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Weighing the options

By Monica Castro

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Published: Thursday, March 6, 2008

Updated: Monday, July 7, 2008

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Collegian File Photo

Almost everyone can relate to one another in the sense that healthy living is, in general, an important aspect of life.

Kara Bartosch, sophomore in kinesiology, said the following tips are a few ways students can live healthier.

Start eating a balanced diet: Super diets do not work. Also, eating nothing at all is not healthy either. Instead, try eating a balanced meal. Eating the right amount of vegetables and fruits daily should try to be incorporated in a diet. Eating in moderation is also key to whatever you might want to eat, especially with junk foods.

You can't say that if you work out, you can eat whatever you want, or if you eat healthy, you don't need to exercise; both go hand-in-hand.

Another important aspect of living healthy is making sure you consume enough calcium, Bartosch said.

"On average, a person should drink about four glasses [of milk] a day," she said. "You determine now whether you will have osteoporosis in the future."

Thirty minutes a day of cardiovascular exercise:

Cardio exercises can involve working on an elliptical machine or running. If you go to the recreation center, many machines have modes for cardio workouts. By incorporating cardio exercises daily, a person will not only help themselves lose weight but reduce stress, reduce the risk of heart disease, increase confidence and increase energy, she said.

Richard Rosenkranz, research associate at the Community Health Institute, said working on incorporating these healthy habits can help to increase a healthier lifestyle.

Sleep: Getting adequate hours and quality sleep is important for a healthier lifestyle, Rosenkranz said. Sleeping in a dark, quiet room without noise and light coming in is ideal to get better sleep. Not having enough sleep affects what you do during your waking hours. Lack of sleep leads to health problems, depression and anxiety. Potentially, a person could develop hormonal problems as well. For students, they should try to get on a routine to obtain more hours of sleep, he said.

Breakfast: "Eating a healthy breakfast helps to live better because eating sets yourself up for a good day," Rosenkranz said.

Eat whole grains, fruit and lean proteins for breakfast. Some oatmeal and fruit would be a nutritious breakfast. Don't just have a dry piece of toast - the body will crash later during the day, because it does not have the nutrients it needs to provide a lasting energy, he said.

Active transport to school or work: Walking or biking to class or work is healthy for individuals because you have some form of working out during the day. Walking or biking to class also helps to meet physical guidelines for the day, so you might not have to go to the rec later. It is also healthy on the pocket book.

Stop smoking: There is no shortage of evidence of reasons to stop smoking, he said. Short-term smoking is not going to heavily affect the body, but it will make teeth yellow and make your breath smell. It is more a long-term issue that can harm your body and health. If you are not smoking, then you will notice other areas that will need improvements and strive to live healthier. For those who still smoke, they are less likely to care about what they are doing as far as healthy habits, Rosenkranz said.

Oral hygiene: Oral hygiene is linked to cardiovascular problems. Brushing and flossing daily is very important, Rosenkranz said. Flossing routinely could help reduce the risk of heart problems later in life.

Stress management: Learning time-management skills early will help to manage stress. There always will be stress, but it gets worse with procrastination, Rosenkranz said. Stress causes unhealthy habits because people run out of time to take care of their bodies and start consuming caffeine. Organization and planning homework, projects and appointments can help reduce the amount of stress. Taking the time for physical activities also helps, because it allows individuals to relax and provides energy for them to work on tasks that need to be finished.

"The challenge for college students is the benefits are delayed," Rosenkranz said. "When you don't do it, the negative consequences come when you are older, and it can cause health issues. Any investments you put with your body will come later in life."

Laura Parente, junior in dietetics, also said writing in journals can help reduce stress. It can release tension in everyday situations. It is a healthy way to handle feelings, she said.

Creating "you" time: Parente said making time for yourself can help to clear your mind and stay positive. Positivity is important for health because if others around you are positive, you most likely will have a positive outlook on situations.

Drink Water: It is important to stay hydrated, Parente said, and avoiding sodas is important to becoming healthier. Sometimes, when people feel hungry, they are possibly thirsty, therefore drinking water when you are craving something could determine if it is genuinely hunger or thirst.

Vitamins: Consuming vitamins is important, especially by eating vitamin-rich foods, but if it is difficult for a person to eat certain foods, taking supplements can help. However a person obtains vitamins does not matter, but taking vitamins is vital because they help the body become stronger in many ways.