Staying Healthy and Active: Wellness Tips for Students Returning to University

As you gear up to return to university, keeping yourself healthy and active is key to thriving academically and personally.

This blog is your go-to guide for practical tips on maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

From easy workout routines that fit into your busy schedule to smart choices in the kitchen, we’re here to support your journey.

Together, let’s ensure you have the energy and focus to excel in your studies while enjoying a vibrant university experience.

 

Physical Activity

It goes without saying that one of the most important steps for your health and well-being is physical activity.

Even if it seems obvious to most, it is not very easy to keep up for a lot of students. As we grow older, our level of physical activity decreases. This is why staying active while at university plays an important role in your well-being at university. 

University is the perfect place to pick up a new hobby or try a new sport due to the range of societies and facilities catered to them. If you are used to playing any sport already, then it is a great idea to start it again as it is likely to keep you interested. 

Regardless of whether it is a high-intensive activity like running or a low-impact one like at-home pilates, what matters is that you make the effort to stay active regularly. 

Even if it is a quick workout between your assignments, every little bit contributes to a better mood and subsequently better health!

Read this blog on 8 Best YouTube Channels For Yoga Beginners to help you get started. 

Nutritious Meals 

Working out and meals go hand in hand. Having healthy meals is the first habit to leave the picture as students get into busy periods at university.

Oftentimes, meals are replaced with quick and ready-to-eat meals like cup noodles and other snacks. 

While we understand the need to optimise for time, there are plenty of quick and healthy recipes that you can follow to make sure that your meals are nutritious. 

Meal planning is also a great way to ensure that you are consuming healthy meals throughout the day.

You can plan your schedule ahead of time to make sure that you are well prepared and stocked up for your exam season and skip out on unhealthy meals.

Sleep Schedule

Similar to eating habits, the sleep schedules of most students at university are really messed up. 

Getting sufficient sleep is a crucial step for your well-being at university. Try your best to finish your work and other commitments at a reasonable time and get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night. 

The quality of your sleep affects all aspects of your daily life, so be sure to be mindful of that when you plan your schedule. 

There are also measures that you can take to make sure you get quality sleep like reducing screentime before bed, meditation and more. 

Read this blog on 10 Top Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep. 

Time Management 

Speaking of schedules, time management is an uncompromisable and crucial step to make sure that you are performing the best you can, which subsequently affects your well-being at university.

Time management is not about making sure that you fit in as many activities as you possibly can into a day but rather making sure that you accommodate sufficient time for each task you need.

With time, this can also help you identify how many things you can commit to in a day comfortably and what takes up most of your time.

It is a constant trial and error and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Read this blog on Surviving The End-of-term Crunch: Time Management Tips to help you get started. 

Hydration 

Even if it seems quite obvious, there are a lot of students who struggle with drinking sufficient water throughout the day and sometimes even forget to. 

Drinking water regularly has an immense range of benefits that can positively impact your well-being at university. 

If you are someone who struggles to drink sufficient water, you can try adding fruits like lemon and oranges to add more flavour to your drink.

Water bottles with time stamps/quantity are also a great way to keep you motivated to keep drinking water. 

Find what works best for you and incorporate that into your daily routine to ensure that you are staying hydrated. 

Mental Health 

While discussing well-being at university, we cannot look past the importance of your mental health. 

For most students, university is the first time they are far away from their friends and family. This in addition to the workload to manage at university can be very overwhelming. 

If you find yourself in a difficult place, remember that you are not alone. Reach out to the people you trust the most who can help you with it.

Universities also have resources and teams dedicated to the well-being of students, so you can reach out to them as well. 

If someone you know is struggling, then be sure to guide them towards the right resources so that they can feel supported. 

Read this blog on Supporting Friends In University: A World Mental Health Day Perspective.

As you continue this academic journey,  remember that prioritising your health is essential for success. By incorporating these wellness tips into your daily routine, you’re setting yourself up for a balanced and fulfilling university experience. 

Whether it’s finding joy in physical activities, making mindful food choices, or nurturing your mental well-being, each step contributes to your overall well-being. Stay active, eat well, and take time for self-care to thrive academically and personally. Here’s to a healthy semester ahead!

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