General Health

Healthy Eating & Living

You are here to be a student, but we know that there is much more to your day-to-day than going to class and working on homework.

Nutrition

With demanding class and work schedules, college students can easily fall into the convenience of foods that are often full of sodium, fats, and preservatives. Good nutrition is important, and eating right will help you feel better physically and emotionally, which will positively impact your performance as a student. 

Things you can do to step up your nutrition game:

• Get a Personalized Meal Plan. 
• Take a Cooking Class: Culinary Corner is the demonstration kitchen located on the first floor of the UND Wellness Center. You'll learn cooking skills and how to make healthy meal choices. 
• Book a Nutrition Presentation: Various nutrition presentations are available and are led by a Registered Dietitian, dietetics student, or Health Promotion Peer Educator. 

Sleep

You may have heard that college is all about getting little sleep, taking naps, and drinking tons of coffee and energy drinks. Some may choose to make these choices, but it certainly is not a requirement for graduation! In fact, you will likely perform better academically if you make sure to get enough sleep (which likely will mean consuming caffeine only in moderation).

Here are few tips:

1. Keep a sleeping routine by going to bed at the same time, including the weekends. By being consistent with your sleep, your brain will rejuvenate faster and better.
2. Make more time for sleeping by getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep.
3. Take short naps, but limit them to 20-30 minutes and take them before 3 pm
4. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before going to bed because these stimulants can disrupt your sleep cycle.
5. Adjust the lights, wind down and quiet your mind by a relaxing activity. Try to avoid distracting activities like checking your e-mail, watching TV or talking on the phone.
6. Don't go to bed hungry or thirsty; your stomach will keep you up longer. Also, don't go to bed on a full stomach, you may have to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, only further adding to sleep deprivation.
7. Try such calming snacks as milk, yogurt, oatmeal or bananas.

Sleep Deprivation

Not getting enough of that needed sleep? You can consider yourself sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation is a prolonged period of time without sleep or insufficient amounts of sleep.