It is super important to stay healthy at Uni. However this is now up to you, and you must take charge of your own health at university, so we’ve got some tips for doing just this.
Exercise- Regular exercise is a must. Whether this is going to the gym, going on a run, swimming, Zumba, skateboarding or even squash. Something which gets your heart rate up and your heart pumping. Exercise is important for not only your physical health but your mental health. You find most student cities have lots of gyms and sports centres where you can become a member (and at a student rate too). Or if you don’t want to pay, find a local park where you can run and if you’re lucky enough, lots of student accommodation sites now have their own free gyms for you to use 24/7. Whatever you choose, exercise is vital for staying healthy at Uni.
Food- Having a healthy balanced diet is very important, as it affects not only your body’s overall health but sleep, concentration and even your skin. Ensure before you go to Uni that you can make a few staple meals that are filled with veggies, as you’ll probably find you will lack these at uni. Get into the habit of doing a weekly food shop, prepping food and eating balanced meals, you’ll feel much better for it, as opposed to pizza, pizza and more pizza.
Doctor- Register with a local doctor. You can move doctors to one near your University and when you move back home remember to switch back to your home town. Even though you will probably never need the doctor, it’s always good to make sure if you do need to see a GP or nurse, you can.
Dentist- If you don’t live too far from home and visit regularly enough, swapping dentists might seem a bit pointless as you can arrange your twice a year check-ups for when you’re at home. However if you’re moving quite a distance from home, it may be a good idea to register with a local dentist, just in case you have any issues and to ensure you have regular check-ups.
Opticians- Like the dentist, you may not need to switch opticians if you don’t visit regularly. But if you wear glasses or contact lenses it might be easier to switch opticians so that you can organise regular check-ups. Many national opticians offer you the choice of switching branches, so that you remain with the same opticians but just change the store you visit.
Drinking Alcohol- Obviously, we know that students drink, and some may say more than other groups. But everything in moderation, try to stick to the recommended units per week, but if this isn’t possible, try having an alcohol free week every month, to give your body a little holiday. It’s important to enjoy yourself at University, but you must remember to try and stay healthy at Uni.
Sleep- In order to balance university, your social life, exercise and maybe even work, you need your sleep. Some say driving tired is worse than driving drunk, now we are not on about driving, but you get the point. Your body needs time to rest and recover, so getting enough sleep is vital. Try and set alarms every night to get into a regular sleep pattern, and winding down for heading to bed. Find out more here.
Vitamins- If you find yourself feeling under the weather and a bit sluggish, your body may be missing out on some vitamins and minerals that you normally have in your food at home. Obviously, if you’re not feeling well, first of all, check with a health professional, that it is not something else. But most students find their diet changes when they go to uni, as this is completely normal, but if your b0dy is missing out, try adding more varied foods to give you the extra vitamins and minerals your body is needing.
First aid kit- before you head off to uni, get together a first aid kit. You will be surprised how many people forget one of these and then someone has to use the kitchen roll and sellotape as a plaster… not the best. Just head to the supermarket and get the essentials, you won’t regret it.
University resources- Check out your university’s website, or get in touch to see what support they offer, you will be surprised by how many resources universities have to help out their students. They offer advice and support with mental health, stress, university work, sexual health and disabilities. If you are struggling or need some help, find out what is on offer to help you.
University is one of the best experiences and times of your life. But you won’t be able to enjoy this fully if you’re not fit and healthy. By following these simple steps and taking charge of your own health, you can ensure you’re doing the most to stay healthy and well at Uni, which is the most important thing.
