The Importance of Healthy Habits in High School

As a high school student, it can be challenging to balance school, extracurricular activities, and a social life. This usually ends up with students trying to do too much and leaving little time to prioritize healthy habits.

But establishing your healthy habits early can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.

If you find yourself struggling — and it’s totally understandable if you are — here are a few tips you can try to incorporate into your high school life.

Move Your Body!

Keeping a regular exercise routine is hugely beneficial, both for your physical and mental health. Try to incorporate at least a little physical activity into every day. It can be as simple as taking a walk or riding your bike around the neighborhood, or taking a workout class with friends. 

Creating an exercise routine can also help make physical activity a regular part of your life. Moving around is also a great opportunity to take a break and step away from studying, work, and other obligations.

Fuel Yourself Properly

Healthy meals and balanced nutrition is critical to fueling your body and mind! Your body’s going through a lot of changes (thanks puberty), and you want to make sure you’re well fueled to handle whatever comes your way.

Try to plan meals in advance when you can, or opt for nutritious options when eating on-the-go. Focus on incorporating whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, and limit processed foods and sugary drinks.

Mental Health & Stress Management

High school can be a stressful time, but developing strategies to manage stress can help promote mental health and overall well-being.

We’ve talked before about exercises in mindfulness and prioritizing self-care. As always, don’t be afraid to talk to a trusted adult, counselor, or even your peers about any stress or anxiety you may be facing. Sometimes, just taking the time to talk about it can help you work through complicated feelings around issues.

Prioritize Your Sleep and Rest

Sleep is so important! It can have a huge impact on you physically and academically. The amount of sleep you get each night can make the difference between feeling ready to take on the day and sitting on the verge of feeling overwhelmed.

If you don’t already have one, try to establish a sleep routine. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day, although sometimes variations are unavoidable. Create healthy sleep habits, like unwinding properly before bed, limiting screen time, and making sure to limit the number of things that could disrupt your sleep.

It’s hard to prioritize taking care of yourself when there are so many things vying for your time and attention. Establishing and maintaining healthy habits can make it easier to sustain yourself and prevent burnout while you navigate the demands high school puts on you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and never forget that you — your health and wellbeing — should be your priority.