"Taking Small Steps: My Journey to Better Health and Energy as a Graduate Student"

 

#Zenify #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #Selfcare #HealthyLiving #Mindfulness #StressRelief #FitnessJourney #HealthyHabits

I’m a 26-year-old graduate student, and if I’m being honest, my lifestyle had been far from ideal. Between late-night study sessions and stress-eating during exams, I became increasingly sluggish and, well, fat. It wasn’t drastic, but enough that I noticed. I’d look in the mirror each morning, face pale from another sleepless night, and think, "I really need to change this." But I kept putting it off, hoping things would just magically improve. Of course, they didn’t.

One day, after a particularly exhausting morning of dragging myself to class, I realized my energy levels had hit rock bottom. I was always tired, always listless. My friends even started asking me if I was okay, noting the dark circles under my eyes and the general lack of enthusiasm in my voice. That’s when it hit me: I needed to take control of my health, or things would only get worse.

I started small, browsing articles about health and fitness in my free time. The more I read, the clearer it became that I had to focus on two main aspects—diet and exercise. I wasn’t eating well, mostly relying on fast food and instant noodles for convenience. And exercise? Well, I hadn’t worked out in months.

I stumbled upon a couple of health apps, and that was when things began to change. I downloaded one focused on diet and nutrition, and it completely altered my perspective on food. The app showed me how to balance my meals, tracking calories and nutrients. I started to cut down on processed foods, opting for more vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. I couldn’t believe how much better I felt just by eating better. Slowly, my energy levels improved, and I didn’t feel as sluggish throughout the day.

The second app I used was focused on exercise. It catered to beginners, which was perfect for me, because I wasn’t exactly in great shape. It gave me a mix of simple cardio exercises and strength training, all doable from the comfort of my apartment. I started with 15-minute sessions, and although it was tough at first, I gradually worked my way up to 30 minutes, then 45. The app tracked my progress, and seeing those small gains week after week motivated me to keep going.

The biggest change, though, was my mindset. I had always thought of health as something you either have or you don’t, something I was just unlucky with. But the apps taught me that it’s a learning process, something you build over time. As I started to implement small habits like drinking more water, sleeping earlier (most nights), and walking instead of taking the bus, I realized that every little step counts.

Now, a few months in, I’m still not perfect. I still stay up late sometimes, and I’m not at my ideal weight yet. But I’m healthier, more energetic, and above all, I’m learning to take care of myself. And that feels like a win.