Life at University can quickly become tedious and overbearing. It is incredibly easy to find yourself in a routine of just working and reading. And while it is important that we do keep on top of our work, it is equally as important to keep on top of our wellbeing and mental health.
I have all too often found myself lost in a sea of books and exams-working on my studies but losing my happiness. If you ever find yourself to be in a similar situation, here are a few ways you can incorporate wellness into your study routine to improve your work life.
- Taking consistent breaks
Many people surprisingly forget that breaks can be taken, and are in fact extremely beneficial to your revision.
It is easy to sometimes think that hours and hours of straight work will help relieve you of your stresses. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, many studies have shown that taking consistent breaks benefits not just your mind, but also your work; it gives you time to rewind, reflect, and return with a fresh work ethic. You are also far less likely to procrastinate whilst doing work, resulting in more work actually being done in less time.
It is extremely important to space out your work over the week, and not overload yourself in one day.
2.Meditation, yoga, or anything to help you unwind
Unwinding at the beginning and end of the day can be as simple as a short meditation session, or even a calming warm bath.
I have personally found that meditation in the morning really helps me begin my day with a sense of focus; it calms down any anxieties and allows me to start my day fresh. Similarly, meditating at night allows me to release any stress that has been clinging on to me for the day. I definitely don’t do this every day, but trying to make these small wellbeing habits become a part of your routine is undoubtedly one of the best ways to be able to be consistent with work.
If you have never done meditation or yoga before, it can be daunting to know where and how to begin. Thankfully, there are many simple videos on Youtube to help guide you through beginner’s meditation. I would strongly recommend the Youtube channel ‘Goodful’ for simple meditation, and ‘Yoga with Adriene’ for a yoga and meditation session combined!
3. Making sure you have enough fuel for the day
Water and food are quite literally a necessity to survive. It is so easy to forget the importance of eating three meals and drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day. I know that if I am ever running late and choose to skip breakfast, my mornings are hindered by my lack of energy. Dehydration can have you feeling dizzy, tired and light-headed, which is not at all ideal for revision. Trying to push yourself through dehydration and hunger will only make you feel worse and worse, resulting in a lower efficiency rate whilst working. I recommend planning and even prepping your meals for the week in advance. This way it is far easier to cook, and you eliminate the risk of feeling too stressed with work to start a meal. It also means you can spend more time just relaxing, instead of worrying about time being lost through cooking.
There are plenty of other ways to incorporate well-being into your studies. Gym breaks and daily walks, soothing candles or essential oils, even just spending time with friends and family to relieve yourself. No matter what helps you out, it is important to incorporate wellness into your study, for a happier and healthier life.
