Balance. It’s such a simple word, but it remains one of the most difficult things to maintain in one’s life. In particular, high school and college students alike have to juggle the stressors that accompany being enrolled full-time in academics, engaging in athletics, participating or leading extracurricular groups, and having a job; all whilst ensuring their own physical, social, and emotional wellness. 

  What common denominator is lacking here? Time. See, time poverty is something that students become increasingly aware of when gaining more responsibility as they transition from dependent adolescents, to young adults, to fully-fledged grown ups. 

  In this day in age, keeping up with this surplus of activities is practically required for college acceptance. Hence, to be productive at work and in life, it is paramount to develop habits that will support the lifestyle one wants to live. 

  This is Wellness 101; a nosedive into simple, but effective things one can do to meet their short-term and long-term goals—whether they revolve around academic achievement or personal health. 

Prioritization

  It’s easy to get caught up in trying to do everything at once, especially in the case of students who strive and thrive off of other’s validation. It could be to please one’s parent(s), to impress a college admissions officer, to meet some kind of internal expectation one has for themselves. 

  For whatever the reason, packing too much on one’s plate is such a simple thing to do–and stress subsequently will follow suit. That’s why it is important to ensure that the most pertinent aspects of a person’s life or work are put on high priority. 

  The most vital of which is one’s own physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It’s not possible for anyone to be at their best without safeguarding and promoting their own health. Simply put, this means exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet, getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and making time for relaxation. 

  Ostensibly, these things seem fairly straightforward and easy to maintain, however, many end up sacrificing these necessities–intentional or not. Essentially, it is all about self-awareness and actively making decisions that will ensure one is ready for action. 

  In fact, a study by the International Journal of Workplace Health Management found a 72 percent improvement in time management and workload completed on days when employees exercised.

  Moreover, happiness will become more frequent in one’s daily life, as exercise and nutritional foods impact people’s mood. The New York Times further elucidates on the proven fact that even ten minutes of exercise can have an extraordinary effect throughout the day. 

Cut Out Procrastination

  Given students have a plethora of responsibilities and to-dos that crowd their day-to-day lives, procrastination can be one of the most detrimental human instincts to plague their minds.

  Especially as society and colleges–specifically–become increasingly demanding, more often than not, students on a traditional schedule find the ‘Spring slump’ to be a time of overarching stress. Therefore, they are more prone to avoiding their tasks at all costs. 

  Mastery in avoiding procrastination entirely is very rarely achieved, however, there are steps that one can take everyday to avoid putting off work until 10:00 pm every night. 

  Tips and tricks for avoiding procrastination:

• Make a schedule.

Plan out what assignments need to be completed (and when)—ordering them in order of importance. 

• Set deadlines and goals.

Plan to finish an assignment the day before it is due, or try to complete it during the allotted time given in class. 

• Take breaks at set intervals. 

During these breaks, plan on getting a snack or going for a brisk walk. 

• Set rewards for oneself. 

Provide motivating incentives to getting a block of work done–which in turn also generates disciplined behaviors. 

Relay and Communicate

  The final Wellness 101 tip is on communication. Everybody has stuff going on in their personal lives that are bound to allow them to sympathize–or at least empathize with others. It is vital that when one isn’t feeling 100%, they communicate with appropriate parties.

  Taking a mental health day is becoming more and more accessible–even necessary–as time goes on. Moreover, allowing oneself to confide in others will aid in relieving some of that stress, whether that person’s a close friend, a trustworthy adult, school counselor, or therapist.

  Surely, these are all things that people have heard before. While it may seem redundant for this paper to echo these same ideas, the principle of the matter is that these things work. Repeating the vitality of these actions is symbolic of the consistency needed to ensure these daily tips provide the most beneficial effect possible. 

  Take this Pinterest quote to heart: “If you start now, you’ll begin seeing results one day earlier if you start tomorrow.”