College is a stressful time for most students because they have to find a balance between school, internships, jobs, and their social lives. Sometimes, college students can balance all of their tasks easily, but other times, it can be overwhelming. As a result, when college students feel stressed out, they start to feel tired, lazy, or sick. In some situations, they may develop bad habits that can take a toll on their daily lives. To help ease some student’s stress, here are five health and wellness tips.

1. Stay Hydrated

According to Emedicine Health, severe dehydration can lead to rapid heart rate, dizziness, fever, and many more health concerns. In my opinion, the best way to avoid dehydration is to own a reusable water bottle, like a Hydroflask. When I have my Hydroflask in class with me, I always drink a lot of water.

When I leave my bottle at home, however, I find that I don’t drink enough water throughout the day. Sometimes, I might substitute a glass of water for a sugary drink, but honestly, it’s not always the best choice to go down that route. Yes, it’s okay to treat yourself to something sweet every now and then, but I encourage you to go with the healthier option most of the time.

Additionally, there are some alternative options for students who don’t want to bring their water bottles on campus. For example, you can download an app that can help you track your water consumption. Most apps will give you a reminder every 1 or 2 hours throughout the day to drink water. Whatever method you choose to do, make sure you stay consistent with it and always stay hydrated.

2. 30 Minutes of Exercise

Most college students are so busy that they utilize their spare time to sleep or to catch up on their school work. The last thing that’s on their minds is to go out for a run, go to the gym, or do any form of physical activity. That said, according to Mayo Clinic, an average healthy adult should do 30 minutes of physical activity every day. However, Mayo Clinic also mentions that you do not have to do 30 minutes of exercise all at once.

For example, you can split your physical activity into two 15-minutes sessions. You can also download the 7-minute workout app and do a few of those exercises throughout the day. In the end, you need to do what works for your schedule and what you think you can handle.

I think the most effective way to schedule some time for your physical activity is to write it in a planner. If you write it down and see it, you will feel more obligated to do it. Although I do encourage a physical planner, I know some people may not want to own one. I recommend that you download a planner app. It’s a good option because you can easily update your schedule throughout the day by going on your phone. Another option is to use Google Calendar. I know many students and professors who use Google Calendar on a daily basis. It’s a great tool for people who are in college because it comes with your Gmail account, and it’s free.

3. Sleep

One of the most infamous things that college students are known for is not having enough sleep. Sometimes, they’re studying last minute for their exams. Other times, they may need to stay up late to review their school assignments. Whatever the case is, sleep deprivation is a serious issue.

Sleep deprivation can lead to multiple health concerns that can affect you physically and mentally. According to Healthline, sleep deprivation can lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, memory issues, increased risk of heart disease, and many more health concerns. To follow up with that, medical professionals claim that adults from ages 18-64 should have 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Therefore, sleeping is the most important factor in your nightly routine, so prioritize your night wisely so you can sleep more.

4. Support System

One of the most important things that I believe all college students should have is a support system behind them. It’s important to have at least one person you can talk to for fun, for venting, or for stress-relief. Most students usually go to their parents, friends, or classmates as a support system.

If you don’t have the option to talk to a friend or a family member, I recommend that you check your university website to find a wellness center to speak to somebody like a counselor. Another possible option is to talk to your mentor if you have one. You can also find a quiet spot on campus to relax and clear your mind.

For example, I’ve seen students on campus who meditate or sleep in a quiet spot on campus. Also, at my university, we have the “Center for Well-Being,” and that’s usually where students go to if they need to relax, clear their minds, or take a nap. Whatever method you choose to do, I recommend that you make a little bit of time for that activity every day.

5. Be Realistic

I recommend having a realistic school and work schedule as a college student. If you have too many classes, you’re going to overwhelm yourself as soon as school begins. If you work too many hours, you may find yourself not having enough time to go to class or to do your homework. You also might have to decrease your sleeping time if you have too much on your plate. Therefore, it’s important to find a balance between your professional, school, and social life.

If your schedule doesn’t allow you to make time for the things and people that you love, then that’s a huge sign that you need to reevaluate your schedule. From my experiences, I usually never have a class on Friday because I consider it my easy day. I know so many students who do the same thing as me and it has helped us significantly with our busy schedules.

Overall, in order to stay focus in school, to feel healthy, and to have a positive mindset, students should consider investing more time in their health and well-being. It may be difficult to balance everything at first, but you just need to remember that it’s all about finding a balance between your professional, school, and social life.