5 tips for staying healthy - mentally and physically

December 02, 2020 · 3 min read · By ASU Online
A healthy lifestyle is essential to balancing your overall well-being. Explore wellness resources and tips for staying healthy and being your best self at ASU.
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Leading a healthy lifestyle is essential to balancing your overall well-being. You make choices every day that influence your health, from the food you eat to how much rest you get. While the concept of good health looks different for everyone, the most critical pillars to address are physical activity, nutrition, hydration, sleep and mental wellness.

Your physical and mental health go hand in hand; when one is in good standing it can positively impact the other. While it can be a challenge to maintain good overall health, especially as we approach the holiday season, it is possible with the right support and resources.

Prepare to build the best you. ASU provides a community of care with compassionate professionals who are committed to improving your wellness journey. Below are tips for maintaining your mental and physical health.

Engage in physical activity

According to the World Health Organization, one in four people worldwide are physically inactive, which puts them at greater risk for diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

You can improve your overall health greatly when you incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity into your daily life. Exercise is great for both the body and mind. It’s common knowledge that physical activity can burn fat and build muscle, but it also releases endorphins that help improve mood.

For activity inspiration, try an ASU Online virtual wellness program.

 

Get enough sleep

Sleep is a powerful tool that restores your mind and body. Adults should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Lack of adequate sleep can lead to daytime exhaustion, trouble focusing and changes in mood.

Curious if your sleep cycle is affecting your health? Take 360 Life Services' self-assessment.

 

Hydrate daily

Current recommendations tell us to drink 6-8 glasses of water per day, though this number depends on factors like physical activity and time spent outside. When your body is properly hydrated, benefits include improved cell and tissue function, lubrication of joints and removal of waste.

 

Manage your mental health

Stress is unavoidable. The ability to ask for help when you need it can better help you regulate your emotions and react in more positive ways. A mental health counselor can teach you coping skills to help you manage daily stresses and how you respond to them. Counseling support for Sun Devils is available 24/7.

For more tips for managing stress, check out our stress survival guide.

 

Practice proper nutrition

The things we put in our bodies play a major role in our well-being. Limiting the amount of refined sugars and processed foods can help aid in your wellness. When you eat a well-balanced diet, you help your body build a line of defense against illness. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nutrition is essential for maintaining wellness across the lifespan. A healthy diet helps children develop properly and reduces the risk of chronic diseases, including obesity. Adults who eat a healthy diet live longer and have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

Benefit from personalized support

Your success as a student is more than just good grades. We take a personal approach to support, providing vital resources to help you build a lifetime of wellness. That’s why we offer services from counselors, career advisors and tutors to time management coaches and technical resources.

Want to learn more about our ASU Health Services? Visit wellness.asu.edu to explore the resources we provide.

Sources:
USA Today
Center for Disease Control


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