Physical Health Tips for Students
By: Samantha Medeiros, Clinical Intern
StarVista’s School-Based Counseling Services program
As we continue to navigate the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, many students are left wondering how this will affect the upcoming school year. In this flurry of changes and uncertainty, it’s important for students to ground themselves and get back to the basics of life.
In this blog post, I am discussing 3 physical health basics – hygiene, sleep, and nutrition. This information can be used to promote physical health and wellness within yourself and/or with others.
Hygiene
Hygiene is the science of preserving health. Hygiene is essential to our health and wellbeing. Poor hygiene can be a sign of self-neglect, which is the inability or unwillingness to attend to one’s personal needs.
– Washing your hands
– Brushing and flossing your teeth
– Combing your hair
– Wearing clean clothes
– Drinking lots of water
– Exercising regularly
It also includes making safe and healthy decisions when interacting with others. Implementing good personal hygiene practices has both health and social benefits. If you like using checklists, consider a hygiene checklist to maintain your daily routine.
Sleep
If your energy is not where you’d like it, reconsider the hours you sleep. In our busy world, it’s important to slow down, rest, and recharge.
– You accumulate energy instead of depleting it
Not getting enough sleep can make you irritable and impatient, not to mention inefficient. When a body has had all the sleep it needs, it stops sleeping – as simple as that.
Nutrition
Nutrition is important in developing and maintaining good health. Healthy habits and activities contribute to lower risk of disease, improved emotional health, increased focus and learning, and other qualities that contribute to a better life. Having a variety of foods and eating regular meals are all recommended for good nutrition.
Stay Hydrated! Drinking water is often overlooked as a necessary part of staying healthy. A fluid balance helps in improving the mood, boosting memory, reducing the frequency of headaches, and improving brain function. If the body experiences fluid loss, it may lead to anxiety and excessive fatigue.
For students who face a lack of nutrition due to food insecurity or lack of food access, please visit this site to find food distribution locations in the San Mateo County area.
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