Free healthy living program for students

The Change Health Community Program (CHCP) equips participants with healthy and active living skills to thrive at the U of A. Alongside campus partners such as the Office of the Dean of Students, University Health Centre, Campus and Community Recreation and the Campus Food Bank, this program is based out of the Department of Family Medicine and is free for students. 

I sat down with Amanda Radil, research associate and CHCP operations lead, and Charice Wen, registered dietitian and CHCP community coordinator, to learn more about the program and to hear their healthy living tips for students.

How do you define “healthy living” for students, and what areas are most important?

Amanda: Healthy living for students is all about creating balance in life so that you don’t get overwhelmed. It’s thinking about the simple things you can do so that you can live your best life and do the things you want to do when you want to do them. 

Students have unique demands and opportunities. For example, students tend to have a bit more flexibility with how they use their time and schedule compared to others, but they also must manage the unique demands of studying. 

We think of health very holistically. The CHCP focuses on four important areas: physical activity, nutrition, mental health and social connection. This is not only about your physical body; it’s about your mind, emotions and everything combined.

Charice: Health is about holding space for all the things that matter to you and knowing that there may be times when this is difficult. If you do feel off balance, it’s about recognizing you are in a community and reaching out for help when you need it.  

What are some concrete ideas for students to incorporate healthy habits into their routines? 

Amanda: When I was a student, eating full meals was always a challenge for me. One of the things we talk about in our programming is ways to meal prep and have quick options available. 

We also talk about how physical activity doesn’t necessarily mean ‘working out’ and that focusing on getting active can happen in many ways. For example, getting off the bus early and walking the last few blocks is something you could try. 

Prioritizing sleep is also really important. It’s surprising how much of an impact sleep deprivation can have on students. Try to make sure you’re getting 6-8 hours of sleep, though that definitely looks different for people depending on your body’s rhythm and schedule.

Charice: I see a lot of guilt around the choices that people make, especially around health behaviours. It’s really important to have compassion for yourself as a student when there is so much on your shoulders. Remember that you’re doing the best you can — carrying around the extra shame and guilt around health isn’t serving you. I also want to highlight social connection as a priority. Spending time together and having time to disconnect from school plays an important role in our overall well-being. 

In terms of food, I would suggest looking at what you have and asking yourself what you can add to it. For example, if you only have access to ramen noodles, maybe you could add a hard-boiled egg or frozen vegetables. We don’t have to become Michelin-star chefs, but we can think creatively about what we can add based on access and availability. 

What additional resources would you recommend for students to explore in order to support their holistic well-being? Are there any resources that you think students might not be aware of?

Amanda: I recently learned that Residence Services has a Commuter Study Hostel space that you can rent for up to three nights at a time. It’s for those who live far away or have long commutes. 

I would also say utilizing your insurance plans and thinking about instilling habits like going to the optometrist or dentist while you’re a student is a good way to get used to having that as part of your routine. 

Charice: As we were building this program, I realized how much was out there that I didn’t know about. Campus and Community Recreation has expanded their programs, so they have a lot of mental health workshops and fun programs (like crafting), which is a lot of change since I was a student. 

U of A offers dining service options for off-campus students and robust mental health and wellness teams. There are also registered dietitians available for students to consult, which I don’t think everyone knows.

The next cohort of the CHCP is set to take place from Nov. 20 to Dec. 11, 2024. Register here!