Fall is right around the corner, and our habits tend to change along with the leaves changing color. As it gets colder many of us gravitate toward more comfort foods such as casseroles, pastas and warm sugary drinks (pumpkin spice lattes anyone?)
This is also a prime time for flu and other viruses to make their rounds on campus. The days get shorter and usually so does our drive to work out and get in shape.
It is important to keep up healthy practices throughout the year, even in fall. A healthy, happy mind and body will help maximize your productivity levels in your schoolwork and help you feel more energized as the days get shorter and the nights get longer.
An easy way to tackle a healthy diet and exercise is to establish a plan. For example, meal prepping on Sundays, or on your least busy night, can set you up with healthy meals, pre-packaged so you aren’t tempted to buy fast food. If you are a little hesitant about your cooking skills there will be a Vandalizing the Kitchen event on Oct. 5, in the Student Recreation Center classroom from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. hosted by our campus dietitian. The event includes a demonstration of quick, healthy food that can easily be prepared on a college student budget.
Working out is a huge part of a healthy lifestyle. There are hundreds of workout plans online that are either free or minimally priced that you can follow in order to reach your fitness goals. Planning out time before, after or between classes to go to the gym is a good habit to get into, but if that doesn’t sound appealing, getting credit for a quarter-long workout class is always an option. I think the abs and glutes class is a killer workout.
With the leaves changing color, now is a great time to get outdoors and get active. The arboretum will soon be a beautiful spot for a quick jog or long walk. If you’re feeling more adventurous there are many hiking trails and mountain bike trails on Moscow Mountain, and trips like Elk Creek Falls or Palouse Falls are only a few hours away. Take some friends or a pet for a great day trip in the outdoors.
Fall is also prime time for viruses and nasty diseases. There are several upcoming free flu shot clinics starting in October, so keep your eye out for flyers. Make sure to get enough sleep, do your best to eat healthy and stay home if you feel sick. Head to the Student Health Clinic if you have a fever, symptoms are unmanageable or you get worse after a couple days.
Last but not least, don’t forget the importance of sleep. Being a college student, sometimes sleep is at the bottom of your list of priorities, especially as classwork starts piling up. Sleep is an integral healing process for both your body and mind. Multiple studies have proven that participants remember more on a test or exam if they had good sleep the night before rather than those who have stayed up and crammed material all night.
There is an upcoming “Wellbeing Wednesday,” hosted by Vandal Health Ed in the Commons Clearwater Room, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m., which will focus on sleep health and strategies to help you get more sleep.
As the weather changes, we all need to remember to stay healthy and have fun.
Anna Slusser
is a peer educator for Vandal Health Education. She can be reached at