This isn’t the usual newsletter of pharmacy study content. Just in time before heading back to uni this is your self-care reminder! It is essential that we look after our mental health while at uni. It is really easy to be so swept up in the stress of outstanding assignments and studying that we forget to take a break. Here are a few ways to look after our mental health while studying what is without a doubt a very content-heavy and full on degree.

Exercise

A wee bit of lifestyle advice we are giving patients that we should really consider taking for ourselves too! Exercise is a very important way to look after our health both physically and mentally simultaneously.

It is not as hard to fit into your day as you think. Why not walk to uni on those dry days instead of getting the bus? Nowadays, your phone can track your steps or there are many cheap pedometers or fitness watches available to help you achieve your daily step goal. For those living at home, why not bring your furry friend along too after all they need exercise too. There are also many gyms which offer student discount for students.

Exercise boosts our body’s production of endorphins which are neurotransmitters released by the brain. These can lower stress, alleviate pain, improve mood and enhance your sense of well-being.

Sleep

As uni students we are no stranger to a little sleep deprivation. It is recommended that adults receive at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Sleeping helps to repair and restore our brains, not only our bodies.

Sleep is also essential for helping us with our studies because while we are sleeping our brain is forming new pathways to help us to learn and retain information. Sleep also aids concentration which helps when you have a long day of lectures and lab practicals.

Tidying and cleaning

Tidy room, tidy mind! Clutter and mess can subconsciously create more anxiety and stress. Cleaning, reorganising and reducing clutter helps us to take control of our environment. The absence of clutter can reduce the overstimulation produced by too many visual stimuli, enabling increased focus and ability to concentration.

Hobbies

Hobbies are a way of doing something that we enjoy. They are good for our mental health as students for a number of reasons such as stress management, improving productivity and give a sense of accomplishment.

Some ideas of hobbies to take up include sports (which also doubles up as exercise!), reading, playing an instrument, dancing, singing, art or gardening.

Reducing screen time

Reducing screen time frees up time to connect with friends and family. It also allows us to take in our surroundings and take time for our hobbies. Therefore, cutting the time we spend looking at screens has a positive impact.

Friends and family

Having a strong support system is greatly beneficial when it comes to studying a full-on university degree such as pharmacy. Good relationships with friends and family help to boost our overall well-being giving us a sense of belonging and purpose. It is good to have someone there that we can talk to as it isn’t good to keep things bottled up. At university there are endless opportunities to meet new people with there being so many societies, for example.

The PillBox