Shortly after finals week, the typical KAIST student is mentally worn and physically fatigued from unhealthy amounts of studying combined with poor nutrition. For any of my fellow peers hoping to spend their summer rebuilding healthy habits, The KAIST Herald met with a yoga instructor in Eoeun-dong for advice on adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Hello, could you introduce yourself shortly to the readers?

My name is Keun Soon Lee. Prior to teaching yoga, I studied food and nutrition. Presently, I am the director and one of the yoga instructors at Vaira (Sanskrit for “diamond”) in Eoeun-dong.

Could you recommend any popular sports or activities to rebuild healthy habits for the summer time?

Among college students, common sports are swimming, Astanga yoga, dancing, cycling, and hiking. Of these, the last two do not have any monthly costs. Meanwhile for the remainder, there are typically membership fees - in the case of yoga, it costs 80,000 Korean Won per month for three classes a week. I would recommend Astanga yoga in particular because it is dynamic yet delicate and is great for muscle toning, a bonus for those hoping to shape their bodies over the summer.

Many students may not have the time or money to go outside of the school for exercise. What would be a more convenient alternative for these students?

I would still recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise for three days a week. The activity that the student would like to do depends mainly on his or her personal level of fitness. Of course, the more active and aerobic the exercise, the better it is. Additionally, for those exercising for weight loss or detox purposes, I would recommend exercising in the morning when you have an empty stomach.

Excluding diet and exercise, what else is important for staying healthy?

Sleep and regular bowel movements should also be regulated. Often due to the summer heat, people find it difficult to fall asleep. This leads back to the importance of exercise, since your body temperature typically drops after you exercise, and you will also create a spike in your metabolism. For regular digestion, you should incorporate fiber in your regular diet. Popular sources of fiber are whole grain, raw vegetables, and fruits.

What are some health-related issues that might arise in the summertime?

As I mentioned before, people will find themselves having trouble sleeping. Despite the heat, they should avoid eating cold food excessively, as it is harder for the body to digest and could lead to problems in your stomach. Humans generally sleep less in the summer than in the winter. Knowing this, you should try to create favorable conditions to sleep as much as possible.

Could you give one last word of advice for maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle?

Balance the mind and the body. This can be attained through diet, control, and exercise. Exercise should be a fundamental part of our lives. Additionally, you should not neglect your mental health. Overstressing will have a detrimental effect similar to physically overworking your body. Make sure to keep your mind and your body happy.