American novelist John Irving once said, “Good habits are worth being fanatical about.” Whether you’re someone who gets excited about change or someone genuinely interested in becoming more balanced, making small habitual changes can produce long-lasting positive effects like increased energy, less stress, better sleep and a deeper sense of well-being. In fact, establishing good, healthy habits can even help prevent illnesses and diseases like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep deprivation and various mental breakdowns, resulting in a better outlook on life and a promising future. 

Interest in mental health and the well-being of university students has gradually increased in recent decades as more studies have found students in a constant state of psychosocial and academic challenges because of their lack of good habits. According to medical and mental health experts, college students are facing serious health issues due to their lack of solid, evidence-based habits, resulting in 44% of students reporting symptoms of depression, 37% reporting experiencing anxiety, and 15% considering suicide. This has raised concerns that unlike quick fixes or fad trends, habits aren’t about instant results or overnight transformations but instead small steps and choices that lead to substantial change.  

At ACU Online, we seek to help our students develop healthy habits that can help them reach their academic and vocational goals. Through the help of our Student Wellness Office, Student Engagement Office, and partners like TimelyCare, our students are given opportunities and individualized approaches to bettering their physical and mental health by helping them establish healthy behaviors and habits to make their college experience even sweeter and more fulfilling.

Here is a short list of small habits that can be seamlessly integrated into your daily life for lasting effects. 

Amping Up Your Exercise 

We all know exercise is great for health. From fighting obesity to boosting energy, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Even for short periods of time, exercise can boost concentration, memory and overall brain performance. Because exercise significantly impacts college students’ memory retention, studies have found a significant link between students who maintain regular exercise routines and demonstrate a greater capacity to remember academic materials, like lectures and complex concepts. Plus, because exercise releases endorphins, students find an immense reduction of stress, promoting an overall sense of well-being.

Eating A Balanced Diet 

The saying that your plate should be a rainbow of colors is not a suggestion. What you put into your body directly impacts your health since your body derives energy and nutrients from food. When you eat a well-balanced diet, you begin to not only receive the essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients crucial for optimal function but also help your physical and mental health by prioritizing meal preparation over fast food, cooking over quick fixes and holistic meals over snacking. That’s why incorporating a healthy eating habit like adding more plant-based foods, colorful vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats to your diet is a great place to start. Fruits and vegetables can help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. And while you can still enjoy moderately processed foods, alcohol, sugar and caffeine, practicing mindful eating is important. 

Sleeping and Resting  

Cat naps, closing your eyes, taking a load off – whatever you call it, sleep is essential. In many ways, quality sleep is just as crucial to your health as diet and exercise. Sleep readjusts your body and rejuvenates the mind. From repairing cells to settling your digestive system, a regimented sleep schedule allows your mind and body to become accustomed to resting and decompressing. You can also take micro-breaks or short, planned pauses, usually lasting no longer than 5 minutes, taken throughout the day to divert attention from monotonous or demanding tasks. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, students who don’t prioritize sleep tend to have various problems and issues during their time in and out of school, like lower GPAs and poor grades. Some health issues include consistent sleepiness, sleep disorders and weight gain. A good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 7-9 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep. Not only will you notice a difference in your mood but also your grades, health and mental clarity.

Prioritizing Mindful Organization 

Getting organized is vital to your mental and physical health and a good habit to form. But let’s face it – life can get pretty busy making the chances for forgetting things and getting even more stressed out. That’s why creating something as simple as a checklist or using an organizational tool can help you get things in order without relying on your memory. Using tools that remind you to complete specific tasks can naturally help you complete more things and increase your overall productivity. With that renewed sense of accomplishment at the end of each day, you can be motivated to make it a habit to complete your assignments, do your laundry or even reply to email. In many ways, organizing yourself can do wonders for your life and relationships. 

Plus, as an ACU Student, you have a wide range of online resources like TimelyCare, an on-demand platform focused on helping you obtain the telemedicine, counseling and therapy sessions needed to gain the physical care and mental clarity to get your life on track. With the additional help of our Student Wellness Manager Abbey Green, and Student Engagement Manager LaShae Grottis, students like you can also take advantage of one-on-one wellness discussions and academic coaching meetings to help you learn a few tools and tricks to better organize various aspects of your life. 

Helpful tools to try out include: 

• Google Drive | A cloud-based platform with various applications designed to sync files, write documents, create presentations and even put important dates on your calendar.
• Time Timer | A visual timer that can be utilized to manage your daily essential tasks like cooking a meal, managing screen time, completing school assignments and so much more.  
• Microsoft 365 | A productivity software and cloud-based service focused on assisting students and working professionals to create, edit, and manage documents, presentations, and important deadlines. 
• A Basic Checklist | With a simple checklist on paper or your phone, you can outline what you need to do for the day and check off the list as you complete them. This can even give you greater satisfaction by crossing things off the list and your mind. 

Developing healthy habits as a college student may take time, dedication and determination. But their positive impact on your body, mind, and emotions is well worth the effort. So, start with tiny sustainable tweaks, build momentum, and commit to a healthier lifestyle for a happier and more fulfilling life. If you have any questions on how ACU Online can help you, call us at 855-219-7300 today!