Staying Healthy in the Land of Temptation

The first thing that comes to mind when I picture health is fitness, so I’ll begin there. Although there may not be the classic gym set up or fitness class that abroad students are used to at school or home, there are still many options to choose from. Even if they are different from what you are used to, try out a class or a gym or even a run in the park to get started.

Sometimes a change in fitness routine is welcome when your body is so used to the same exercises. It’s exciting to try a new form of exercise that you maybe did not know existed before. You may even have a newfound motivation in these foreign classes. For instance, I found a cardio class where each member has their own personal trampoline for the hour. The instructor walks the group through different movements to get their heart rates pumping all while the participants are doing an activity that is inherently fun and nostalgic. With a little bit of exploration, even more unique ways to stay active can be found.

A good strategy is to ask friends abroad what they have found helpful in terms of fitness. I heard of a class called F45, from a friend of a friend. I didn’t know much about it, but I took a risk and signed myself up for the free two-week trial and went one day before class. It was a bit confusing at first because the instructions were in Czech, but I learned how to follow the people around me and got the hang of the class. I felt super accomplished heading into the day with a workout already under my belt. Once I started finding time and places to work out, I felt much more like my normal active self.

Another challenge that any health-conscious study abroad student is bound to be confronted with is the predicament surrounding food. Any city you study abroad in is going to have so much temptation when it comes to trying foods. There is a completely novel cuisine at your fingertips, and it can be difficult to peel yourself away from it for a meal or two in the name of health. Especially in Prague, many traditional restaurants are very heavy on meat, bread, cheese, and potatoes. Not to mention every corner in Prague 1 has the smell of cinnamon trdelnicks emanating from small stands offering Nutella, ice cream, and whipped cream toppings.

The cravings are definitely real abroad. However, although I may have the urge to try as many dishes and desserts as I can, it is important to remind myself to keep a good balance. We all have so much time over the course of the semester that cooking for yourself or skipping dessert does not mean you are missing out. Feeling good is as important as eating good. Sometimes your body just needs a night of veggies and chicken, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Czech cuisine will still be here when you are ready for it. It can be helpful to plan out when you’ll splurge for the week and when you’ll eat at home. It doesn’t need to be a strict schedule, but just a way for you to create a guide for yourself of how much you are willing to eat out. This strategy is also great for budgeting food costs. Financial health is of course an important aspect of abroad life as well.

Not every facet of abroad poses a challenge to healthy living. Urban life luckily entails lots of walking, which can keep you pretty active itself. Simply getting from my apartment to class, I walk just under a mile each way. It’s great to check your phone’s health data at the end of the day and see how far you’ve come. I’ve had days where I’ve walked anywhere from four miles, to thirteen. Also, many students live in apartments that have elevators, but others do not. Getting up your four flights of stairs multiple times a day can elevate your heart rate quite easily. Even if there is a week where you don’t find the time to go to the gym, run outside, or take a class, you can rest assured that the study abroad life is making you move a lot more in your than you would at home. Therein lies the true health win of abroad.