When you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you might find that the first things to fall away are your basic self-care activities as you try to prioritize tasks and responsibilities that feel more urgent. This is a common experience that many people have when facing stress.
However, in order to help your body and mind function at their best, manage stress, and have the energy you need to accomplish tasks, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself first and meeting those basic needs for sleep, hydration, exercise, and nutrition.
Check out the collection of tips and resources below to explore how you can increase healthy practices that support your well-being.
► Sleep. Sleep is foundational to our well-being. It is when our body repairs from stress and strain, and not getting enough sleep or experiencing poor sleep can take a toll on your quality of life. In order to give your body the rest and repair it needs, sleep is important. For information about the importance of sleep and tips to achieve better sleep, check out the Healthy Sleep, Healthy Life video series from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
► Hydration. Our bodies need to stay hydrated in order to function well. Want to learn more about why staying hydrated matters and what you can do to help increase the amount of water you drink each day? Check out these tips from Mayo Clinic Health System!
► Exercise. Burn off stress, increase those feel-good endorphins, boost your mood, and feel more connected to your body by taking time to incorporate physical activity and movement into your day. The key to keeping up with exercise routines is to find the types of movement that feel best for your body and that help keep you engaged. For more information about the benefits of exercise for mental health and tips on incorporating exercise into your day, explore this in-depth article from Help Guide.
- Did you know… Lancer Recreation has a huge collection of videos featuring simple workouts you can do at home? Visit their YouTube channel!
- Looking for live classes? Lancer Rec has that too! Check out their weekly schedule of free online fitness and instructional classes, including yoga, HIIT, and cardio!
► Nutrition. Eating healthy can be tough when you’re feeling overwhelmed, but maintaining a healthy diet is important for helping to manage stress, support your physical and mental health, and maintain your energy and focus. Check out these nutrition tips for busy students from a registered dietitian at Carleton University!
Eating healthy can be even harder if you’re on a tight budget or are having a tough time affording food. When you’re struggling to find enough food to eat, it can bring up many difficult emotions and leave you feeling stressed, worried, and alone. Everyone deserves to have access to the food they need to sustain their well-being. If you’re having a hard time affording food or don't have enough money each month to cover your expenses, know that you’re not alone. You shouldn’t have to choose between food and other necessary purchases, but as the cost of living goes up many students find that this is their experience. That’s why the UWSA has established the Campus Food Pantry – a safe, welcoming, judgment-free environment where students can access the food they need. Learn more about the Campus Food Pantry.
Your well-being matters. Have questions specific to your health and well-being, or want to talk to a professional about how you can best meet your basic needs? Please reach out to Student Health Services and set up an appointment to connect with one of our knowledgeable healthcare providers!