As the winter months creep up on us and daylight hours are shorter, university can noticeably become more draining and demanding, with deadlines approaching and never-ending to-do lists! Prioritising your well-being is key, so implementing small, easy, self-care habits can make student-life that little bit easier. Here are some practical tips and advice you can implement:
One of the easiest ways to feel fresh and gain focus is starting your day off right, and yes, you may hear it all the time, but these small habits are super beneficial!
So, how do we ‘start the day off right?’
Morning light first thing is highly valuable for the mind and body, taking just 5 minutes to go outside can increase your energy. The benefits range from regulating your sleep-wake cycle, as well as boosting your mood and alertness. Finishing your morning shower with a quick blast of cold water can also be a great way to start your day and improves blood circulation. Begin with just a few, manageable seconds and then see if you can build it up over time!
This may sound basic, but before leaving to go to lectures or your favourite study spot, taking a full water bottle with you and refilling throughout the day is essential for concentration, memory, and energy levels for those long hours of reading and coursework writing.
Making sure to move throughout the day is another implementation you can add to your winter routine through setting aside ten minutes to do some mobility movements, such as neck circles and shoulder rolls. YouTube is a great place for inspiration; simply search up quick stretches or mobility moves. Scheduling these movement breaks when studying can be helpful too, whether its every forty-five or sixty minutes – it can be as simple as a quick stretch or a lap around the library! Any form of movement can help circulation and stiffness from sitting for multiple hours, as well as giving your brain a rest and your eyes a break from any screens.
How you end your day matters just as much as how you start it, so here are a few ways you can transform your winter evenings:
Incorporate slower evenings by having time away from your phone, for example, starting a craft or reading a chapter of a book. This can help you wind down after a long study day, improving your quality of sleep. You could also start a low-effort skincare routine before bed, such as applying moisturiser, lip balm and refreshing eye patches. These small, evening, self-care steps are hugely beneficial long-term.
Finally, there are easy ways to keep up motivation towards the end of term. You can do this by breaking big, overwhelming tasks into micro-goals and rewarding yourself after each one, for example, finishing a reading and having a sweet treat. Also, using study buddies can keep the momentum up – regular check-ins and study sessions together not only makes work feel less lonely but also keeps you all accountable. It’s also equally as important during the colder months to schedule in to see friends solely just to have fun and catch up.
Looking after yourself is always essential, especially when the colder months come in and your university schedule gets busier. Try one or two habits this week and see if you can feel the difference, it may make that final stretch to the Christmas break that little bit smoother.
