University should be an exciting time full of exciting adventures and making new friends, but sometimes it can really challenge your mental health.
Living away from home can feel daunting. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the huge amount of assignments and exams. Not to mention relationship breakdowns and arguments with friends. University can feel like a lot.
That’s why staying on top of your mental health is so important while in higher education.
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week (15 to 21 May), we’ve put together some top mental health tips for students to ensure you can stay on top of your self-care routine.
1. Create a new daily routine
Our first self-care idea for students is to create a new daily routine. This can be a great way to prioritise yourself and what you enjoy doing.
You could spend some time reading your favourite books or watching your favourite films. If you can, you could go out for a walk to get some fresh air, or maybe even teach yourself a new skill!
Changing up your daily routine to include some ‘you’ time can be a good distraction from everything else that is going on in the world.
2. Keep active
If you’ve got an assignment due or an exam around the corner, you might spend all your time hunched over your desk or typing away in a quiet corner of a library. Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind!
However, incorporating a little exercise into your daily routine is a simple way to enhance your mental health. Whether going for a walk, running, or lifting weights at the university gym, it releases powerful endorphins.
Being outdoors and exercising has been proven to boost mental alertness, energy, and mood.
3. Lean on your housemates
Don’t forget to lean on your housemates too!
Try not to isolate yourself if you’re feeling down, even if all you want to do is barricade yourself in your room. If you want to get along with your housemates, maybe you could arrange a games night, a film marathon, or a weekly meal where you can all eat together.
If you’d like a set of friends outside of your house, you could always try meeting people with common interests in societies. Whether this is art, astronomy, or yoga, you’re bound to have something to talk about!
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious about something, don’t keep it to yourself – talk to someone, whether that’s family or friends. Being around other people and sharing your thoughts and feelings with them is a great way to help you feel better.
@split_the_bills Winding down for Christmas #afteruni #festivepainting #unimovienight
♬ original sound - Split The Bills
4. Only get your news from reputable sources
There is a lot of scary news stories floating around at the moment, but not all of it is totally reliable. It might help to take some time away from the news, or if you are following it, make sure you’re getting your information from reputable sources. In other words, don’t believe everything you see on TikTok!
5. Eat a balanced diet
Diet can sometimes go hand-in-hand with your mental health, so our next tip for self-care for university students is to create a healthy meal plan and stick to it. The great news here is that many easy student meals are cheap and healthy, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.
Speaking of diet, you may also consider cutting down on alcohol if you are currently saying yes to every invitation for a cheeky pint you are offered.
6. Limit your scrolling
Social media can be addictive, but it’s no secret that it does no favours for your mental health. That’s why our next self-care idea for students is to put a time limit on your social media activity in your settings.
Taking some time out of the digital world and grounding yourself in the real world can be a fantastic way to reset your mind and cultivate realistic expectations.
7. Manage your budget
It’s no secret that students across the country face financial pressures, partly due to the rising cost of living. If you are too busy to make extra money, you need to figure out how you can manage your budget and stick to it. You may look into opening a student bank account, seeking out the best student discounts, and downloading some budgeting apps.
Once you’ve got your finances nailed, this gives you one less thing to worry about in day-to-day uni life and allows you to treat yourself without feeling guilty!
8. Listen to a podcast (or two!)
Finding some positive podcasts to listen to can be an effective distraction and can also help you feel less lonely.
We’d recommend the following:
Fearne Cotton interviews a range of celebs to talk about everything from life, love and loss, and what makes them happy. A great one to help you if you’re currently feeling a bit down.
This one is for all of you ladies out there, perfect to listen to for a bit of girl talk and some gossip.
Looking for a good laugh? This podcast is a great shout, as William and Jordan try to navigate their way through everyday life.
@split_the_bills Looking after myself over the Xmas break 🎄 #studentselfcare #christmascare #decemberevenings
♬ original sound - Split The Bills
9. Maintain a good work/life balance
Studying at university can be very full on, so it’s important to ensure you’re not overworking yourself!
Having a good work/life balance can help reduce stress and avoid burnout, and also give you more time to relax and unwind. The pressure of work can be really damaging to the mental health of university students, so it’s important to step back and take time to do things you really enjoy.
So, try to stay on top of uni work – start focusing on assignments or revising for exams in plenty of time. You may want to draw up a plan which includes plenty of breaks and manageable chunks of work. Leaving things to the last minute might seem like a tempting solution, but it will only lead to more stress and pressure later on!
10. Know when to say no
University is full of social opportunities, and we wholeheartedly encourage you to get stuck in – but only if you want to. Going out every single night of the week may not be good for your mental health – or your physical health, for that matter. Taking some time just for you and getting a good night’s sleep can clear your head and help you stay connected with who you are.
Self-care activities for students to try on their night off could include taking a long, hot bath, reading a book, reflecting in a journal, and checking out a meditation session (there are plenty of free ones on YouTube).
11. Use the services available to you
Most universities will offer student mental health, well-being, or support services. They can offer you support or even urgent help. Consult your university’s website to find out more information, and make sure you register with a GP near your accommodation.
Look out for University Mental Health Day – your university will likely have loads of fun events designed to improve your mental health.
And don’t forget, if you need someone to talk to, there is a range of other services available too:
University is stressful enough without the added hassle of setting up and managing your utility bills. If the thought of calling multiple energy suppliers to find the best deal already has your anxiety levels soaring, a bill-splitting service might be the solution.
Split the Bills is a bill-splitting service trusted and relied on by thousands of students. We simplify your household bills to give you peace of mind and help you focus on the more important stuff!
We set up your utility accounts and direct debits on your behalf. The bills are split equally between you and your housemates, so no one is stuck with all the stress and responsibility. All everyone has to do is pay one neat monthly bill!
You can choose the services you want included in your package, such as gas, electricity, water, and even your TV licence. Our energy plan is completely unlimited, so you don’t have to worry about reminding your housemates to turn their radiators off while they’re out!
If you want a simple way to pay your household bills that doesn’t damage your mental health, find out more about what we do or get in touch with our team!
When you move into a student house, everyone suddenly becomes an energy expert. Read our blog on energy myths to understand what will really save you money.
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