Balance, Fuel, and Focus

Living a healthy lifestyle as a college student is not always easy or perfect and may take time, but it is worth it. Between the workload demands of majoring in biology pre med, maintaining friendships, and working on myself, the stress tends to build up quickly. Over time I have learned that living a healthy lifestyle isn't about being perfect. Rather, it's about being consistent and making mindful choices that support my body and mind. For me, living a healthy lifestyle is based on three aspects: balance, fuel, and focus.

First is balance, the most important aspect and the foundation of any routine. Before college, I used to think in order to be healthy I had to work out for hours and hours every day and eat perfectly all the time. The summer before college, this mindset led me to burnout and I almost gave up on myself and these goals. Over time, I have learned that instead, balance means listening to my body and giving myself breaks. Each week I like to plan ahead. I create a schedule with workouts, study sessions, grocery trips, and just time for myself. I also try to give myself enough time to sleep each night. It's so easy to lose sleep from college homework or studying, but sacrificing sleep only leads to bad focus and more stress. Along with this, I put aside time for my social life. I am a very outgoing person and love to make new friends. I prioritize my relationships with people who support my values. Surrounding myself with uplifting friends helps me to stay mentally healthy and motivated.

Next is fuel. Nutrition is a very important part of staying in a healthy lifestyle. I used to rely on fast food or skip meals when I was busy. However, I eventually learned that this type of diet was not good for me, I am able to work much better when I am well fueled. One of the best things for me has been learning to start each day with a nutritious breakfast. I used to just grab an energy drink and a protein bar on my way out until I realized why people say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When I started making breakfast I realized how much more energy I had throughout the day. I try to meal prep on Sundays to make sure I have healthy options even when I am busy. I also make sure that I drink lots of water throughout the day. However, I also use balance with food. If I want to go out to eat with friends or have dessert, I do. I believe healthy eating isn't always about restriction, but rather listening to my hunger cues and also enjoying my food.

Another important aspect of a healthy lifestyle is to pay attention to what I am watching on social media. In the past, social media has significantly influenced my perception of body image. I used to watch influencers on Tik Tok who would teach me to skip meals, or rely solely on protein bars and rice cakes. They taught me to workout for hours every single day and never take breaks. This quickly brought down my mental health. Now, I try to only watch influencers who push body positivity and healthy wellness ideas rather than such unrealistic standards. This has significantly helped shift my mindset from comparison to self reflection.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, if not more. Being a pre-med student can be overwhelming. One of the ways I focus on my mental health is through walks. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I like to put in my airpods and go for a walk. My favorite place to walk is the riverwalk, especially during sunset. I find it very peaceful walking along the river, watching the boats passing by, birds flying through the sky, and looking at my campus across the river. I love listening to music no matter what I'm doing because there are songs for anything. No matter how I'm feeling, there is a song I can listen to. Whether I'm mad, sad, stressed, or overwhelmed it always helps to make me feel better. Another important part of keeping up my mental health is staying focused on being selective with my commitments. I used to feel that I had to say yes to everything--clubs, study groups, events, etc---until I realized that I was overcommitting myself and draining my mental health. I now try to only say yes to activities that I know will be best for my long term goals along with personal enjoyment. Learning to say no has made such a big difference in my motivation.

Exercise is a major part of my routine. I try to move in ways that make me feel good and fit my schedule. Some days I spend hours in the gym, while other days I just go for a long walk around the city. I also really enjoy yoga, or pilates classes. In Tampa they have puppy yoga classes that I love to attend. It helps me to move while also laughing and being happy. I love cuddling and playing with the little puppies. Every week they switch what kind of dog it is, and I look forward to seeing the new ones each time. When I am feeling angry or sad, it helps me to go to the gym and lift. Doing this helps to clear my mind and boost my mood.

What really makes my healthy lifestyle sustainable is knowing it is not just a phase, it's my life. I don't always try to be perfect, but rather strive for progress. I adapt my habits depending on where I am in life. Whether it's midterm or school stress, summer break, or vacations. This flexibility in my routine helps me to stay consistent. I don't want to just look healthy, but also feel healthy: energized, confident, and keeping a clear mind. Living a healthy lifestyle as a college student takes effort, but it's worth it. Health is not about strict rules, but instead it's about balance, fueling your body and mind, and staying focused on what matters. As I continue pursuing my dream of being a doctor, I know that the habits I am building now will carry me through the challenges ahead.