Lets be real – university life is expensive. Between textbooks, rent, social nights and the occasional cheeky takeaway, budgeting becomes an extreme sport. Add trying to eat healthy on top of that? You might feel like it’s impossible. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to sacrifice your health to stick to a student budget.
Why Nutrition Matters for Students
University life can be demanding – a whirlwind of lectures, deadlines, social events and part-time jobs. Amid all this, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of eating well. Research consistently shows that good nutrition is directly linked to academic performance, mental health and physical well-being – all of which are vital for student success.
Nutrition Supports:
Cognitive Performance: The brain consumes about 20% of the body’s energy, so it’s no surprise that what you eat affects how well you think (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008).
Mental Health: Eating high-quality food nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress (Selhub, 2022).
Energy and Physical Health: Students who regularly skip meals or rely heavily on takeaways often experience irregular energy levels, poor sleep, and a higher chance of illness (Pengpid and Peltzer, 2020).
Long days of lectures, commutes or part-time jobs demand physical stamina. Nutrient-rich foods help (NHS Health Scotland, 2023):
Stabilise blood sugar, reducing energy crashes.
Support immune health, reducing the risk of illness after freshers week!
Improve sleep quality, which is essential for memory consolidation
Perhaps most importantly, university is often the first time students take full control of their own diet. The habits you form now can last into adulthood, influencing your long-term health, risk of chronic disease and relationship with food.
Note: While this slightly exceeds the £20 goal by £2, you can bring it back under budget by:
Swapping Greek yoghurt for a cheaper plain yoghurt.
Buying smaller meat portions or skipping mince.
Dropping optional extras like peanut butter.
Sample 3 – Day Meal Plan
Here’s a realistic, easy-to-cook plan for students:
Day 1:
Breakfast: Overnight oats with banana and peanut butter.
Lunch: Boil pasta and mix with tinned chickpeas and tomatoes. Add garlic or mixed herbs.
Dinner: Pan-fry chicken thighs with oil, garlic and herbs, serve with rice and veg.
Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2016)
Day 2:
Breakfast: Greek yoghurt with chopped apple and cinnamon.
Lunch: Use leftover chicken and rice in a wrap or with bread.
Dinner: Beef mince stir-fry. Cook mince beef with frozen veg and soy sauce or paprika. Serve with rice or pasta.
Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2016b)
Day 3:
Breakfast: Peanut butter toast with banana.
Lunch: Veggie omelette with toast. Just 2 eggs + frozen veg = power lunch.
Dinner: Jacket potato with baked beans and cheese (optional).
Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2020)
Best Places to Shop for Students
Lidl or Aldi – Budget-friendly staples and meat.
Tesco Everyday Value / Asda Smart Price – Affordable store brands.
Local Markets – Cheap fruit and veg (especially near closing time).
Pound Shops / Home Bargains – Good for spices, kitchen tools or tinned goods.
Tip: Sign up to loyalty cards (e.g., Tesco Clubcard) for more deals and always bring your own carrier bags!
Save More with Meal Prep & Smart Swaps
Meal Prep Tips:
Plan Ahead: Know what you’re eating before you’re starving.
Batch Cook: Make dinner, save half for lunch the next day.
Freeze Leftovers: Works well with pasta, curry, soup and rice.
Picture Source: (Dreamdecko, 2025).
Ingredient Swaps:
Use lentils to bulk out mince.
No lentils? Use chickpeas or beans.
Alternate meat days with plant-based protein like eggs or beans.
Buy cheaper cuts like drumsticks or chicken thighs.
Cooking doesn’t need to be perfect – it just needs to work for you.
Bonus: Mindful Eating = Better Living
It’s not just about eating cheap – it’s about feeling better. Cooking your own meals:
Reduces stress
Helps you focus
Saves you money
Builds confidence
If you can prep a week’s worth of healthy food for £20 now, imagine what you can do with a full-time salary later.
Tip: Try pairing your meals with a short walk, water bottle refills, and decent sleep. Small Changes = Big Wins!
Student Voices
“Meal prepping saved me at least £15 a week compared to eating out! Now I find it easier to save money to spend on things I enjoy”
– Josh, 2nd Year Psychology Student
“I Stopped skipping meals once I knew I had food ready in the fridge. Meal prepping helped me become more organised and less stressed”
– Amelia, Final Year Nursing Student
“I used to skip breakfast to save time and money, but once I started prepping overnight oats, I noticed I had more energy for my 9am lectures”
– Cameron, Third Year Physio Student
Try this £20 Meal Plan This Week!
Want to see how far your food budget can stretch? Try this 3-day plan and tag your creations with #StudentFuelChallenge. Let’s normalise healthy eating on a student budget.
Question for the readers: What’s your go-to cheap and healthy meal at uni? Drop it in the comments below!
✨ Glow on a Budget: The Student’s Guide to affordable Skincare and Haircare
For many university students, maintaining a consistent beauty routine can seem like a luxury rather than a priority. Between lectures, late-night study sessions and part-time jobs, carving out time for self-care often falls to the bottom of the list. But the truth is, looking after your skin and hair doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the right approach and a few smart choices, you can achieve a radiant look and feel confident every day, all while sticking to a student budget.
The Foundation of Radiance: Smart Skincare for Student Life
Skincare isn’t just about appearances—it’s about protecting your skin from environmental stressors, preventing breakouts, and fostering a sense of personal well-being. Establishing a consistent skincare routine is the most effective way to nurture your skin and no, it doesn’t require an arsenal of luxury products or ten complicated steps. Below is a simple step-by-step skincare routine with cheap recommendations for all the essentials.
Cleansing
A basic skincare routine begins with cleansing. For students juggling a hectic schedule, a gentle cleanser is both practical and essential. It helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin’s natural barrier. Micellar water is a great low-maintenance option, especially on nights when you’re too tired for a full skincare routine. We also love Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a dermatologist-developed formula that effortlessly removes makeup while being exceptionally gentle on your skin. This soap-free cleanser maintains your skin’s natural moisture balance and pH, leaving it soft and protected. Trusted by dermatologists for years, t’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and suitable for all ages.
Moisturising
Moisturising follows cleansing and is crucial even for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Lightweight formulas that include ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin are perfect for maintaining hydration throughout long campus days. A great moisturiser that delivers on hydration but won’t break the bank isQ+A Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser.
Sunscreen
Perhaps the most often overlooked but critical step is sunscreen. Even on cloudy days or while working indoors it’s non-negotiable when it comes to daily skincare. But why? Not only does it protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but it also helps to keep your skin looking more youthful for longer. Make sure to look for a broad-spectrum SPF that protects against UVA (the rays that age your skin) and UVB (the rays that can cause skin cancer) and wear SPF 30 as a minimum. It’s recommended to use two fingers’ worth of product to protect your face and neck – don’t forget those often-overlooked areas like your ears or your lips. Here is a list of the 10 best sun creams in the uk
Affordable, student-friendly brands like CeraVe, The Ordinary, and even Superdrug’s own skincare lines offer effective solutions to every skincare step for under £10. These products are often dermatologist-approved and focus on functionality rather than marketing frills. For example, The Ordinary’s niacinamide serumis widely praised for reducing inflammation and helping to control oil production—ideal for managing stress-induced breakouts.
Navigating the Ingredient Jungle
Understanding skincare ingredients is empowering. Instead of falling for the latest TikTok trends, you can make informed decisions based on specific skin type and concerns. Ingredients such as niacinamide are helpful for calming redness and boosting the skin’s barrier, while hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture without adding heaviness. Salicylic acid is beneficial for acne-prone skin, as it penetrates deep into pores to clear blockages and prevent breakouts. Vitamin C, meanwhile, is excellent for brightening dull complexions and fading pigmentation over time.
On the other hand, students should steer clear of alcohol-heavy toners and products with synthetic fragrances, especially if they have sensitive skin. These can strip the skin and cause irritation, exacerbating rather than solving skincare problems. Always remember to patch test new products—a simple yet often forgotten step that could prevent discomfort and inflammation.
To break this down we have created a handy chart below:
For those eager to dive deeper into ingredient knowledge, websites such as Paula’s Choice ingredient dictionary provide reliable, science-backed explanations of product labels.
Haircare Without the Hassle
While dry shampoo and top knots are staples of student style, your hair deserves just as much care as your skin. Over washing is one of the most common haircare mistakes, washing your hair two to three times a week is sufficient for most types and allows your scalp’s natural oils to maintain balance.
Heat protection is non-negotiable if you’re using straighteners or curlers. Just a few seconds of applying a heat shield spray can prevent long-term damage and keep your strands strong. Deep conditioning once a week can work wonders, especially during exam season when stress and lack of sleep take a toll on your overall health—including your hair.
DIY treatments
Can offer nourishment on a budget. A simple hair mask made from ingredients like coconut oil and honey can restore moisture, while a mixture of yoghurt and lemon is ideal for oily scalps. These natural remedies are not only affordable but also avoid the harsh chemicals often found in commercial products. Here are 13 at home treatments to try!
Styling
Styling your hair on a student budget doesn’t mean compromising on style. With smart choices and affordable tools, you can achieve versatile looks that are both trendy and wallet friendly. Below is a Pinterest board we created full of the best student friendly styling tips and hair styles.
Ultimately, beauty is about more than looking good—it’s about feeling empowered, confident, and ready to face the day. In a university environment where pressures can come from many directions, taking care of your skin and hair is a small but powerful act of self-care. It provides structure, encourages discipline, and boosts self-esteem.
📣 Your Turn: Share Your Tips!
Have a skincare product you swear by or a hair hack that saves your life on lecture days? Drop a comment below and share your best tips with fellow students. You can also link your favorite tutorials, product reviews or add your favorite styles to our public Pinterest board!
Imagine a world where you could effortlessly access all the nutritional information of your food with a simple scan or effortlessly track your diet by recording your meals and calculating the calories, fat, carbs, and protein you consume per meal.
Luckily for you, you don’t need to imagine, as with the latest technology, new apps are being developed where all of these things are now available right at the tip of your finger. QR code scanning and online diet trackers are taking the nutrition industry by storm; online nutrition and diet tracking apps have accumulated over 200 million downloads, with people aged between 25-44 making up 60% of the users. (Trishita Deb, 2025). Around 50 leading online nutrition apps are available to you, many of them being free, meaning that it has never been easier for you to start your diet.
But what makes them so popular?
Their popularity is rooted in their user-friendly nature. Take MyNetDiery, for instance. It’s the fifth most used online nutrition app in Ireland (Sensor Tower, 2024), it’s free, it allows you to set diet plans and weight loss goals and presents your nutritional information in easy-to-understand tables and graphs and it even grades each meal and snack you log to give you a clear picture of its nutritional value.
It even allows you to log food that might not necessarily have a QR code, such as food from fast food restaurants. It has the names and nutritional information from most fast-food restaurants in its database so that even without a QR code, you log exactly what you eat.
My net diary is one of the easiest online diet tracking apps available on the market, in a review by Dr Mark Morris (Dr Morris, 2024) they went on to say how efficiently the data was presented to the user, making it perfect for beginners to calorie counting apps, or experienced calorie counters who appreciate and/or prefer a more simplistic approach.
MyNetDairy is developing an AI camera scanner, where you can simply take a photo of your plate of food; it will analyse what’s there and estimate the total number of calories on your plate. (Ajmera, 2022)
Why should I use them?
You can use these apps to get a proper hold of your fitness aspirations as well as make sure that what you eat is best for you without any risk or payment.
They also allow you to make a choice; when you’re looking in the shop for what you want, you can simply scan the foods you are comparing and get a second opinion purely based on their nutritional information, making the healthier option more apparent.
They are also incredibly useful for people with allergies. If you have a peanut allergy, for instance, and you’re not sure if what you are buying has peanuts in it, you can scan the QR code, and it will tell you whether it may contain them.
Most of them are free to download and use, offering core services like QR code scanning and diet tracking. This means you can explore these apps without any financial risk. If you don’t find them useful, you can simply uninstall them without any sense of wasted investment.
Is there a downside to them?
Simply put, yes, like anything, there is a downside. The biggest issue with these apps is the danger they pose to people with eating disorders or people who are very self-conscious about their weight. In a study done by Cheri A Levinson (Levinson, 2018). She found that when 105 people with eating disorders used the app, 75% of them used a QR code and calorie-counting app, with 73% of them saying that the app contributed heavily to their eating disorders.
Calorie-counting apps can sometimes have a detrimental effect on their users, who may not understand how to stop using the app when they have achieved their goal. Eating disorders could arise from using these apps or they may worsen the symptoms for a person.
The apps also don’t seem to care about under-eating users. When you put the weight you want to achieve into the app, it will make you a plan on how to achieve it, such as how many calories you should consume a day, and what types of foods you should be eating. If you go over the designated calorie limit, the app will tell you to eat less; however, if you are eating fewer calories, or even dangerously low amounts, it may not give you any warning. Instead, it will just tell you that you will achieve your goal even quicker than expected.
What’s my takeaway?
I am personally a chicken korma with pilau rice kind of guy; my girlfriend, on the other hand, prefers a nice juicy burger, but no matter what sort of food you like, it’s now never been easier to log your food and keep track of your diet and weight loss goals.
The future of diets is here, and there has never been a better time to set a goal for yourself. You can be ambitious, or you can start easy and simple, there are no restrictions on what you can do to your diet. No matter what you do, these apps are always going to be here to help you, always changing, always being developed to make your diet more effective.
Track your way to a healthier you.
Why don’t you tell me what you think? Have you used one of these apps before? If you think I’ve missed something, please let me know by leaving a comment in the box below.
If you found my blog useful, please give it a thumbs up, and if you have any ideas on what I should write about next, please leave a comment; if I like it, I may write about it.
“Balancing work and study sounded like nothing until both started doing combo on you”
Between the non-stop calls from hungry customers and getting chased by the “deadline demon” somehow I find time to get my hands on my precious camera.
Life In The Takeaway
Working in a takeaway shop while trying to do some assignment doesn’t sound exactly like a pretty plan, one minute, I am handing out prawn crackers to customers the next second you see me tapping on my laptop with my greasy fingers and dropping curry sauce on my notes, balancing work with study for a full-time university student feels like juggling chopsticks-messy, awkward but sometimes impressive and surprised how I manage to make it somehow I get this rewarding feeling?
In this blog, I’ll share how I cope with the chaos of work and university, along with general photography tips, and how I still manage to smile at that one customer who orders two banquets at closing time-no extra pay or tips 🙁
Image from imgflip
Finally Have Money But At What Cost
While earning money 6 days a week gives me a pretty decent budget to spend, however, free time isn’t really on my side, no free time to spend on socialising, or travelling, but in ROBUX!! It created distances with all my friends, multiple times I got invited to parties and hangouts but I always pulled the same lame answer “Sorry bro, finishing at 22:30 today” Eventually each and everyone stopped inviting me, while I was earning money, I am missing out in creating core memories. Working non-stop might boost your wallet, but for sure it starve your social life.
Burnout Is Real
A lot of the time, I come home from work so tired I just sit there, staring at my laptop, clicking random spots on the desktop like I’m unlocking a secret level of procrastination.
I physically want to open that assignment document, but mentally, it’s like my hands are rebelling. Next thing I know, it’s 5 a.m. and I’m still looking for sources and references I probably won’t use. This phenomenon actually has a name:task paralysis. It’s when your brain taps out even though your to-do list is screaming.
Burnout isn’t just being tired, it’s that deep-fried feeling where your brain feels like it’s been tossed in the deep frier along with the spring rolls. I’ve genuinely considered submitting a takeaway receipt instead of an actual assignment, just to see if my lecturer would notice.
Trying to balance takeaway shifts and Uni life is physically draining and mentally numbing. But what keeps me going is knowing I’m not the only one in this mess. There are loads of people out there on the same boat with half a paddle.
Eventually, I stopped pretending I could “power through” everything and started taking proper breaks. I even picked up photography again. It doesn’t fix everything, but it reminds me I’m more than just work and deadlines.
What I’ve Learned With Street Photography
It had been a while since I picked up my Fujifilm camera, there is something about Fujifilm’s APS-C cameras that I can’t explain, the classic vintage look. Or maybe the “Film Simulation” that it offers, while modern cameras like Sony or Canon focus on ultra sharp and feature-filled cameras, Fujifilm offers something different, vintage old yet fused with modern technology, and it just sparks some sort of feel to it, making feels less “Digital” but “Alive”.
Upgrading from a Fujifilm X-T4 to the X100VI felt like a release. Switching from a bulky, heavy setup to a compact, fixed-lenses essentially a point-and-shoot-style camera was like finding my place in heaven. No more lugging gear around or feeling like I was getting punched in the stomach every time I hung a camera around my neck. The X100VI is pocket-sized, discreet, and effortless and the 23mm (35mm equivalent) f1.4 its just my perfection for capturing moments without disturbing them.
Photo by Adorama
Now, I can take photos without turning heads or interrupting what’s unfolding. It’s just me and the streets, documenting the pure, unfiltered scenes that convey a story. There’s something magical about catching those real, in-between moments nothing staged, nothing forced. Just life, exactly as it is, just right there and then, unique moment that does not happen twice.
Photo by jsnl.jpg
Street Photography
Street photography wasn’t a part of the Uni curriculum, but it ended up teaching me more than many of my lectures. Somewhere between work shifts and late-night assignment sessions, I picked up the camera again, not because I had time, but because I needed a better break than lying face down on my bed to recover from work.
Who I learn about street photography from?
I love wandering around with a camera instead of applying SWOT and PESTEL, I constantly remind myself and learning how to used to the “Exposure Triangle” managing Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO it gave me a way to stop and make sense of the world around me, and it honestly helped provide a little bit of peace and recover my mind. It forced me to slow down and take a look at my surroundings, rather than racing through life on autopilot, and pay attention to life and feel alive for a short while.
Photography It’s an expensive hobby to pick up, I constantly find accessories I can buy especially for non-fixed-lensed cameras wanting to experience different focal lengths, but for me, 23mm is just perfect, but photography isn’t essentially about the gear, it’s about preferences and basic knowledge and more importantly, the person behind that camera, you define what you want to capture and what story your want to tell.
Photo by jsnl.jpg
Fujifilm Camera Recommendation
If you want to get into Fujifilm I recommend the X-E4 it is compact here’s why you should get explained in a video I watched.
If in a budget I do recommend the XT-2 , in fact this was my first camera I ever bought! had so much memories with it !
Photography really had changed me, every time I hangout I just want to bring my camera with me even if I don’t think I am going use it, but every now and then I look at something and just want to take a picture of it just because it feels nice to look at, I never really understand why, but I love capturing this unexplained feeling, and a great way to escape my work and Uni stress.
Photos by jsnl.jpg
Check out my photography Instagram page
Don’t forget to share your opinions and tips in the comments!
Feeling stuck in life can be incredibly frustrating; especially when it feels like a permanent state. You may be struggling with a lack of motivation, overwhelmed with responsibility or entirely unsure of your next step.
This blog offers advice in mindset shifts, intentional actions and finding clarity through practical strategies which will break you free from stagnation.
It is time to reclaim control over your time and energy- your journey starts here!
Here is how to level up your life!
In this blog I will delve into what causes procrastination and how to avoid it.
Alongside my advice, I will guide you towards some of the influencers who have helped with my personal development journey!
Source: unsplash.com
IDENTIFYING LIMITING BELIEFS:
Source: unsplash.com
After so long of being stuck in a cycle of a negative mental attitude – it can become quite hard to separate beliefs from reality. Thoughts such as ‘I’m so behind in life’ and ‘there’s no way I can accomplish this’ often cause self-sabotaging behaviours as well as endless ‘mind chatter’.
The video below demonstrates how these thought patterns often ‘stem from a place of fear’ and do not accurately reflect reality. You will gain access to a free self-reflection worksheet to help you start this new, happier chapter of your life:
»Awareness: What triggers you? What is holding you back? What are the underlying beliefs making you feel this way? Where did this come from?
» Changing beliefs/manifesting a new reality: Ingrain new beliefs such as “I can confidently handle any challenging task; these challenges help me grow so I embrace them”.
» Reprogramme your mind: When your brain is in a calm state such as when meditating, right before falling asleep/waking up, repeat positive affirmations to rewire your thoughts!
Below is a summary I created of observing negative thoughts – a useful guide to challenging behaviours!
Procrastination is ‘the act of delaying or putting off tasks and decisions’. It is an issue which we all face from time to time however the key to maximising potential is through limiting this act. During my time in high school, I was the first-person people would think about when someone mentioned procrastination. I constantly missed deadlines; watching Netflix shows rather than revising. It felt like a never-ending cycle of guilt, yet I did nothing proactive to put an end to it! It resulted in poor grades, and a lack of trust from teachers.
Then, one day, I stumbled across a former lawyer-turned motivational speaker named Mel Robbins. Her podcasts took me on a much-needed journey of productivity and personal growth. The first video I ever watched of her’s was named “How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over”.
Her first point was to be selfish – something I did not expect to hear.
Sometimes you must put yourself first so that you can be better for others. This was a point that stuck out to me as someone who cared a lot about what others thought of me.
We convince ourselves that we are fine not having things as an excuse not to take action! When really, to live the fullest life, we must understand the importance of meaningful actions- not only to reward our future selves, but also so that we can live presently without worrying what could happen.
The odds of us being born are 1: 400,000,000,000. Why do we see things as unattainable when these are the stats!?
Her main point was that “you’re never going to feel like it”. Procrastination is often caused by ‘what if’s’. “What if I fail”, “what if I am doing it all wrong”.
When we have an impulse to start something, we must act within 5 seconds. Waiting any longer pulls the ‘emergency break’ according to Mel – leading to the same old cycle of self-doubt and pity.
“Do it unmotivated, do it despite your mood as nobody else is going to make you”.
This is exactly what I did. I began to achieve better grades, meet deadlines and even had time to make more plans with friends. It was all about turning my brain off autopilot! Small steps such as creating a structured morning routine and avoiding social media after waking up helped me to rewire my brain.
That’s just some of the video that changed my life. I’d recommend watching the entire video linked above. Her words are complimented by humour and scientific research:
Too often I hear people put the blame on social media for making Generation Z lazy – here is why I disagree…
» If it wasn’t social media causing distraction it would be something else.
NOW WHAT DOES THIS MEAN:
The earliest record of the use of the word ‘procrastination’ dates back to the 1540’s. This means the phenomenon has been around way before humans began using social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok. Chances are that people were distracted by other things like reading which nowadays would be considered a productive use of time. Furthermore, in ancient Greek times, orator Demosthenes shaved one side of his head to avoid public speaking.
» Social media can be used as motivation.
It is important that we pay attention to the content we consume. I found that following creators such as other university students as well as those I shared passions with was a great way to rewire my brain. Following pessimistic or unmotivated individuals can subconsciously transfer similar ideologies back to us, causing feelings of anxiety and stress.
Thanks for reading! Think about this:
Whilst staying in bed all day, eating chocolate and scrolling through socials does sound very appealing (trust me, I’ve been there), take a second to think about its long-term impacts.
Whatever ideas have been circling your mind, whether that be a new project or perhaps you want to try out a new hobby – start now! Take this post as a sign to start living not just existing.
Why not comment down below your advice? Let’s motivate each other!
In this article we will be exploring what mental wellbeing is and ways that you can keep it healthy.
What is Mental wellbeing?
Mental wellbeing is our internal positive view that we are coping well psychologically with the everyday stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully. Good mental health means we can realise and reach our full potential , feel safe and secure and thrive in everyday life. It is especially important to care for your mental wellbeing while in university.
Here are 10 ways that you can help manage your mental wellbeing:
Regular exercise
Yes! most of us hate the idea of exercise, but study have shown that it is one of the most beneficial ways to maintain a healthy mental state. Exercise is a powerful way to improve your mental welling for various reasons, it encourages all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation. new activity patterns can promote feelings of calmness and well-being. it also releases endorphins in your brain and can also count as a distraction from life stresses. Not sure where to start? click here to start your fitness journey.
2. Get enough sleep
Adequate sleep is crucial for emotional regulation and resilience. We spend approximately a third of our lives asleep, it is an essential and involuntary process which allows us to function correctly. getting roughly 8 hours of sleep each night is important, some benefits include:
get sick less often
stay at a healthy weight
lowers your risk of health problems
reduced stress and improved mood
clear thinking
3. connect with others
Meeting new people and connecting with friends is important, not only to maintain your social life but to also improve your mental wellbeing. Keeping in touch With others can help create feelings of belonging and being loved, cared for and valued. Being connected with others amazingly helps to protect agains serious illness and disease as people with stronger social bonds are more likely to live longer, healthier lives. Meeting new people is definitely easier said than done, introverted people who struggle with socialising with others may find this more challenging. If this is you then check out this video.
4. Practice mindfulness or meditation
Mindfulness allows us to pay attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves. Sometimes we spend so much time focusing on everything around us that we forget to ground ourselves and look within. Meditation is a great way to improve wellbeing as it allows us to easily:
reduce stress
controls anxiety
supports emotional health
enhances self-awareness
lengthens attention span
reduces age-related memory loss
generates kindness
ease addiction
improve sleep
reduce pain
what’s even better about meditation is that unlike exercise, where you may need special equipment or large spaces, you can do meditation from the comfort of your bed.
5. Eat a healthy balanced diet
What you eat doesn’t just dictate how you look on the outside it also plays a significant role in how your mental health functions. Check out this article on how to establish a healthy diet, doing so will protect you among many noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. eating a variety of foods and consuming less sugars, salts and saturated fats are essential to step into a healthier diet.
6. Reduce alcohol and avoid drugs
Alcohol and drugs may be viewed as something that can help mental well being, when in fact they do the complete opposite. They can increase stress, anxiety and cause a myriad of health problems. Recreational drugs can even lead to long-term mental health problems such as depression and schizophrenia. Instead, consider some healthier options that will benefit you in the long run rather than harm you and learn about the harm here.
7. set realistic goals
Setting realistic goals is important because it helps to create a sense of purpose through structure and achievement. When you set goals that are achievable they build confidence and motivate you to achieve your best. If you set unrealistic goals they can lead to frustration, burnout and make you feel like you’ve failed. When setting goals for yourself use the SMART acronym to allow yourself to set realistic and achievable goals to improve your life.
8. Do things you enjoy
Participating in your favourite hobbies can be an amazing way to reconnect with yourself and greatly contributes to a better mood and overall wellbeing. Hobbies not only prevent feelings of stress, but they also provide an effective outlet in which to project anxiety and worries through mental and physical stimulation. Also, learning a new hobby can create a sense of accomplishment which therefore promotes feelings of confidence and increased self-esteem. let us know your favourite hobbies!
9. Keep a journal
Journaling is a powerful tool for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. By writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal can help you to process complex thoughts and feelings. As you journal you can notice any patterns or triggers which can lead to improved self-awareness and allow your to regulate your emotions better. Expressive writing helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression by allowing individuals to confront and make sense of their experiences.
10. Seeking professional help
If all else fails, being able to recognise when you need to seek professional help is crucial for mental wellbeing. Mental health professionals such as therapists an councillors are trained to help you navigate though these challenges. Early interventions can prevent issues from escalating and provide you with effective coping strategies. In the UK, organisations like Mind offer resources and helplines to assist those in need. There are also many other resources for help such as NHS services. It is important to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength.
Taking care of your mental wellbeing is an ongoing journey and may not be a one-time fix. Take some of the suggestions above and incorporate them into your daily life, experiment with which ones work for you and which don’t. Through your journey you will build resilience and improve your overall quality of life to result in a better you.
Let us know your thoughts below and let us know what worked for you!
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