Tips for a healthy body & mind

Take care of yourself

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Keeping in touch with what brings us joy is vital to our wellbeing. Socialising, exercising, eating well and staying connected with friends and family are all factors that contribute to a worthwhile and fulfilling life.

Too often, it is these activities that are put to the side when we get very busy and feel like we may have conflicting priorities. Making time to take care of yourself will enable you to manage the demands of study and life.

Tips for healthy eating

A good diet is fundamental to your health

It helps you maintain a healthy weight, improve immunity, reduce the risk of disease, and keep energy levels up all day.

Plan meals and snacks around colourful vegetables, fruits and wholegrains. Add protein and iron rich foods like lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Some dairy can also contribute to your protein intake. Focus on heart healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds and olive oil.

As a general rule, everything is ok ‘in moderation’. However, too much sugar, caffeine, saturated fat or salt can have a negative impact on your health, sleep and energy levels. Limit foods with low nutritional value, such as chocolate, lollies, potato chips and energy drinks.

Resources:

• Eating well
• Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
• Boosting body image
• Modelling healthy body image

Tips for a healthy body

Keeping your body healthy means staying active

As a student, it’s inevitable that you’ll spend large parts of your day sitting down – either in lectures or at a computer doing assignments – and that can have a negative impact on how your body feels.

Exercise regularly (in whatever way works for you – a team sport, walking, running, yoga or dancing) for great benefits to both your physical and mental health.

can provide us with an enormous sense of well-being.

It will help you boost your energy throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive. It can also help you better cope with challenges and stress.

A healthy body also means safe sex and healthy relationships. Sexual health involves every aspect of sexual relationships, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you need any sexual health support or simply have questions, visit our Medical Centre on campus.

Resources:

Sexual Health

Tips for a happy & healthy mind

University life can be stressful at times

As a student, you’ll need to adjust to balancing study, work, financial, family and social commitments, all while getting used to a new environment.

Take regular breaks from study sessions, stay physically active, eat well and stay hydrated. Ask our Support team for help finding study methods that work best for you. You can also manage stress by managing your time well – be prepared and organised, attend all your classes, and start assignments early so they don’t become a source of anxiety.

Find more practical stress management tips on this page.

Practicing daily meditation and mindfulness exercises can also be a valuable tool, with many useful apps you can access from any device.

Learn more about meditation benefits and resources.

Resources:

• Action for Happiness
• Talk yourself up
• Your Personal Best – Reach Out

For a good night’s sleep

Get an early night

Getting enough good quality sleep is vital to feeling and performing your best.

Some tips include:

• Take in some daylight/sunlight for 5 minutes at least each morning.
• Sit outside with your morning cup of coffee. This enables your body to regulate itself throughout the day and prepare for sleep at night.
• Make the most of nature’s ability to soothe and improve your mood.
• Be mindful of what you eat and when you eat it. Avoid protein/high carb/GI/sugary foods up to two hours before you go to bed. This helps prepare your body to rest at night.
• Control stimuli. Go offline an hour before going to sleep and try activities other than online games, checking emails or social media for up to two hours before sleeping.
• Keep big electronic clocks and TVs/laptops/phones in rooms other than the bedroom.
• Use some energy earlier in the day, even if it is just a 20-minute walk.
• Have a shower or bath one hour before bed – this will help your body temperature regulate ready for sleep.
• Make your bedroom somewhere peaceful and pleasant to be.
• Get out of bed and do something quiet if you are not asleep within half an hour.

Find other useful ideas and tips for sleeping well