Adopting a healthy lifestyle may not be your first priority when you think about juggling assignments, studying for exams and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life. However, it is important to develop healthy habits early to help you succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Imagine for a moment that you pulled an all-nighter to study for an exam, chugged down three energy drinks to stay awake in the process, and have eaten nothing but fast food because, what else is open 24 hours a day? For some, this sounds like a Tuesday. But what happens next? You managed to complete your exam, but the moment it is over your body slowly starts to decline. No sleep, poor nutrition, and poor self-care can be a perfect equation for disaster.

Here are a few healthy habits you can start now using some of the hidden gems of wellness at Fresno State:

Get Enough Sleep. While eight hours a night is recommended, it isn’t always possible (or necessary) for every person. Explore how much sleep allows you to feel rested and alert and make that a priority. Feeling the two o’clock slump? Squeeze in a power nap. Visit the Recharge Zone in the lower level of the University Student Union (USU) and schedule a 20 or 50 minute power nap in one of our infamous nap pods.

Get Physical. Physical activity not only helps you stay in shape, but also combats stress, depression and helps improve your sleep. Even on the most chaotic of days, you can embrace exercise by taking the stairs, walking a new path to class or squeezing in a visit to the Student Rec Center on campus.

Eat, but Eat Well. When chaos hits, it’s easy to bypass a meal or settle for a fast choice rather than a healthy choice. Looking for healthier options to fill your refrigerator? Stop by the Student Cupboard located in Industrial Technology 144 to access free groceries. You can also snag a piece of fruit during our weekly Fresh Fruit Breaks which happen every Thursday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and rotate between the Student Rec Center and the space outside of the USU.

Maintain Your Mental Health. Some might argue that stress and college are one in the same. But stress that isn’t managed well can take a toll on your mental health. Take frequent breaks, reward yourself, try taking a meditation class at the Student Health and Counseling Center, or seek out counseling services. Let’s Talk is a free and anonymous mental health service that allows students to drop-in for support as needed. This resource is available Monday through Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Kremen Education Room 397 and in Industrial Technology Room 242.

For more tips on building healthy habits, read our weekly Healthy Bulldogs column or follow us on social media @FSHealthPAWS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Healthy Bulldogs is written by the staff of the Student Health and Counseling Center to encourage Fresno State students to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle.