Having the right educational qualifications to help you progress in life is crucial. Yet when we’re so invested in learning, , sometimes it can affect our health.

Whether you’re at a physical college or learning remotely, studying can be tiring, busy, and you might not think about your own health as much as you should.

Here are some ideas to keep yourself fit and healthy while you’re studying:

1. Get Some Exercise

Exercise is one of the first things that students will start to skip when they have a lot to do. A deadline at work is always going to take precedence over heading to the gym, for example. Yet exercise is so important that you should always try to make time for it, even if you really can’t spare an hour or two at the gym or in a specific exercise class.

Just thirty minutes a day can make all the difference, and you can even break that time up into smaller chunks, such as three ten-minute exercises. Follow a YouTube video or go for a walk two or three times a day, and you’ll be getting at least some exercise. Not only will this make you healthier, but it will help you to focus more and become less stressed, leading to a much better end result and high grades.

2. Choose The Right Course

Being under a lot of stress will make you extremely unwell if it persists for a long time. Of course, being a student will be stressful at times; you’re learning new things and broadening your horizons, so you’re stepping outside of your comfort zone. However, if you enjoy your subject and you have a plan for the future, you’ll be much less stressed than if you hate what you’re doing and can’t see it helping you get a good job.

With this in mind, it’s vital that you choose the right course if you want to be under less stress and therefore stay healthier when studying. For example, if you are interested in health, then taking part in an RN to MSN FNP program is a much better option than something that doesn’t interest you. Not only will you find you’re less stressed – and therefore healthier – but you’ll also be much better placed to get a job you’re going to like, and so you’ll also be less stressed in the future.

3. Eat Healthily

Although most students, no matter what their age, what subject they are learning, or where they happen to be studying, are unlikely to entirely miss out on all their meals (breakfast will often be skipped, however) when they are busy learning and writing assignments, they will also often turn to junk food to keep them full. That’s because it’s quick and convenient and won’t tear them away from their work for too long.

Although the occasional takeout or microwave meal is fine, if you’re engaging in this kind of eating behaviour every day, you’ll soon make yourself sick. These types of food won’t have all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are so important in keeping you healthy and functioning in the way you should be. Plus, when you eat at your desk and you’re trying to work at the same time, you’ll be distracted and very likely eat more than you should as you won’t realize you’re full. Or perhaps you’ll snack all day rather than eating a proper meal because you’re close to the kitchen, and it can help stave off boredom.

It’s far better to take more time over your food. Prepare fresh meals and eat them away from your workspace. This will take more time, but that’s a good thing. Not only will you be eating more healthy foods, but you’ll be giving yourself a chance to take a break. Breaks are crucial if you want to be more productive, and forcing yourself to do this by tying it in with food prep and eating a meal is a good idea. If you have very little time, then try to batch cook when you do have time. This means you can freeze extra portions and always have something good to eat. If you also remove any tempting snacks and only have healthy ones, you’ll remain healthier.

4. Sleep Well

When we sleep, our brain is able to focus on the physical body rather than everything else it usually has to deal with – including our studies. Therefore, sleep is crucial; your body will repair itself, and you’ll feel much healthier and be less likely to become sick or develop various conditions and random aches and pains.

Yet sleep itself isn’t enough; you need to get good sleep. Sleeping well is not the same as just sleeping; anyone can doze off for a few hours and not really reap the health benefits. If you find that you’re waking up feeling just as tired as when you want to sleep, or you generally feel under the weather, then you might not be getting a good night’s sleep, and your body won’t be getting the chance to repair itself fully. This can lead to a lack of concentration, an inability to cope with stress, and a poor immune system.

To sleep well, you need to have a good routine, to begin with. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Do this even if you don’t have to get up for anything in particular, as too much sleep is just as detrimental as too little.

5. Breathe In Fresh Air

When you’re studying, you will find that you are inside a lot more than usual. Naturally, this is bad for your health, even if you’re still exercising in your own home or dorm room. The fact is that getting fresh air is a great way to keep healthy, and it’s not just because you’ll be moving around – you can simply sit outside for a little while, as long as you’re breathing that all-important fresh air.

Breathing fresh air will help your brain function better, and you’ll feel much clearer and in control if you step outside for a few minutes each day. Not only that, but when you’re outside, you’ll be getting a dose of vitamin D from the sun, which many people are lacking. Of course, you’ll need to be careful and cover up with sunscreen as well, but all the same, your vitamin D levels will improve. Vitamin D aids in regulating the amount of phosphate and calcium within your body, which means you’ll have healthier bones, muscles, and teeth.