Time Management & Your Health

Are you interested in learning about the importance of time management and your overall health?

During my freshman year, I faced many challenges trying to learn how to survive independently, away from my family. I was used to my family deciding what we would have for dinner, such as homemade lasagna with salad and garlic bread. It never occurred to me that I would be in control of my meal decisions one day. My first year at SU was not typical because of COVID-19. The rules were so strict, such as obeying the guidelines of always being at least 6 feet away from people. I enjoyed going to Commons Dining because I realized I could still get social interaction if I was socially distanced.

After my first year of living in the dorms and transitioning into my sophomore year, I started to get more involved on-campus. I became a resident assistant and a nursing assistant at Campus Health and joined several clubs. My days were so full that I started to eat unhealthily and did not prioritize mealtime. I thought very little about what I ate. I would typically eat Chick-fil-A and Cookout because they were close to my dorm room. After studying, attending clubs, and working all day, I sometimes forgot to eat until late at night.

Eventually, I realized that my eating habits were impacting me negatively. I would be irritable in the morning towards my friends and need more energy to perform well in school. I struggled to perform daily tasks like going to the gym and working my night shift because I was tired. I noticed my friends utilized planners to record their busy schedules and make time for self-care. They convinced me that using a planner would help keep me focused on managing my time. Once I organized my day in the planner, I found I could make time for myself. I could go to Commons regularly and enjoy a balanced meal, not the fast food I had been eating. I also got to explore new foods while on a budget. This inspired me to explore cooking for myself. I contacted Housing and Residence Life, asking to be switched into an apartment where I learned how to cook simple recipes in the kitchen and properly store food.

I noticed a change in my mood. I was excited to start the day with a morning run and eat a bowl of oatmeal with orange juice. When I began prioritizing my time and eating a healthy diet, I had more energy throughout the day. This experience helped me gain more knowledge about different resources that can help improve my diet and mealtime.

Consider these healthy tips to manage your time and health:

• Set up times to eat and avoid skipping meals.

• Start the day off with a balanced meal.

• For consistent energy, eat regularly throughout the day – every 3 to 5 hours.

• Avoid distractions such as watching TV and being on your phone, which can prevent you from eating at a reasonable time.

• Prioritize your To-do- List tasks every day to avoid stress or anxiety

• Plan out a grocery list to shop smarter and limit unnecessary purchases

• Celebrate Successes