3 Ways Students Can Prioritise Their Well-Being This New Year

Being a student is usually pretty great, but that doesn’t mean the lifestyle isn't without its challenges. Whether it’sassignments, trying to stay on top of weekly reading, or the pressure of trying to balance studying with playing sports and hanging out with your mates, sometimes student life can impact your mental health.  

That’s why we’ve put together 3 simple steps you can take to focus on your well-being this new year.  

1. Get into a good sleep routine 

Although it might sound impossible as a student, getting into a good sleep routine can really boost your mood and improve concentration, making it easier to finish those assignments you’ve been putting off.  

Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to function properly. However, if you’ve missed sleep in the previous nights, you’ll need more sleep to reset your sleep debt and get back to your regular routine. So, whether you’ve stayed up late studying or on a night out, it might be worth sleeping in so you’re well-rested. You can get back to your usual sleep routine the following day.  

Speaking of sleep routines, try to go to bed and wake up at a similar time each day, especially during exam season or if you’re working on an assignment. A good sleep routine can do wonders for your well-being and productivity!  

If you struggle with falling asleep at night, here are a couple of tips to help:

·       Do something relaxing before bed, like a bedtime yoga routine, reading a book or guided meditation - this’ll help put you in the right frame of mind for sleep. 

·       Reduce screen time before bed (yes, that means putting your phone away - ideally somewhere you can’t reach it). 

·       Create a positive sleep environment - make sure your room is at a good temperature and your curtains are closed. You can also try playing music or calming sounds to help you fall asleep - experiment and find what works for you! 

·       If you really can’t sleep, don’t try to force it. Instead, get up, go to a different location and do something relaxing until you feel tired.  

2. Keep active 

If you’re a naturally sporty person, then this might not be something you struggle with, but for some students, trying to fit in exercise, alongside studying and socialising, can be a real challenge.  

Research shows that regular exercise can help improve self-esteem, boost sleep quality, and reduce your chance of developing stress and depression. It’s a no-brainer if you want to prioritise your well-being in 2024!  

The good news is that there are loads of ways that you can stay active this new year. Consider joining a sports club or society at your uni. From dodgeball to parkour, there should be so much on offer that you’re guaranteed to find a sport that’ll motivate you to return each week.  

If you’re not a fan of team sports or the idea of joining a sports society sounds like your worst nightmare, you could always try joining a gym. Or if a gym membership doesn’t fit your budget, try going for a walk, run or cycle a few times a week. These activities are pretty much free (provided you already own trainers or a bicycle), and you can easily fit them in around your hectic uni schedule. You can even try walking or cycling to uni instead of taking the bus. 

3. Drink sensibly 

Whether you decided to participate in ‘Dry January’ or not, keeping an eye on your alcohol consumption in 2024 can really help your mental and physical health. This doesn't mean giving up alcohol entirely (although, of course, there’s nothing wrong with that), but it does mean drinking in moderation - sometimes easier said than done with a student lifestyle.  

You could try having 1-2 designated drinking days a week and keeping the rest of your week alcohol-free. Or you could try to set some drinking boundaries for the days when you do drink, like sticking to singles rather than doubles, drinking water in between each pint or limiting yourself to a set number of drinks.  

Drinking less alcohol has multiple short and long-term benefits - it can help you feel less tired and more motivated in the mornings, improve your memory and concentration, reduce your cholesterol levels, and help with weight loss. If you want 2024 to be the year you focus on your well-being, cutting back on drinking might not be the easiest thing to do, but it can really make a difference! 

How UniHomes can help 

Prioritising your well-being as a student isn’t always easy, especially when you have so many things to think about: acing your assignments and exams, getting fit & healthy, staying on top of your sleep schedule, cutting back on drinking, and, of course, paying household bills. Why not give yourself one less thing to stress about and choose all-inclusive student accommodation for the next academic year? 

UniHomes has a comprehensive and trusted landlord and letting agent network with all–inclusive student properties across the UK, so it’s easy to find your next student house for 2024-2025. From spacious 8-bedroomed shared houses to city centre studios, our site is the perfect place to search for next year’s accommodation.  

All properties come with all bills included to make your life as hassle-free as possible and give you more time to focus on your well-being. Plus, your water and energy plans are uncapped, so you can have peace of mind about your price staying the same each month

Contact us today to learn more about how our all-inclusive student accommodation works, or check out the student properties for rent in your uni city.