College students are often known for neglecting their health by pulling all-nighters studying, eating junk food, neglecting exercising among other things. In Michigan winters are notorious for being snowy and cold, and this can make it harder than ever for students to maintain healthy habits. Here are five simple ways to take control of your health:
Go to the Ferris Recreation Center
The Ferris Recreation Center is free for students to use and is open Monday-Thursday from 6 am – 11 pm and Friday from 6 am – 9 pm and new this semester they are open 12 pm – 7 pm Saturday and Sunday. The recreation center has numerous amenities for students that include a climbing wall, a racquet and fitness center, a fitness center, and a weight room. New this semester the rec center is offering fitness and wellness coaching.
“The goal behind this program is to introduce students to the different cardio and weightlifting machines inside the Student Recreation Center, teach students proper technique for various lifts, create a customized fitness program based on student needs, and to improve students’ overall health and well-being,” the Recreation Center website says.
Use a fitness app
If you would rather work out in the comfort and safety of your own home, there are numerous apps that provide on demand at home workouts. The list of apps is endless but here are two popular ones:
- Apple Fitness+
This one is for the diehard Apple fans. This service is offered through the Apple Watch and connects to the fitness app on the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. The program includes 11 different workout types and there are 30 new workouts and meditations added each week, so it’s virtually impossible to get bored or run out of possibilities. What’s also convenient is that the audio is guided directly through the watch so there is no need to utilize your phone or other electronic device as well. The cost for the service is $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year.
- Nike Training Club
This app is free to download on both iOS and android devices. There used to be a free and a premium version but amidst the COVID-19 pandemic all Nike Training Club services are free. As of now, it looks like they are planning to keep the service free forever. The service offers on-demand class style workouts as well as tips from experts and trainers.
Wash your hands
While hand washing may seem simple or like a no-brainer during cold and flu season it’s key to avoid getting sick. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic it’s even more reason to be cautious in avoiding catching illnesses. The CDC has explained that handwashing with soap removes germs from hands which can help prevent infections. An article by News Medial Life Sciences highlighting the results of testing handwashing on COVID-19 pathogens. Thy found that washing hands with soap and water, “Soap and water induce inactivation of the microbial cell wall and eventual death of most pathogens, including enveloped viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).”
Drink lots of water
Drinking water is another health tip that many people know about, but less people know specifically why drinking water is important. The CDC has outlined numerous reasons why drinking water directly benefits your health. They explained that water helps keep the body a normal temperature, it also lubricates and cushions joints, it protects the spinal cord and sensitive tissues, and it gets rid of wastes through unration, perspiration and bowel movements.
Calm App
The calm app is used for sleep, meditation, and relaxation. The sleep foundation explained that sleep is essential because it allows the body and mind to recharge, and proper sleep also helps to avoid getting sick. Calm app provides calming exercises, helpful breathing techniques and sleep stories often narrated by celebrities such as Harry Styles and Bob Ross. The service offers a 7-day free trial with access to all its services. After the free trial ends, access to the full library is $14.99 per month or $69.99 per year.