Tag: Health

5 Simple Tips for a Happy and Healthy Lifestyle

Between pulling all-nighters, gaining the freshman 15, and overindulging in coffee, college life can be stressful and unhealthy. It’s no secret that these habits are detrimental to your mind and body in the long run. Try incorporating these five simple tips into your routine for a happy and healthy lifestyle.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

1—Meditate

When you’re feeling upset or anxious, release all the pent up negative energy through meditation. It provides time for introspection and relaxation to boost your mood. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and slowly take some deep breaths. Try going to a local park with a yoga mat and sitting calmly without the distraction of social media or school work for 15 minutes. Even a little bit goes a long way in improving your happiness and health.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

2—Stay hydrated

Coffee is a staple of college life, but too much negatively impacts your health. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if you are an avid coffee drinker. Carry a reusable water bottle as a reminder to constantly drink water when you’re on the go in between classes and other activities. It’s such a simple step with so many benefits that will add to a happy and healthy lifestyle.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

3—Exercise

Though your schedule may feel overbooked, routinely exercising is absolutely necessary for a happier and healthier lifestyle. You don’t have to engage in intensive training; try easing into a more active lifestyle with a 15-minute walk and 5 minutes of planks. Anything that gets your body moving and your heart rate up will improve your mood and productivity levels. Throw on a cute activewear outfit and start exercising your way to a happy and healthy lifestyle.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

4—Eat healthy foods

It may be easier to grab a slice of pizza or indulge in some late night junk food, but eating healthy foods is a key part of living a happy and healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a balance is crucial to feeling better about yourself and staying healthy. Try sticking to a regular eating schedule that involves a mix of all the different food groups.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

5—Appreciate the little things in life

When it feels like the entire world is against you, take a step back and appreciate the little things in life. It’s totally okay to have a bad day or even a bad week, but when it feels like everything is spiraling out of control, there’s always something positive hiding in the background. The best thing you can do is take a step back and think about all the little things that make you happy. Turn off your phone, go for a walk, and appreciate all the beautiful little things life has to offer.

How do you maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle? Leave a comment and let us know!

Everything You Need for a Great Yoga Session

Yoga is the ultimate workout that every college student should learn and practice. It is an exercise that has been around for thousands of years. Over the past few years, yoga has been trending among college students as it comes with a lot of benefits. Just like any other type of exercises, yoga can burn calories and tone muscles. This is why it is common for college students who want to stay in shape and sculpt their bodies. Furthermore, it is also a mind-body workout that acts as a form of meditation and relaxation through deep breathing and stretching.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

Perfect for college students, yoga can be done anywhere, indoor or out. Whether you are at home, in your dorm room, out in the fields, or even at the beach, all you need is enough space for your yoga mat. Additionally, yoga is the perfect exercise for beginners who want to try basic poses and stretches. It is also stress-relieving to combat your intense school work and beneficial for your mental health.

Sound interesting? Here are a few things you should bring to yoga to get you started.

1—Athletic workout clothes

Always opt for Spandex activewear or breathable sweat-proof material to keep you in style and flexible.

2—Water bottle 

A stylish water bottle can motivate you to drink more water and to keep you hydrated. Research has shown that most people don’t drink enough water daily.

3—Yoga mat 

 A yoga mat is optional, but it can keep you from sliding around in standing poses, and it helps cushion your body while in seated and lying positions.

4—Running shoes 

If you choose to wear shoes, opt for running shoes with good grip and arch support.

5—Your trusty hair tie

Last but not least, a hair tie is also an essential to keep your hair tidy and in place.

What is your favorite workout routine in college? Comment below!

4 Alternative Workouts for When the Gym Gets Boring

Love it or hate it, regardless of how we feel, going to the gym seems dreadful somedays. Treadmill, crunches, elliptical, leg press, stair master, squats, repeat. A repetitive routine starts to get tiring and “The gym bores” can easily set in. Here are four alternatives ways that you and your friends can enjoy working out outside of the gym.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

1—Cycling

Cycling may seem only beneficial to your major leg muscles, but there is actually plenty more that your body will thank you for. Cycling requires balance to stay on the bike, and balance stems from a strong core. It is important to maintain good posture and balance while moving from various positions of sitting, squatting, and standing while going at different speeds. The combinations on the bike vary during the hour long class and are equivalent to sprinting. Cycling is guaranteed to make you sweat a lot, so make sure to stay hydrated by bringing your own water bottle. Check to see if your school gym or home gym offers a cycling class or if there is a local studio near your campus. You can always take a bike ride outside and set your own pace.

2—Yoga

Aside from the obvious benefit that yoga is extremely relaxing, this skill requires a lot of balance that challenges your entire body. Yoga can improve your flexibility, which directly correlates to good posture and the elimination of body aches. The stretches incorporated in each exercise help to stretch your spine and result in positive long-term health results. Yoga improves arthritis pains, protects against herniated discs, and helps avoid osteoporosis. Yoga also increases blood flow throughout the body, which decreases your chances of heart attacks and strokes. Besides these amazing health benefits, yoga improves balance, focus, and overall happiness. Check this out for some yoga inspiration!

3—Rock climbing

Rock climbing is a fun alternative if your normal routine consists of building muscle. Don’t worry if you’re not a pro! There are a great deal of indoor rock climbing gyms that plenty of people go to for fun. Rock climbing focuses on all of your major muscle groups including core, upper body, and legs. As a result, it also encourages flexibility. Another great benefit is that climbing takes a lot of mental strength, improving your hand-eye coordination. Make sure to snag a cute pair of flexible pants before you head out.

4—Hiking

Get out into some fresh air with hiking! The benefits of hiking include stunning views, full lower body, and cardio challenges. You set the pace and determine the intensity of what trail to take. Ensure you have the proper shoes to hike in to avoid blisters. This is a great activity to do in a group or with one other person. Due to the many distractions along the way, hiking doesn’t feel like you’re working out which makes time fly by.

Do you have any creative ideas for an alternative work out? Show us on social media by tagging us at @Cfashionista!

Featured photo by Stella Fanega.

How to Stay Healthy Without Obsessing Over It

College is back in swing! That means that so are our unmonitored sleep schedules, fraternity parties, and late night pizza runs. With so much excitement starting up again, you may already be setting goals to stay healthy and fit this semester. While some people interpret staying “healthy” as not gaining weight, this can go in the other direction as well. No one wants to pack on the freshman 15, but losing it can be just as drastic.

In order to stay true to your fitness goals without going overboard, here are some healthy habits you can implement.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

Make sure there is flexibility in your workout plan. A good way to do this is to set ranges, rather than rules. Instead of saying you will work out four days a week, set a range. A good range could be two to five days a week or four to six. Make sure the maximum number is achievable for you and that the minimum allows you to back down when necessary.

Be mindful of what you are gaining from the experience of working out. While exercising can be a healthy way to relieve stress throughout the week, over-exercising can indicate an unhealthy body image or that you are avoiding something in your personal life. If you find yourself missing out on social gatherings or constantly beating yourself up about your physique, chances are your schedule could use a little wiggle-room.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

Try yoga. Yoga is a great form of exercise for people who are looking to be more mindful about their approach to working out. The practice of yoga combines strength, stretching, and balancing, with a heightened awareness of one’s physical and mental state. It is a practice of acceptance as well as improvement.

When setting goals regarding your diet, be responsive to your body’s needs. Ask yourself if you are feeling hungry and if the food you are craving will satisfy that hunger. If the answer is yes, then go for it!

Remember to stay hydrated during a workout and to eat before and after. You may also want to refrain from categorizing food as healthy or unhealthy. While some people like to stay away from certain fats or sugars to lose weight, doing too much of this could feed into an obsession similar to that of working-out too much.

Additionally, nutritionists say that withholding food from your body when you are hungry has the potential to slow down your metabolism and rev up your cravings for later.

Still, it is important to ask yourself what you are considering eating and why. Eating a few cookies is painless, but that doesn’t mean we’re advocating for you to eat the whole box. You can write down your meals in a planner to make sure you are not eating too little or too much.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

Ultimately, as long as you are in tune with your body, you can do your best to make good decisions with your food and exercise routine in college.

How do you create healthy habits in college? Let us know in the comments below!

4 Ways to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Without the Guilt

If you have a sweet tooth you must know how hard it is to stay away from decadent treats. Let’s face it, anything that completely satisfies those cravings is not going to be the healthiest choice. Personally, I need sweets in my life, but I am also into fitness and healthy living. It is frustrating for me to put these two together. I decided to find low-calorie, guilt-free foods that can satisfy these cravings.

1—Fruity desserts. Açaí has been around for a while as a healthy alternative for dessert. I went to a local organic restaurant where they have a variety of options. I chose an Açaí Bowl with pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, granola, bee pollen, and agave. It was a great mix of sweet flavors that also felt clean. Other fruity alternatives include smoothie bowls, frozen yogurt, and chocolate-dipped fruit. Just remember to keep your toppings healthy and to consume in moderation, otherwise, it becomes just as bad as any other dessert.

2—At home recipes. Grab a recipe book and get to the kitchen! You can also follow food blogs or Instagram accounts that post step-by-step videos of recipes. You’d be surprised by the endless possibilities, and it doesn’t have to be much work! Homemade, healthy sweets will keep you from grabbing the cookies your grandma brought over.

3—Low-calorie products. Sometimes you don’t have time to make your own treats, but you need something around for when the cravings hit. There are many products nowadays that allow us to indulge for fewer calories and better nutrients, such as Halo Top, Enlightened, Dole Dippers, Yasso, and Skinny Cow. I am currently obsessed with Skinny Cow’s 45-calorie, coffee-filled chocolates. I also tried Halo Top’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, for research purposes, of course. Other than the extra $3-4 spent, the only noticeable difference is that it is less creamy and the chunks of cookie dough are smaller. Despite this, it was delicious, satisfying, and worth it, especially for only 360 calories a pint.

4—Exercise. The key to success is achieving a balance. If you know that you need your sweets, then exercise! For example, I went on a two-mile jog to the grocery store to buy the Halo Top. I felt like I deserved to treat myself, but I also knew that I couldn’t just eat the whole pint because I had exercised. Exercising is not an excuse to eat anything you want. However, it does allow you to indulge a bit more without the guilt. Grab your sneakers, a fun sports bra and legging set, and get moving!

These alternatives have helped me stay happy and healthy during my fitness journey. If you like sweets, do not deprive yourself of them! Find a balance between your diet, exercising, and what you enjoy. I hope this helps my fellow dessert lovers as it has helped me!

Have you tried any of these? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Shop Local and Eat Local

As young professionals, it is important that we not only maintain a healthy lifestyle and give back to the community we live in. We are in the transformative period of our lives when we become independent and are contributing members of the economy. Make a positive influence by shopping and eating locally. I’m extremely passionate about shopping at local farmer’s markets for my food. I’m helping my community and developing a healthier lifestyle because of it. So slip on a pair of your favorite flat mules, throw on a cute kimono, and bring your straw tote because we are taking a trip to the market.

Shopping locally for your food builds community. I know the people that farm my food, and my money is not being lost in the corporate world. There’s nothing I love more than meeting new people and seeing their faces light up because I purchase their products and ask about their family business. It truly warms my heart knowing that I am supporting local families.

As I said previously, it is healthier for you to buy locally. Everything is fresher and has higher nutritional value. The people who you buy from can tell you exactly how it was grown and the process it went through to get to your straw tote. The more steps between you and the source of your food, the higher the risk of contamination.

Personally, one of my favorite benefits of shopping locally is that most of the time it is cheaper. I know this may be shocking to hear considering how expensive it is at the store. The truth of the matter is, it is cheaper (and healthier) to buy foods when they are at the peak of their season. I like to buy in bulk and throw them in the freezer so I have them for future seasons.

What do you love about shopping and eating locally? Leave me a note in the comments below!

Five Ways to Feel Your Best This Semester

Created with Simply Summer’s Eve™

Let’s get real here: being a student is hard. As a woman in college, it’s not uncommon to feel anxious, stressed, or just plain not in control of your life—and allowing your wellness to fall to the back burner can only exacerbate these feelings. So this year, consider the new semester a fresh start. Your GPA is high, your tan is strong, you are thriving—and you’re going to keep it that way. Keep reading for our top self-care tips to be the best version of you this semester.

 Move Daily

“Netflix and chill” is our favorite mode, too, but unfortunately walking to and from the kitchen doesn’t actually count as exercise. Even if it’s not a daily activity, schedule 30 minutes of activity into your schedule a few times a week. It’s amazing what endorphins can do for your brain power, and you’ll be thanking yourself when your GPA suddenly starts to fly off the charts.

Take Small Steps Toward Personal Care

Yes, this should be a given—but when you’re running on two hours of sleep and you have back-to-back classes for six hours straight, sometimes wellness isn’t your first priority. Our best tip? Make your routine on-the-go ready. A simple kit with basics like a toothbrush, deodorant, and Simply Summer’s Eve™ Cleansing Cloths will ensure you feel your best at all times—no matter what. And for those days where you may have a few minutes to spare for a relaxing shower, pamper yourself with a fresh cleanser like the Simply Summer’s Eve™  Gentle Cleansing Wash which features a luxurious, soft foam infused with skin-loving botanicals.

Eat Well

We know an everything-free diet can be expensive, so focus on the feasible and come up with a plan to incorporate healthy foods into your diet. Whether it’s adding greens into your smoothie or choosing almonds over chips and fruit over cookies. Small changes can make a huge impact on the way you feel.

Build Relationships

The stress of college can make you feel like crawling into a hole and hiding from the world at times—but when you do feel that way, you should do exactly the opposite. Everything you want is outside of your comfort zone. If you’re overwhelmed, fight the anti-social voice in your head and reach out to the people you love. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee together or hosting a full-out movie marathon–these moments are the best medicine for your anxious soul.

Sleep

Okay, so you probably don’t need a reminder to get your z’s—but those 16 hours you slept after that all-nighter you pulled don’t exactly equal out. Try establishing a routine that’s not only healthier, but easier to follow as well. Your first step would be reading then going to bed an hour earlier to get a head start on your mornings. Who knows? You may even start showing up to that 8 a.m.

Your Most Important College Relationship Is With Your Mental Health

I’ve always been a sucker for romance. I was mesmerized by the idea that I could find a relationship like you’d find in a typical chick flick or novel. But it turns out that as I closed the door on each of my relationships during college, I began to realize that I needed to create a positive, everlasting relationship with myself.

I know firsthand how hard it can be to take a step back and do things for yourself, so in case you needed some motivation, here are a few things you can do to end up in an empowering relationship with yourself!

1—Find people that make your life exciting. Put on some red lipstick and your favorite black dress, because it’s time for a girls’ night! Throughout my most challenging, eventful times in my life, I was fortunate enough to have my best friends along for the ride. Take this time to invest in friendships that are positive and complement your life.

2—Treat yourself. Sweep yourself off your feet! Enjoy a beach day, read an empowering book, or go to the spa. Do the things you love doing because you deserve to go the extra mile for yourself.

3—Embrace your flaws and enforce self-love. No one’s perfect, but in the end, there is only one you, and you have to embrace yourself for all that you are. If you take the time to step outside your comfort zone, chances are you’ll learn to dance your way through life like no one’s watching.

4—Celebrate your accomplishments. Set your goals high and work hard in everything that you do. Finally made cookies without almost burning your apartment down? Celebrate! Enjoy every accomplishment!

5—Travel. Buy that plane ticket! Throw on your favorite bikini and enjoy a vacation. There’s nothing better than adventuring in a new environment. Traveling allows you to open your mind and experience things outside of your everyday routine.

6—Learn to control your life. In the end, you are the director of your own movie, and ultimately you can edit it however you want. Control what you can control and let go of what you can’t.

I leave you here and hope that you’ll embark on this journey with yourself. Nothing is more important for your mental health or makes you more beautiful than being happy with yourself. Your happiness and confidence come from so much more than finding the perfect guy or girl. Listen to yourself and learn what it is that excites, motivates, and even scares you. Enjoy every memory and take every picture. Buy those Ray-Bans you’ve been eyeing and eat the food you’re craving! You are your own soul mate. Your life is what you make it, so why not make it amazing?

What is your favorite thing to do as a benefit to your mental health? Let us know in the comments below!

5 Tips for Staying Fashionably Healthy

As summer races towards the finish line, so do the days of leisure and snacking. Going back to school means switching into a health routine once again and some of us aren’t ready for the sudden change. I have found a few simple steps to help ease into it, and with a little style!

1—Dress the part. The first step to switching back into a health routine—and any Style Guru’s favorite part—is finding adorable active clothing that any Fashionista would love. Kate Hudson’s adorable active line, Fabletics, is a new favorite for me. I love her variety of patterns and colors for every athletic shopper. Her products are created for different forms of activity—running, biking, yoga, and even just walking around campus. This brand of activewear is comfortable, affordable, and fashionable all in one.

2—Create a routine. The next step to take is to begin creating your actual routine. Basing your workout routine around classes and other extra curricular activities is key. I use an agenda to keep track of all of my important times and dates so I can create an everyday workout time slot. Starting a routine will allow you more opportunities to go to the gym. Going to the gym is hard, but finding enough time is even harder.

3—Drink lots of water. Another step is drinking water. Water is the healthiest thing for your body. Water keeps your skin hydrated and clear, and water keeps your body in balance. Investing in a reusable water bottle is the best way to keep track of the amount of water you are drinking, and to make sure that you always have some with you.

4—Workout with a buddy. Roommates, classmates, sorority sisters, and any other people on campus make great workout partners. I find working out with other people pushes me to work harder. The extra push during the middle of a workout is the best motivation, especially from another person with similar goals as you.

5—Set weekly goals. Setting a goal for each week is a great inspiration to lead you toward your end outcome. This not only creates a motivation for you, but also is a great way to accomplish simple tasks, or workouts to eventually achieve your final health goals.

Being a college student, I have found that a healthy routine keeps me focused during the year, and makes me feel confident. Staying healthy isn’t always the easiest or most fun, but it is the most rewarding in the end.

Do you have any tips to help stay fit during the school year? Let me know in the comments below!

4 Ways to Dive Back Into a Healthy Lifestyle After Summer Vacation

Lying on the beach, checking to see if your tan lines have become more defined every five minutes, and then realizing that summer vacation is almost over? Does this mean it won’t be acceptable to have ice cream as a daily snack anymore? Or for your only exercise to be balancing on a pool float and dancing at the nightly bonfire? Before the panic sets in, relax. You can ease your way back into a healthy lifestyle with these few simple changes.

1—Keep yourself accountable. Make a list of goals you would like to achieve and write them down on your phone or in a small portable notebook. Plan the habits needed to achieve them into your day and check them off daily, so you can start to build a healthy routine again.

2—Find a buddy. We all know that going at this alone can be intimidating, so find someone who has the same mindset as you and keep each other motivated. Scheduling a workout with a friend makes you more likely to follow through since they will be affected too if you cancel.

3—Meal prep. Healthy food is always easier to reach for when it is already prepared for you. Even if it isn’t full meals, having fresh fruit and veggies washed, cut up, and ready to snack on will keep you from reaching for more unhealthy options.

4—Don’t forget your mental health. School can be stressful, so it’s important to start dealing with your stress now. Try taking up meditation or yoga as a way to self-reflect and relax. Another way to let go of your stress is to write it down in a journal or find a solid support system that you can turn to.

Do you have different ways of getting yourself physically and mentally prepared for the intimidating school year ahead? Let me know in the comments below!