Taking time to explore your surroundings can help you to find peaceful places in your area (Rafa Bahiense/Flickr).

READ ALSO: Stay Healthy and Happy in College: Nutrition Tips

The transition from home life to college is rough for everyone, and emotions can run wild during your first few weeks at school. Although it’s completely natural to feel disoriented and out of place, there are various ways to combat negativity.  

READ ALSO: Stay Healthy and Happy in College: Fitness

1. Get involved

When I first arrived on campus, I was confronted with more free time than I knew how to manage. I, like many freshmen, was used to structured class schedules and sports practices that consumed almost all of my time.

As soon as I could get involved, I threw myself into clubs and activities, which had the dual effects of saving me from a sedentary lifestyle and discouraging boredom eating.

Joining clubs is also an amazing way to meet new people whose interests are similar to your own. Bonus points for joining a club that promotes a healthy lifestyle, such as those offered at the University of Southern California (USC) like the USC Triathlon team or SC Outfitters.

2. Get off campus

I have found that getting off campus at least once every few weeks is integral to my well-being. Luckily, Los Angeles offers a huge variety of excursions that we can take advantage of as students. Some of my favorite trips have been to Santa Monica and Silver Lake, but there are so many districts and neighborhoods to explore that you’ll never get bored with the city.

Getting out into the city provides a welcome break from routine, and Los Angeles is an amazing resource that we should all utilize. If you’re lacking inspiration, web sites like LAist can point you toward exciting events and notable areas. Or, you could talk to upperclassmen and locals to get a sense of what’s worth doing in L.A.

3. Find a community of likeminded healthy people

Any city can be an exciting place that houses every opportunity to go out and explore (Ron Reiring/Flickr).

My first few days at college were a blur of new people, experiences, and emotions. However, on my fourth day on campus, I decided to get up early and go to the gym. 

Simply being active made a huge difference and eliminated a lot of the stress that I was accumulating. With this knowledge, I found a small group of students in my dorm who also felt that staying active was integral to their sanity, and we now motivate each other to be healthy and fit.

Even if you can’t find a friend who will accompany you to the gym or recommend local health food spots, try searching for online communities such as Greatist. 

The next four years of your life are going to be incredible and chaotic, so now is the time to establish healthy habits and get off to a solid start. Physical health is important, but mental and emotional wellness are also integral components of happiness. Hopefully, this advice will inspire you to eat right, exercise regularly, and find activities that you enjoy.

Reach Staff Reporter Eliza Moley here or follow her on Twitter here.