University life can be a lot of fun but it can also be hard work and it’s important that you look after your physical and mental health so you can make the most of your time.
Here are some simple steps you can take to make sure you’re leading a balanced and healthy lifestyle. They cover all the important things that can make life manageable.
Exercise
30 minutes of daily exercise is recommended. As exercising releases endorphins, it’s great for your mood and your overall wellbeing, plus it’s a welcome break from sitting in lectures and seminars.
Drink water
Water is essential for good mental health. It can be easy to forget to drink water when you’re wrapped up in essay stress, but regularly drinking glasses of water improves concentration and decreases your stress levels by thoroughly hydrating you. Each time you sit down at your desk, make sure you have a glass of water to hand.
Eat well
Eating a healthy, balanced diet isn’t only good for you body, it’s also good for your mind. Healthy food doesn’t need to cost the world, and it doesn’t need to be boring. It’s obviously best to avoid junk food and steer clear of excessive alcohol, sugar and processed fats, but that still leaves a lot of delicious healthy food for you to choose from. Learn from our guide how students can eat healthy on their budget.
Sufficient sleep
When you are overly tired, your concentration levels crash. It is important to regulate your sleep pattern – try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, and to sleep and wake at the same time each day.
Break down your work
Do you have a difficult essay to write, a heavy text to analyse before your seminar, or some revision for a tricky exam? You can often feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Try sitting down at your desk each Sunday afternoon to plan out what you aim to complete each day of the following week. This will help you feel organised about your workload.
Socialise
Meeting up with a close friend at least once a day can boost your mood. Make time for the people who make you feel happy, and you know you can have a laugh with, even if it’s just for an hour.
Get outside
In exam season, students tend to stay in their rooms immersed in revision, so schedule half an hour each day for getting outside and breathing fresh air. It will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to get back to your desk for round two!
Talk about it
Talking about your feelings with friends, classmates, family members and colleagues is a great way to get advice, and a new perspective, on issues you are dealing with. It is also helpful to vocalise how you feel, as it encourages you to recognise and admit to your feelings and consider why you feel that way and what you can do to change it.