University is one of the most thrilling, fun, life-changing, and inspiring moments in a person’s life. At the same time, this experience can be overwhelming, intense, and intimidating – it does not come as a surprise that over 37% of students report a worsening in their mental health since starting university!
To these statistics, it is important to add the impact that covid-19, the months of closures, and the lack of social interaction have caused to young adults across the UK.
Ultimately, the academic year that will start in just over a month could be one of the hardest ones yet, and getting ready in advance for the amount of work, stress, and social pressure you will face could be the key to finding the right balance. Here are 8 tips to prioritize self-love in the classroom and out.
Be Mindful About Your Diet
Our diet impacts our mental health much more than we often realize. Thanks to vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and important compounds such as Omega-3 and fatty acids, we can not only find a better emotional balance but also fight the symptoms of depression.
While fast food, cheese, and processed ingredients might be the first choice for many hungry students, these are not always the best option for our general health.
And remember, these choices truly start at the supermarket! Buy in bulk and fill your fridge with vegetables, fruit, nuts, and legumes.
Drink Moderately
It’s a fact – students drink. At university, everything revolves around your social life, and what better place is there to culminate relationships than the pub? And, even if that is not the best place, it is the one many students head to several nights a week. While you should not have to say no to interactions, you can make the smartest choices.
For example, if you tend to go to the pub several nights a week, opt for non-alcoholic alternatives to beer and spirits. You might spend the same amount, but you will at least protect your health!
Invest in the Right Student Accommodation
The right student accommodation can truly make a difference. Sharing with others can be fun at first, but it might not offer you the right space and time to look after your own mental wellbeing. Instead, private accommodation for students can help you count on a private oasis where you can relax, focus on your assignments, and look after your health.
When you start looking for student accommodation you'll want to find the best student accommodation in Nottingham (or wherever you're studying). These will give you a balance of being affordable and help you cut out the noise, allowing you to find the calm you need to achieve your school goals and nourish healthy relationships. It is also handy to be away from parties that carry on all night and can quickly end up depriving you of precious sleep!
Take Up Meditation
If everyone is exposed to the stresses of everyday life, students are even more so. And it is not just about their days, but also the stress of having to show results, achieve the right grades, make the right friends, and nurture important relationships. All this while also safeguarding their finances and mental health.
Now that there are still a few weeks to go to the start of the academic year, it is the best time to start experiencing various meditative techniques. Just like any other practice, it takes time to understand how to use meditation to your advantage. And, over time, your practice will become part of your routine. Introduce it now, before diving into the whirlpool of university life!
Don’t Give Up on Your Fitness Goals
When starting university, it can all feel intimidating and overwhelming. With so much to do and see, it is easy to lose track of your fitness goals. However, maintaining the right balance and taking time to focus on your physical wellbeing can make a difference in your mood and mental health.
At the same time, don’t put pressure on yourself to keep exactly the same weight or muscle mass you had before uni! Your lifestyle conditions are changing, and so it is normal for your body and mind to adapt to your new life.
Yet, there is a lot you can do to remain healthy. For example, you could take up running or cycling, which are great ways to let go of steam and focus on your health. Alternatively, practices such as yoga or pilates can help you work on your body and mind at the same time!
Join a Club or Community
Nurturing the right relationships with your peers is vital. With some people in your social group, you can have fun and throw the best parties, there are not necessarily the best friends to have for you to achieve the right goals.
While you might not want to cut everyone out of your life, you can find the right balance between some people to have fun with and some that help you grow. Joining a club or community at university can be a great way to meet people from all walks of life that can truly widen your view of the world.
Have a Lively Social Life (but Learn To Say No)
Your university friends are going to be part of your life for years to come. And, in most cases, it is all thanks to the unique experiences you will live while at university! With something going on every night, it is impossible to resist a university’s vibrant social life.
And, of course, it is thanks to the people you meet during these special years that you can grow relationships and define your view of the world. Nonetheless, you don’t have to join every event or accept every invite. Sometimes, saying no, deciding to stay in, and focus on what you want to do can make a difference in helping you find a balance.
Understand That This Year Is Unique
For university students, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. The stress of deadlines and assignments, coupled with the need to meet expectations set by parents and family members, can be intimidating.
And this year, to these already high levels of stress students will also need to add the fears and added challenges that came with the pandemic. In all this, finding a balance isn’t easy. However, it is important to keep in mind that this year is unique.
So, don’t compare yourself to others or to yourself of last year – make the most of this new academic year as it comes!
This is a collaborative post
