As you know, college is a time for your children to create new friendships, join new activities, and live more independently. While it is exciting, it can also be extremely nerve-wracking as you wonder if they will be safe and find themselves at this new place.
To help lessen the stress, here are some ways to give your kids a healthy start to this new chapter in their life.
1.) Pack Healthy Dorm Friendly Snacks:
Good nutrition will help your children stay focused and energized throughout the day. Studying and test taking will come easier if they have healthy options on hand.
Here is a list of healthy dorm friendly snacks to include:
Mixed Nuts
Fresh Fruit
Fresh Vegetables
Rice Cakes
Plain Popcorn
Almond Butter
Dried Fruit
Organic Dark Chocolate
Edamame
Dried Seaweed
Hummus
Lara bars
2.) Invest in a Water Bottle
This will help keep them hydrated while they are busy running around campus!
3.) Purchase a “Gratitude Journal”
People who express gratitude and appreciation usually have less stress and a better outlook on life. Sending your child off to college with a gratitude journal can make a huge difference in their self-esteem, stress level, and outlook on life.
Try giving your child a guided gratitude journal such as From Gratitude to Bliss: A Journey in Health and Happiness by Lorraine Miller. This guided gratitude journal will help students understand the concept of gratitude and teach them how to incorporate it every day.
4.) Send Handwritten Notes & Care Packages
We all love getting mail and kids are no different. Send them notes of encouragement or health packs from time to time to showcase that you are thinking about them and care about their well being. They will appreciate it!
All of these small suggestions can help your child thrive during their new college adventure. It will also leave you with a sense of relief knowing that you sent them off with the right tools to succeed.
Lindsey Smith, known as the “food mood girl” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life. She is also the author of “Junk Foods & Junk Moods: Stop Craving and Start Living!” Connect with Smith via her Web site, www.FoodMoodGirl.com, on Facebook and Twitter @LindseySmithHHC.
