Health Tips for students

Student Health Tips

 We know student life is full of new and exciting experiences and there is often lots going on. It is important to take the time to look after yourself to help you cope with the changes in lifestyle. Some areas that you could focus:

• Managing stress

• Looking after your physical health

• Coping in an alcohol or drugs culture

For more ideas, check out Student Minds' transitions  resources.

Managing stress

Student might feel like there is a lot of pressure to do well academically, as well as pressure to be sociable. In particular, mature students often say that they feel under stress if they are struggling financially and they have invested money in the course as part of a career change, that can create extra pressure to do well.

Try to follow strategies to manage stress before it gets too much, so it's easier to respond to additional pressure – for example, around exam times.

• Do some mindfulness exercise-There is a lot of evidence to suggest these can be really helpful, especially for managing stress.
• Try using a planner- This can help to keep track of deadlines and key commitments and organize your study.
• Take time out to relax- Getting away from your desk, even for short periods of time, can help to keep you calm.
• Keep an eye on social commitments to give up overloading your schedule around deadlines and exams.
• Try online support and application-There are lots of apps and websites available that can help you to manage your stress levels, such as those offering a daily meditation or mindfulness practices. For more information on online support, including apps, have a look at our pages on mental  health online.

Looking after your physical health:

Looking after your physical health will help you to  stay healthy and maintain concentration to study well.

• Get good sleep-If you're tired, your worries can get blown out of proportion.   Following into a regular sleep routine can help you stay on top of university life.
• Eat a healthy Balance diet-Eating a balanced and nutritious diet can help you  to feel well and think clearly.
• Exercise regularly-Keeping active can help you to improve your mental health. Even gentle exercise, like yoga or swimming, can help you to relax and manage stress.  
• "Tiredness is one of the biggest problems with the student lifestyle and it can contribute significantly to my mood.  Everyone feel more emotional and less capable when I am tired."

 

Coping in an alcohol or drugs culture:

While alcohol is often associated with the student lifestyle, you don't have to drink if you don't want to, you are not obligated. Students' Unions and student-led groups offer a range of social events and activities that are alcohol free.

 Remember:

• Alcohol can worsen depression and cause other health problems truly.
• Make sure that you have some days without drinking.
• Must be careful if you are taking medication or consultation , as it's usually recommended not to drink or to limit the amount you do drink, while taking it.
• Having a friend or company around when you are out, or establishing a buddy system, can help to keep you safe when you are drinking or engaged in drug use
• Don't accept or received drinks from someone you don't know and always keep your drinks with you to help avoid your drink being spiked (with drugs or alcohol).