Tips for Staying Healthy in Affordable BYU-I Women's Housing

College can be exciting yet challenging, and the fast pace of it all can impact your health. That’s why caring for yourself is so important for staying balanced. Even during the busiest semesters, staying healthy is possible by building the right environment and habits.

This article shares tips for maintaining your health during your stay in affordable BYU-I women's housing at Hillcrest Townhouses.

Create a Comfortable Living Space

Your environment plays a major role in how you feel day to day. Creating a space where you can relax is a good start to boosting your mental and physical health.

There are many ways you can create a calm, comfortable space.

For example:

Declutter and organize: Tidy up your space by clearing off your desk or by donating the clothes in your closet you haven’t worn in a year.
Follow a cleaning routine: Wipe down your counters once a week to keep your space feeling fresh.
Decorate your space: Comfy bedding and a warm desk lamp or string lights can make your room feel more comfortable.
Buy houseplants: A spider plant on your nightstand or a peace lily in your windowsill can clear the air and bring more life to your space.
Designate study and rest areas: Keep your textbooks at your desk and reserve your bed for sleeping so your brain can relax when it’s time to.

Eat Well on a Student Budget

Nutritious meals can make a big difference in your overall health. Eating healthy supports your physical and mental health, and it’s entirely possible to eat well even while on a student budget.

Here are budget-friendly ways you can eat well:

Buy affordable groceries: Choose budget-friendly staples at the grocery store, such as eggs, rice, beans, pasta, oats, fruits, and vegetables. This way, you can save money and ensure you have the ingredients for balanced meals.
Plan your meals for busy days: Set aside a day to plan your favorite meals and prepare them for the upcoming week. Whether it’s fried egg rice or pasta with veggies, meal-prepping can stretch your budget and help you stick to eating balanced meals.
Cook with roommates or neighbors: Cooking and sharing meals with your roommates and neighbors can help you spend less on groceries. It can also boost your mood by spending time with friends.
Shop smart: Use coupons and student discounts whenever you can. Choosing store brands over name brands can also help you save money—and they usually taste just as good.
Snack wisely: Carry healthy snacks with you, such as fruits, yogurt, and almonds, so you can skip past the vending machines.

Stay Active

Exercise is key to maintaining your health, and even squeezing in short workouts can boost your mood and keep your body strong. Fitting workouts into your busy college schedule can be as simple as setting aside 20 minutes for movement, just as you would with your homework.

Here are ways you can stay active:

Fitness classes: Try taking a free fitness class at BYU-I. From high-energy cardio classes to gentle yoga sessions, there is a wide range of classes for you to choose from.
At-home workouts: Make the most of your space with body-weight exercises and resistance bands. You might also try following along to a fitness YouTube video.
Walking paths: Stroll the paths in and around Rexburg to enjoy the fresh air and get your body moving.
Stretch breaks: You can stay energized by taking breaks to stretch between classes or study sessions.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is the foundation for thriving in college. Managing stress, staying connected with others, and asking for help when you need it can help you stay mentally balanced throughout the semester.

Manage Stress

Stress is a natural part of college, but you can manage it by including stress-management strategies in your routine.

Try the following:

Meditate and practice breathing exercises
Replace screen time before bed with reading or journaling
Maintain a routine that focuses on study as well as rest

Stay Social

Spend time regularly with your friends, roommates, and classmates. Try joining a club, grabbing a coffee with a friend before class, or forming a study group, as it can improve your mental well-being.

Ask for Support

Get in touch with friends, roommates, and campus resources if you’re feeling overwhelmed. A short conversation can reduce stress and offer you support during busy or overwhelming moments.

Create Healthy Routines With Your Roommates

There are many ways to support your well-being while living with roommates. When everyone supports and motivates each other to keep healthy routines, your living space becomes a safe space for you to unwind in.

Here are some ideas:

Talk openly: Being honest about cleaning and sharing spaces can help avoid misunderstandings.
Share chores: Make it a habit to tidy up regularly, including wiping counters, vacuuming, and taking out the trash.
Respect downtime: Agree on study and sleep times so you can recharge without interruptions.
Plan dinner nights: Cook one of your favorite meals together weekly and enjoy spending time with friends.

Healthy Living at Hillcrest Townhouses

Staying healthy throughout your college journey is both achievable and affordable in BYU-I women’s student housing. At Hillcrest Townhouses, you can balance your budget, studies, and overall well-being.