Ditch the junk food and get cooking!
You don’t need to be a medic to know that junk food isn’t healthy! While it can be oh-so-easy to grab that pizza or pot noodle, if you want your body to perform then it needs healthy fuel! So whether you choose to make beans on toast, tuna pasta, or fancy checking out some of these student recipes, treat your body with the respect it deserves!
Get active!
Some of you may be athletically gifted, while others might find the idea of donning trainers absolutely petrifying. Either way, being active doesn’t necessarily mean being sporty, but it is essential for being healthy!
The great thing about UCL is that there a plenty of sports for you to try – from hiking to hockey, pilates to polo – there is a high chance you can find something for you. If group activities aren’t your thing, why not go out for a walk, grab a bike, or take the stairs instead of the lift? After all, those endorphins will have you feeling great, and looking great too!
Spend time with your friends!
UCL students are a nice bunch, but sometimes we forget to actually spend time with one another. So whether it is society friends, teammates, flatmates or course friends, having a laugh together is a great way to turn your frown upside down! If you are struggling to settle in and find your pack, try joining a society – there are plenty about – from anime to Argentinian tango, climate action to chocolate! Whatever you choose to do, the most important thing is spending time with people who make you feel great about you!
Make someone else smile!
Volunteering is not only great for society but will make you feel great too! The Volunteering Service has lots of opportunities to get involved – whether you are looking for something one-off, or regular. If you don’t want to something formal, try buying food for the homeless on your way home, opening the door for your lecturer, putting some litter in the bin, or making a cuppa for your flatmate at the end of the day. All of these things will put a smile on someone else’s face, and probably your own too.
Get your shut eye!
It seems pretty obvious, but we need our beauty sleep! Ideally, you should be aiming for seven to nine hours a night, which can be hard when you have 9am lectures, networking events and club nights to cram into your schedule. Sometimes it is a matter of scheduling, grabbing an early supper rather than a night out, or getting a head start on your essay to avoid an all-nighter. Other times, it is actually getting to sleep that’s the issue. Try turning your phone off an hour before bed, keeping to a regular bed time, and trying some meditation.
Have some me time, and let yourself relax!
Learning to relax can be hard. Some of our favourite ways include: mindfulness, yoga, drawing, writing, running, or walking. Try to build in at least 10 minutes a day where you just stop and do something for you, even if that is just remembering to breath.
We hope you all have a happy and healthy rest of the year!