Back to the wonderful yet stressful student life – how to take care of yourself in the autumn rush

1. Taking care of the basics

It’s odd that we always cut back on exercise, healthy eating or rest, when these are the very things that keep us going. Sometimes it can be difficult to write an important essay or prepare a presentation when you’re running at half power, but you should still avoid compromising on your basic needs. When you eat, sleep and exercise enough, your studies and other everyday tasks go better.

2. Taking breaks

In the day-to-day, it’s all too easy to get stuck in place, making your body stiff and tense. To keep your brain and muscles in good order, it’s a good idea to take short breaks while studying. Every half an hour or so, do some break exercise to keep your circulation going. To make this easier, you could try the pomodoro technique, which involves working in cycles with short breaks in between. Typically, each session lasts 25 minutes, followed by a five-minute break before the next session. A small change of posture or a few steps is enough to stimulate the circulation.

3. Routines

Life starts to run more smoothly when you create and maintain routines that promote your wellbeing. You can add a little something extra to morning routines like brushing your teeth and eating breakfast to make them more pleasant. For example, listening to your favourite music or podcast in the morning while doing your chores can boost your mood and give a pleasant start to the day. A little exercise in the form of stretching or morning yoga can also be an effective way to fully wake yourself up before studying.

4. Leisure time matters

As the year gets underway, the calendar tends to fill up quickly. Remember to leave yourself some free time when planning your days. Recharging the batteries and doing fun things is an important counterbalance to the stress and rush of studying. Spend your free time however suits you best. The key thing is to do something you like – or do nothing at all. A good way to find a leisure activity that suits you is to try different things and see what’s right for you.

5. Resting when sick

If the autumn flu strikes, cancel whatever you need to cancel and just allow yourself to rest and recover at home. This will also prevent the illness from becoming prolonged, and from spreading to others. Being on the move while sick is tough and stressful, and can slow down recovery. The best way to beat the flu is to get enough rest and stay hydrated.

Hopefully these tips will help you get going gently and at least a little less painfully. The most important thing is that you pay attention to your own needs and take care of yourself in the way that suits you best.

Have a rewarding and vigorous study year!