With a mountain of coursework, reading materials, and examinations, it’s understandable that students may put health and fitness at the back of their minds. To get the most out of your course and to achieve the grades you need, it’s important that you look after your health and wellbeing from start to finish.
Whether you’re at a business school or learning with an online provider like Baylor University to become a neonatal nurse practitioner, here are some useful tips on how to stay fit, healthy and active as a student.
Change Your Diet
Before beginning your course, it’s advisable to make alterations to your diet. To ensure you are well energized and ready for learning, the types of foods you eat can help keep you motivated. Following a balanced diet, learning proper portion size, making breakfast a priority, and drinking plenty of water are key tips that will keep your diet beneficial and healthy. Eating healthily can help you in many ways, such as:
- Managing your weight
- Reduced cancer risk
- Strengthening bones and teeth
- Improved memory
- Better mood
Factor in Exercise
Once starting your course, your weekdays will likely be filled with lectures, seminars and coursework, however, it’s important that you find time in your day for exercise. Taking 30 minutes away from your learning and dedicating it towards fitness can boost energy levels and clear your mind. Some of the benefits you can gain from regular exercise include:
- Lowering blood cholesterol level
- Reducing your risk of a heart attack
- Can help brain memory and health
- Good for your muscles and bones
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Without a good night’s sleep, it’s likely that you won’t put your full concentration and attention into your learning. As a student, getting sleep is a crucial part of staying healthy, so if you’re struggling to drift off, there are lots of tips that can help, including:
- Taking naps
- Avoiding caffeine before bed
- Sticking to a sleep schedule
- Keeping your room dark and quiet
- Avoid working in bed
Create a Routine
With a brand-new routine to adjust to, it’s important that you get into the habit of studying. If you don’t adapt to change well, creating a schedule in advance can help ease you into your course. A routine can lower stress levels, improve mental health, and give you total control. Whether you choose to study online or at a brick and mortar establishment, setting aside time to dedicate towards learning is essential. There are lots of distractions that can take your mind off studying, so creating a routine from the beginning should be your first step.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
No matter what course you are studying, the pressure of doing well can take its toll on your mental health. After a long day of classes and coursework, you may find it difficult to destress and unwind, so practicing relaxation techniques may help. Meditation is a practice that is used by students across the world to help lower stress levels. Some of the health benefits meditation can bring include:
- Reducing stress
- Controlling anxiety
- Promoting emotional health
- Lengthening attention span
- Enhancing self-awareness
If you aren’t interested in meditation, there are numerous other relaxation techniques and strategies that you can try, such as:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Autogenic training
- Guided imagery
Make Time for Fun
With a lot of your time being dedicated to your course, it’s important that you have some fun along the way. Even if you are full of motivation and determination to excel, unless you take regular breaks, it’s likely that you will burn out quicker. Striking the right balance between education, seeing friends and family, and work is crucial. Whether it’s calling up a friend, going for a walk around your neighborhood, or taking up a sport, there are lots of activities that you can do, which will clear your mind and help you stay positive. We all need a break from time to time, so don’t feel guilty about having some time away from your studies.
Have a Strong Support Network
Whether you’re living at home, with friends, or as a family unit, it’s vital that you have a strong support network around you during your course. If you are a parent and have decided to go back into education, having a supportive partner by your side can make all the difference. There may be challenges and obstacles during your course which can play havoc with your health, so having people there to talk to and let off steam can be a big help. There are lots of benefits that you can receive from having a strong support network around you, such as:
- Helping you cope better in stressful situations
- Promoting lifelong good mental health
- Boosting confidence
- Enhancing self-esteem
- Lowering cardiovascular risks
Ask for Help
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your friends and family, it’s important that you seek help from a medical professional if you’re struggling. You will go through all sorts of emotions as a student, so engaging with your doctor and making regular appointments can be a great opportunity to open up and express your thoughts and feelings. If things get too much, they may refer you to a counselor who can support you throughout your course. There are several benefits that counseling can give you as a student, including:
- Improving interpersonal and communication skills
- Greater self-esteem and self-acceptance
- Better management of emotions, such as anger
- Relief from anxiety and depression
No matter what your long-term career plans are, it’s important that you’re in the best frame of mind before and during your course. If you are hesitant about going back into education, all the tips listed above can help you stay fit and healthy during your student years.
Whether you choose an online course or prefer to study in person, there will be staff who can support you throughout your course and give you more useful health and wellbeing tips to help you get the most out of your degree.
