7 Holistic Wellness Tips to Stay Healthy in College and Thrive

Wanting to make the most of your college experience by staying healthy in college? This post goes over all the best holistic wellness topics to consider when mapping out how you can truly thrive in college.

Yes, it does take a bit of research and planning to organize how to balance everything but just being on this post means you are taking a huge step for your well-being.

I know from personal experience how overwhelming college can be when juggling your own health, academic success, work, relationships, and hobbies but it is possible to balance it all and feel good! 

By the end of this post, you will feel prepared to make healthy choices that will truly help you thrive in all the ways during college! 

*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or mental health professional. If you are struggling, please reach out to your healthcare professional for professional help. 

This post is all about tips for staying healthy in college.

The Best Holistic Wellness Tips to Stay Healthy in College

1. Be mindful of your mental health

College can be incredibly stressful. Just being in your late teens and early twenties can be a lot. Figuring out relationships, career goals, family stuff, passions, and college classes can be incredibly overwhelming. 

Many of the tips on this list can help you to manage your mental health but I also wanted to encourage you to check out your college’s mental health services on campus. 

Having access to mental health care right on campus is an incredible privilege and you should take full advantage of it while you have access to it!

We all have rough moments in life or don’t know how to navigate certain situations and being able to talk things through with a professional can be so incredibly helpful. It takes a lot of strength to ask for help but it is so worth it! You deserve to feel good and there are people whose job it is to help you! 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 8 Free Eco Friendly Self Care Ideas You Need to Add to Your Wellness Toolkit}

2. Find a movement practice you love and look forward to

Nothing is a bigger stress reliever than moving your body, burning off the stress, and energizing your mind and body. 

College is a great time to try out a bunch of different sports or hobbies you may not have done previously. You don’t have to drag yourself to the gym, I promise. Or you can go to the gym if you love that! 

Most importantly find ways to move throughout your day. Take breaks throughout your long study sessions to stretch your legs. Walk or bike to class if it is close enough. Choose an active activity with your friends rather than watching shows. 

Lastly, remember all of the different benefits of working out regularly other than your body looking a certain way. 

• Make new friends and meet new people 
• Improves your mental health 
• Feel confident and comfortable in your body 
• Have a go-to hobby for when you’re bored 

3. Learn more about enhancing your financial wellness

An aspect of health that isn’t talked about enough is money! It feels taboo and we want to avoid the topic but it is SUPER important in terms of your wellness. 

Nothing causes more stress like not having money to pay your bills or participate in the things you love. 

So for your stress levels and overall mental health, please take some time to look at your finances. 

Having a budget is an incredible place to start! Mapping out how much you are taking in and how much is going out will seriously help you to overall feel much more calm. You may not realize how much you are spending until you sit down and really look at it. 

Most importantly, having a budget gives you freedom. That may seem counterintuitive but a budget is not meant to feel restrictive. Make space in your budget for the things you enjoy alongside the things you need. 

And if you need a side gig, here are some great (potentially well paying) side gigs for college students: 

• Tutoring other college students or kids 
• Caretaking: nannying, babysitting, caring for seniors etc. 
• House sitting/pet sitting 
• Being a server at a healthy restaurant (hello free food and tips!)

4. Be mindful of the products you use daily. Prioritize nontoxic products and those that create minimal waste.

This tip could get overwhelming really fast but no worries, you can take it one step at a time and add on as you go. 

We have tons of blog posts about different sustainable products to prioritize for all different categories such as personal care, dorm decor, period products etc. 

Essentially, the more mindful you are with the products you use the better because how you care for yourself shows up in how much capacity you have to do well in your classes, show up as a great friend and participate in your hobbies. 

Here are some posts you may want to start with: 

10 Must Have Sustainable Dorm Essentials For Your College Dorm or Apartment

Ultimate List of Sustainable Body Care Products We Guarantee You Will Love

11 Unique Sustainable Office Supplies for a Greener Workspace

5. Find nourishing plant based whole foods you love and look forward to eating

For many college students, making time to prepare 3 organic whole-food plant based meals is just not realistic. You’re tight on time and most likely would rather be doing other things. 

But! 

Food is so important to our overall health so it is important to find ways to nourish yourself that work for your budget and schedule. 

Here are some quick tips for eating healthy in college:

• Find healthy snacks you can keep in your dorm/apartment. Here’s a post we did about vegan kid snacks that is a great place to start! 
• Invest in a water bottle and keep it with you to refill and stay hydrated 
• Take some time to educate yourself about nutrition, that way you know the “why” and importance of good nutrition. We don’t all have the luxury of learning this at home or in school and that’s ok! 
• Just try your best to add in fruits and veggies when possible. You don’t need to have a smoothie and salad every day but adding in some greenery here and there can go a long way. 
• Try to make friends that are also interested in health and wellness. Having a community of people that are interested in the same lifestyle makes things easier! 

6. Get GOOD sleep and make time to rest

Sleep is SO important for your overall well-being. Food and exercise get the most attention in the health and wellness realm but we can’t forget about sleep and rest. 

Give your body the time to soak in all the information you learned from your classes. It is easy to go go go while you are in school because you want to make the most of this time but learn how to listen to your body’s cues for needing a break. 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 9 Eco friendly Evening Routine Products to Get the Best Sleep of Your Life}

7. Choose your living space wisely

There are so many factors that go into choosing the right living space for you. The main factors are location and price!

Aside from these factors, it is super important to consider a few more things since it can really impact your overall well-being in college.

Of course, you can’t control everything and there will always be pros and cons but here are a few more things to consider 

• Will you live alone or with roommates? Have you established boundaries and expectations with roommates? 
• Is there space for you to study, relax, and eat in your space? 
• How far away is your space from campus, your work/internship, friends etc. 
• Is the space well taken care of? 
• Does this space comfortably fit your budget? 

How do you plan to stay healthy in college? Let us know in the comments below! I would love to learn from you as well. 

Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox!

Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about holistic wellness tips for staying healthy in college.

Other posts you may like: 

10 Easy Sustainable Living Tips For College Students

7 Surprisingly Simple Tips For Choosing the Best Eco Friendly Dorm Decor

6 Easy Tips To Go Vegan On A Budget | Sustainable Frugal Living Hacks

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