Top tips for taking care of your well-being

Looking after your well-being is crucial. It will help you function better, enhance physical health, improve academic and work performance, and improve overall quality of life.

Here are the Advice Service’s Top Ten Tips to looking after your well-being:

Connect with the people around you

If you are living in non-catered halls or a house share, why not suggest you take it in turns to cook for each other once a week. This will give you a chance not only to bond with your flatmates but will mean you are eating a home cooked meal most days.

Join a society

This is a great way to meet new friends and explore something new. To find out what societies are available and how to get involved take a look at the Students’ Union Societies page at  manchesterstudentsunion.com/societies.

Set yourself a challenge

Doing a degree is probably challenging enough! However it is always exciting to set yourself small challenges involving something you enjoy. It could be something large or small. Either way, accomplishing something new will boost your confidence.

Try out mindfulness

Living, working, and studying in a busy city can become quite overwhelming. Meditation is proven to reduce stress and anxiety. You don’t need any skills to do it and it is completely free. Free mindfulness workshops are available to attend via the University Counselling Service. Find out more at counsellingservice.manchester.ac.uk/events/workshops.

Know your limits

We can all be guilty of burning the candle at both ends from time to time, but knowing your limits can help prevent burn out. Whether you have been partying too much lately or staying up all night to try and finish an essay, in the end not looking after your body will take its toll. Keep an eye out for any warning signs that you may be over doing it.

Talk to someone 

Whether that is a friend, flatmate, family member, GP, counsellor, or an adviser at the Advice Service. There is no shame in seeking help. Between trying to academically succeed, financial pressures, trying to socialise, and meet new friends, being at University can be a tough place to be. You may be feeling low in mood or may be concerned that you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. If you are concerned for a friend or would like to chat to someone yourself then please book an appointment at the Advice Service or email us at [email protected]

Get Outside

Go for a walk or sit outside and watch the world go by. Try and take in the world around you and see things you may not have noticed before. Get in touch with nature by noticing the leaves on the trees starting to fall and change colour in the autumn or spotting the new buds of flowers starting to bloom in the spring. Getting some fresh air is a fab way to take some time out for yourself and regroup your thoughts.

Be Active

Not everyone likes the thought of exercising but you don’t have to slog it out at the gym to be active. Whether it is dancing, walking, swimming, or yoga, regularly exercising will make you feel great. Exercise is proven to boost your mood and well-being. Why not try one of the many classes available through Active Manchester at the University. Classes can work out as cheap as £2 per class. sport.manchester.ac.uk/fitness/activeman/

Eat Smart

Try to eat a balanced diet. Eating healthily doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the foods you like. Just try to eat them in moderation instead. If you don’t like cooking try to cook meals in batches and freeze them. If you like to eat on the go you can always bring in a pre-prepared meal from home and heat it up in one of the microwaves available to use in the Students’ Union.

Take time out for you

Do something you enjoy. This could be anything! Look round a museum, listen to some music, watch your favourite film, or read a book. Life can be pretty hectic so it is really important to not forget about ourselves so try and spend some time doing something just for you.

And if all of this isn’t enough, you can access the Universities Wellbeing Week sessions from the 20th to the 24th of November! Find all the information you need here: studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/taking-care/wellbeing/wellbeing-week/