How to Deal With Stress In a Healthy Way While Studying

When it comes to studying, the immense pressure of performing well in each of your course assessments, assignments and examinations can be overwhelming at times. That is why it’s extremely important to develop healthy self-care tools which can aid in ensuring that the academic pressure you are experiencing does not lead to stress, burnout and fatigue.

As a student, your physical, emotional, and mental well-being is extremely important, and looking after your overall health is essential to maintaining your energy levels, motivation, concentration and focus. Of course, staying healthy while studying takes a dedicated and holistic approach, and it requires commitment, discipline and balance. Taking care of your health and well-being as a student requires you to look after your mental state by regulating your stress and energy levels. It is also recommended that students maintain an active, positive, and balanced lifestyle to care not only for their physical well-being but just as importantly, to help curate a positive emotional outlook on life as a student.

Being a student – regardless of your chosen study discipline – can be challenging, mentally draining, and emotionally taxing. So, for our comprehensive guide to the best physical, mental and emotional self-care tools you need to develop to help you avoid stress, fatigue and burnout while studying, just keep reading!

Staying Healthy As a Student Part 1: Caring For Your Mental Health

Studying to complete your chosen qualification – especially within a predetermined time frame – can be stressful! For this reason, it is essential to develop tools that can assist you to care for your mental health. Your academic well-being is also central to the successful completion of your degree. Sadly, many students can find themselves overwhelmed with their study commitment, which can, unfortunately, lead them to drop out of a course before its completion. Of course, if you are serious about completing your studies, this is something you’ll want to avoid at all costs!

Developing wellness techniques such as meditation and mindfulness can do wonders in regulating stress levels when studying. Additionally, these techniques will help you to cultivate a sense of peace, serenity, and calm of mind. This is essential when being required to focus on study tasks for extended periods. Further, regulating your stress will also help to reduce your cortisol levels. Reducing the cortisol hormone in the body can also have a beneficial impact on your physical health!

Staying Healthy As a Student Part 2: Looking After Your Physical Health

Admittedly, when managing a stressful and overwhelming study schedule, looking after one’s physical health can fall by the wayside. However, this is when it is more crucial than ever to prioritise your physical well-being. Importantly, if you do not maintain your health and energy levels, you will not be able to do your study commitment justice! Managing your health can also be considered a preventative measure, or a long-term investment in your health, so to speak. That is to say – if you make the effort to look after yourself while you are well, you are less likely to fall ill in the future!

Looking after your physical health requires you to consume a healthy and balanced diet – full of vitamins and essential nutrients. Consuming what is known as ‘brain food’ is especially vital for students. These types of foods are nutrient-rich and high in natural antioxidants and fatty acids that are essential to healthy brain cell and nerve development. In addition to this, you will need to complement your diet with physical exercise. You don’t have to go too crazy! Simple cardiovascular exercise – such as a light walk, jog or run – can be enough to raise the heart rate, and have a positive effect on your overall energy levels.

Staying Healthy As a Student Part 3: Maintaining a Balanced Lifestyle

Lastly, as a busy, overworked and overwhelmed student, it can be easy to forget to take time out for yourself! Make the effort to arrange soul-soothing activities for your time off – such as attending social events, and spending time with family and friends. As a student, having an active social life is crucial to both your mental and emotional well-being. Life shouldn’t just be about work and study. You need to make time for fun as well! That way, you can return to your study with a refreshed outlook on life, and a renewed motivation to press on with your course.

If you’re based in Melbourne, Australia, for instance, the city has an abundant range of free events and activities that are compatible with any cash-strapped student’s budget. For example, a visit to the iconic Royal Botanic Gardens is always a winner. Better yet, entry is free! Further, you can attend exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria with complimentary entry into the venue also. There are also many open-air markets – such as the Queen Victoria Market, Prahran Market, and the South Melbourne Market – which are also free to attend. The best part – you’re likely to find some penny-pinching bargains while you wander through the market stalls!

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Without a doubt, studying to complete a course, qualification or degree can be one of the most overwhelming and stressful times in your life. However, by incorporating healthy and positive wellness tools into your lifestyle and routine, you can help minimise the stresses of academic pressure. Of course, maintaining a balanced lifestyle takes discipline. It requires you to look after not only your physical health but also, to take care of your mental state. To do this, it is crucial to schedule rest, relaxation and downtime. And – perhaps most importantly – make time for fun! Book in quality time with your family, friends and loved ones. Or, perhaps check out the events and activities that are happening in your city.

Regardless of how you choose to spend your time off, however, make sure you stick to your self-care measures. That way, you can bring your best self not only to your studies, but also, to your life!