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Maintaining good mental health as a student requires looking after yourself and aiming towards a healthy and regular wellbeing routine. Although it’s highly tempting to indulge ourselves at university with so much temptation on offer, sometimes we need to reign things in a little and ask ourselves what it is our bodies and minds might be needing right now.
As the world celebrations Mental Health Day 2022, we’ve put together a list of simple ways that you can look after yourself and show a little self-kindness.
Sort your space
Having a clean, tidy, and uncluttered student house can help you to find more peace and relaxation when at home. When your mind feels tired and cluttered, the last thing you need is for your space to be a mess too.
If you feel that your housemates aren’t helping to achieve the calming atmosphere you want to create at home, then make time to sit down with them and explain how it’s affecting your mental health and ask if you can all team together to tackle the housework together. You can do this in small bursts to tackle one space or task at a time if it feels overwhelming. Why not start with your student bedroom and changing your bed linen so you can get into a lovely clean bed tonight?
Assess your bedtime routine
While we’re on the subject of bed, are you getting enough quality sleep? Really?!
It’s recommended that all adults get between 7 – 9 hours of solid sleep every night, and this really should be a priority, especially given how much sleep effects our energy levels and mood from day to day. Sticking to a similar sleep schedule each night can help to regulate our sleep patterns and practicing a relaxing pre-bed routine can make it much easier to fall into a peaceful slumber with less interruptions.
Learn to love cooking
Our mental wellbeing has been largely linked to our tummies. Our brain alters how our gut feels, and vice versa, what we eat alters how our brain feels! Therefore, it’s important we eat the right things to help reduce stress and anxiety.
Home-cooked food is not only cheaper and healthier, but it can also bring many wellbeing benefits too. The act of cooking can bring joy and a sense of achievement too. You get instant gratification for your efforts and fuel your body with the good stuff – it’s win-win!
Check out these yummy autumn recipes for some inspiration.
Connect regularly with friends and family
Regular human contact is essential to feeling loved and belonged. Whether it’s spending time with your housemates or people on your course, be sure you are not locking yourself away too much in your student room and connect with others as much as you can.
Agreed, it’s much harder to keep connected with your friends and family when you are living further away from them, but they are always there at the end of the phone and a quick phone call in the morning or before bed will ensure you spend the day or fall asleep feeling content and comforted.
Go for regular walks
Although lockdown feels like a weird, distant memory now, you might remember the joy you experienced during your daily walk – given that it was the only bit of freedom we actually had.
In fact, taking a walk in the fresh air can be totally cleansing. Whether it’s in nature or just around your neighbourhood, walking offers us a break from our current mindset or an activity that has been stressing us out. Try to make your walk as mindful as possible – observe any nature, look for people smiling or being affectionate to one another, notice any smells, noises or voices that make you feel happy and content.
Remember that our Beyond Perks scheme gives all our student tenants access to a free GP telephone consultation service and online webcam consultation service available Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 6:30pm in partnership with BHSF. If you need help or advice with any aspect of your health and wellbeing, then sign up to access this service.