tight budget all-year-round. When you add up the small amounts spent on quick meals, fast-food combos, and a beverage here and there, it could easily comprise a significant sum. Moreover, the fact that it is not even a healthy way of living doesn’t help either.
In a 2017 study on the relationship between academic performance and health of female students, it was observed that high GPAs were associated with leading a healthy lifestyle.
Here’s the thing; maintaining a healthy body is not that hard. Though it might be challenging, it is indeed possible to pick up beneficial habits under budget as a student. So if you have been pondering on making a lifestyle change, here are a few tips that will come in handy.
Start with Creating a Grocery List
If you had decided to switch to healthy living, then cooking is an essential step towards achieving it. But when you go for grocery shopping, it is easy to get carried away and end up buying things you do not really need.
That is why you need to create a grocery list every time and, most importantly, stick to it while shopping. This approach will allow you to control impulsive shopping and reduce the expenses.
Pick Your Battle
Going healthy is not only about following strict schedules, eating only organic, and bio food. With academic overload and tight schedules from college, it might already be tiring enough.
There are some tips to clear the way for you. For instance, you can find an expert essay writer to let go of some assignments, but note that this measure is temporary and will only work in college.
It might be challenging to implement a change in your lifestyle overnight. Start slow with your eating habits and make changes gradually, giving the time for your body and mind to adapt.
Try Your Attempt at Cooking
Not everyone might be interested in the culinary arts, but cooking to sustain yourself is a task easily attainable by everyone. Once you begin, you will realize that you can prepare a meal for two for the price of one meal at a restaurant.
It does not only help you save money but will also let anyone opt for better options. If time is a concern, you can also cook and store in batches, and have a prepped meal ready all the time.
Plan It Out
As dull as it might sound, planning ahead could help you save a lot of time. Even the planning part would seem time-consuming at first, but fake it till you make it.
Choose Healthy Snacks
Snacking is almost irresistible for any student. Most of the options available are not only unhealthy but also cash grabs. The only way to work out a better solution is to opt for more robust versions of snacks. Instead of always going for the vending machine, try to pack fruits, nuts, or some homemade snacks that can serve as great alternatives.
Jog Your Muscles
Leading a healthy lifestyle does not confine to eating habits alone. After hours of looking at screens, and listening to lectures, taking a break in the form of physical activity would be a refreshing change.
You do not have to join a gym to exercise. A campus might be offering several options with sample classes or other exercising equipment. Even playing a good game of any sport would count as exercise.
Learn How to Use Coupon
Almost every supermarket or grocery shop will have some kind of discount offer going on frequently. Being adaptable would work in favor if you decide to take advantage of these offers rather than stick to one specific shop or brand alone.
Look for coupons, discount deals, and sales not only for food but also for yoga classes and gym memberships. Buying in bulk and opting for seasonal products will help you save cash in the long run. It is very important to stick to your budget.
Meditate
Remember that no particular way of living is good without taking care of your mental health. This research published in Frontiers in Psychology discusses how students neglect mental wellness issues and do not seek help.
To cope up with the stress of college, meditation is one of the most effective, efficient, and cost-free methods. Allocate some time every day to practice meditation, and you will soon start noticing the difference.
Wrapping Up
If you are reading this, it means that you have already taken the first step in the right direction. So revise your calendar, look into some recipes, and start planning your new healthy lifestyle the very next week! This will help any student living on a budget.
Comments
Eric White
Having the perfect meal in the box after the classes are the most important thing every student should have, I remember when I used […] Read MoreHaving the perfect meal in the box after the classes are the most important thing every student should have, I remember when I used to eat outside first the food was gross and secondly I never able to find the one I wanna eat at that time... I agree everyone should try cooking.... Read Less