It’s easier to stay young as you grow old than you may be thinking. In this guide, we’ll show you how to do it.
As you move through your college years, adulthood will start to rear its head. First, slowly. Then, rapidly. It can be a difficult time – especially when it seems like everyone around you is suddenly getting married and having kids. But don’t worry! You can stay young as you grow old by keeping the right parts of your psyche young. Here are some tips to help you out!
1. Keep your mind active and engaged.
As a college student, it’s important to keep your mind active and engaged. This means challenging yourself mentally, participating in class discussions, and reading around your topic of interest. Don’t forget to take breaks too – it’s important to give your brain a rest every now and then!
One great way to keep your mind active is by engaging in extracurricular activities. These can be anything from playing on a sports team to joining a club or society. Engaging in extracurricular activities can help you learn new skills, make new friends, and network with professionals.
Another great way to keep your mind active is by networking with professionals. This can be done through informational interviews, attending career fairs, or meeting professionals through social media. Networking with professionals can help you learn more about different careers, get advice on pursuing your dream career, and find internship and job opportunities.
2. Stay physically active.
College can be a busy time, but it’s important to make time for yourself and your health. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and stay healthy, so make sure you fit in some physical activity each day.
It’s also important to stay physically active while you’re in college. This means getting regular exercise, eating healthy foods, and drinking plenty of water. It’s easy to let your health slip when you’re busy with schoolwork, but it’s important to make time for yourself.
3. Eat healthy and stay hydrated.
Speaking of eating healthy, it’s important to make sure you’re putting good fuel into your body. Eating healthy foods is very important to staying healthy in college. Make sure you’re getting enough protein, fruits, and vegetables, and avoid unhealthy foods.
Drinking plenty of water is also crucial, especially when you’re studying for exams or writing papers. Dehydration can cause all sorts of problems, from headaches to fatigue. Make sure you always have a water bottle handy! It can be tough to eat well when you’re on a tight budget, but it’s worth it in the long run!
4. Get enough sleep.
A lot of students try to get by on minimal sleep, but this is not a good idea. Getting enough sleep is crucial for academic success – not to mention your health! Make sure you create a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
College students should aim to get at least eight hours of sleep per night, as this is crucial for academic success. When you’re well-rested, you’re able to concentrate better in class and retain information more effectively. In addition, lack of sleep can lead to decreased productivity, impaired judgment, and a weakened immune system. So make sure you get enough z’s – it will help you in the classroom and beyond!
5. Avoid stress as much as possible:
Stress is another enemy of college students. It can cause all sorts of problems, from poor grades to insomnia. There are many ways to avoid stress, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises. Find what works best for you and stick with it!
One thing to consider is that the people you hang around and the decisions you make can create unnecessary stress on top of what is already there in your classes, homework, exams, and projects. Staying out too late to party when you know you have a test in the morning that you’ve barely studied for: that’s unnecessary stress!
You’re not going to be able to control all the stress that you have to deal with. That’s why it’s vital that you do control what is within your grasp.
6. Don’t dwell on the negative:
College can be tough sometimes, but don’t dwell on the negative. Remember that things will get better with time – and there’s no use in stressing out about things you can’t control anyway! Try to focus on the positive aspects of life and you’ll be much happier overall.
When college students dwell on the negative, it shuts down their journey for success. For example, a student who doesn’t do well on a test might start thinking about how he’s not smart enough and he’ll never get a good grade.
This kind of thinking leads to feeling sorry for oneself, which in turn means that the student won’t study as hard for the next test. As a result, he’ll probably do even worse, leading to more negative thoughts and a downward spiral.
Other examples of how dwelling on the negative can unravel progress include getting behind in classwork, procrastinating on assignments, and neglecting personal relationships. In order to be successful in college, it’s important to focus on the positive and take action instead of dwelling on negative thoughts.
7. Embrace change
College is a time of change – it’s a time to try new things, meet new people, and figure out who you are. Don’t be afraid to let go of who you were in high school and experiment with new things.
Attend things you wouldn’t normally attend. Maybe that’s a different church or a secular political group. Engage in discussions, even ones that challenge you. You’re going to change a lot from the ages of 18-25.
You’re supposed to! But if you’re not introducing new thoughts and ideas, you won’t have a chance to figure out who you really are. That’s why it is vital that you accept the changes to come and get to know the person who emerges as a result.
8. Surround yourself with positive people.
College is a time of growth and exploration, and it’s important to surround yourself with people who will support your growth. It stands to reason. If you’re going to be positive, then you have to have positive support. Because not everything that’s going to happen to you and your friends is positive.
Being able to get through the tough times depends on those you have cheering you on in your corner. Otherwise, it’s too easy to succumb to pressure. Negativity has led to more college dropouts than anything else. Don’t become one of them!
9. Laughter is one of the best medicines.
College can be stressful, but it’s important to take time to laugh often. Make time for activities that make you happy and help you relax. College campuses have really been under fire on the humor front. They’ve scared off everyone from Chris Rock to Jerry Seinfeld.
The fear is that heightened sensitivity makes it impossible to laugh at something without having to apologize for it later. Don’t let it control you. Find people who you connect with. Where there is a sense of community, there are opportunities to laugh. And you will find them together!
10. Take care of yourself mentally and emotionally.
Slowly but surely, our modern society is starting to destigmatize mental illness. College can be tough, both mentally and emotionally.
If you have unresolved or suppressed issues, college stressors will only make them worse. Be sure to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising, and exploring new interests and hobbies that command your passion.
You’re in a four-year marathon, minimum. It’s too easy to burn out without taking time for yourself and the things that you enjoy.
11. Most importantly, be yourself.
The most important thing is to be yourself – don’t try to be someone else because you’ll only end up disappointed. There are many ways college students can be themselves without worrying about what others might say.
A good way to start is by getting involved in clubs and organizations that interest you. You can also find friends who share your interests and values. Spending time with these people will help you feel more comfortable being yourself.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that people change over time. College is a time when many people explore new things and discover who they really are.
So, even if you don’t feel like you fit in right now, there’s a good chance you will eventually find your niche. Ultimately, the most important thing is to be true to yourself. If you do that, then you’ll be much happier in college – and in life.
Stay Young As You Grow Old With These Tips
Maintaining your youth as you grow older can be a challenge, but it’s definitely not impossible. By keeping your mind active and engaged, staying physically active, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, avoiding stress as much as possible, and surrounding yourself with positive people, you’ll be well on your way to aging gracefully.
Don’t forget to laugh often and take care of yourself mentally and emotionally too – after all, these are some of the most important aspects of staying young at heart! Got anything that’s helped you stay in touch with your younger self? Share in the comments section below!
Aric Mitchell's work appears regularly here at 4tests.com and across the web for sites, such as The Inquisitr and Life'd. A former high school teacher, his passion for education has only intensified since leaving the classroom. At 4tests, he hopes to continue passing along words of encouragement and study tips to ensure you leave school ready to face an ever-changing world.
