Healthy lifestyle tips for students

CEBU, Philippines - According to Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, a professor of neurosurgery and physiological science at UCLA Medical School, “Diet, exercise, and sleep have the potential to alter our brain health and mental function.” Pinilla has spent years studying the effects of food, exercise and sleep on the brain.

The food we eat affects our mental function. So if you ever wonder why you are having a hard time understanding your lessons and remembering concepts and theories even if you have studied so hard for it, then your problem might be traced to the food you’ve been eating and what activities you’ve been doing. These are likely to have contributed to your mental sluggishness.

If you are a student struggling in your academic life, you better consider what kinds of food will help in your studies and what you must keep away from. Following are some foods to help improve your mental power:

1. Fish. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are very essential to proper neural function. These healthy fats are, therefore, important for having a healthy brain. These help a lot in mental focusing and, as a result, boost the mind to have a better grasp of the topics or subjects being studied. According to webmd.com, eating at least two regular servings of fish in a week is good for the brain – and the heart, too.

2. Apple. This fruit contains antioxidants that enhance memory function. Among students, eating an apple during break times at school can help to improve both comprehension and retention of class lessons. For ageing people, it can help in avoiding the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

3.  Dark Chocolate. It may not be the most delicious type of chocolate, but it tastes chocolate just the same. Dark chocolate contains antioxidant properties and natural stimulants like caffeine that can enhance concentration. The thing, however, is not overdo eating dark chocolate because, like with anything, too much is never good. According to webmd.com, you can eat up to an ounce a day.

On the other hand, the most favorite foods among students which in fact you must avoid or take only in the least amounts are junk foods. According to Dr. Harish Shetty, a renowned Mumbai-based psychiatrist, excessive consumption of junk food, especially those containing high additives can lead to low Vitamin B12 levels, a nutrient that plays a vital role in the normal functioning of the brain. Junk foods bring down the ability to concentrate. Most, if not all, junk foods are empty food – offering nothing of good value but mere taste.

It will also help to develop the habit of laughing heartily. The saying “Laughter is the best medicine” is not an empty cliché. Laughter primes up the brain. It relieves stress and alleviates depression, as well. Listening to jokes and working out funny punch lines, according to helpguide.org, activates areas of the brain vital to learning and creativity. So, it might be a good idea for students to seek comic company before an important exam.

The tips given here are only a few of the many ways that students can adopt in order to improve academic performance. The students themselves shall continually try to discover what other things they must do or avoid, in order to excel at school.