5 ways to help you de-stress after a day at Uni

Everyone knows University can become a stressful time, with deadlines piling up, having to budget your student loan and being away from home. But don’t let these struggles over power you, as University is one of the best and most memorable experiences you can be part of. From making new friends, learning new things and finding out who you are, University is a time to enjoy and make the most of being independent.

So here are a few tips to help you de-stress when University life all gets a bit too much.

1: Go for a 15 minute walk

Nothing can beat a walk in the fresh air as it boost endorphins which, in turn, reduce stress hormones and helps you feel much more relaxed. Even better, walking in a park or green space can help put your body into a state of meditation. A quick 15 minute walk every evening before bed could help you feel much calmer before you sleep and help you drift off much more easily.

2. Eat a snack

And no, I don’t mean something unhealthy like a packet of crisps! Dr. Drew Ramsey, an assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons said, “The connection between the gut and brain is huge — called the ‘gut-brain axis’ — and lots of interesting data supports the idea that the gut is a major mediator of the stress response,”

Nothing is more stressful for the brain than being hungry, so grab yourself an apple, a handful of nuts or a yoghurt and feed your brain before you start any stressful Uni work.

3. Chew gum

It may seem stupid, but chewing gum can relieve anxiety, improve your alertness and reduce stress during episodes of multitasking.

4. Turn off your phone

Distractions slow down productivity and in turn can increase stress. Talking can also increase blood pressure, so the best thing to do when you know you need to crack on and get your work complete is to turn yourself off from the world, put your phone away and just get down to business. An hour or two without your phone will not kill you!

5. Make lists

Writing down a list of everything you need to do in the order of importance is a great way to help destress and add structure to your day.

Break down tasks into smaller chunks to make them even more manageable and achievable, and adding small tick boxes for when completed can help add a visual sense of completion.