There have long been connections between sports and mental health. However, the circumstances for university students are particularly unique and can be somewhat more challenging - moderating physical activity and mental health while completing a post-secondary education can be a lot to handle.
Research has shown that sports can be a great way for university students to mitigate the stress of school, but it is important to strike a balance between all of the facets of your life to not become overwhelmed. In addition to eating healthy, getting exercise and resting, all of which are likely already part of a student athlete’s regime, there are a number of other actions that can taken to find stability.
Here are Univerus’ top tips for balancing school, sports and mental health as a university student.
Be realistic about your goals
Setting goals for yourself is never a bad thing. Especially as a student with a world of new possibilities, it can be tempting to try and take on anything and everything, but it is imperative to keep your goals realistic and attainable. With too much on your plate, responsibilities can become more and more difficult to manage. Think critically about what sports and activities matter the most to you and start by committing yourself to those first. There is always room to grow and challenge yourself later on.
Stay organized
One of the easiest ways for mental health to get away from us is when we feel overwhelmed. Finding an equilibrium between school, sports and taking time for yourself won’t happen overnight, but staying consistently organized can help get you there faster. Developing strong time management and organizational skills is a great way to keep everything under control.
There have been many studies linking a clean and organized space to positive mental health. In addition, many students find that organizing their school requirements and extra-curricular activities in a visual calendar or chart is a great way to allot enough time for everything they want to accomplish.
Reach out
Managing school, sports and academics can be a tricky shift, and can often lead to students feeling out of control. However, one positive thing about being in this position is that there is rarely a situation where you will have to go it alone. Universities often offer extensive help to students that are having difficulty transitioning into student life, as well as a number of mental health resources.
Since the pandemic, cases of mental health issues have risen exponentially, and are very high in younger people - 9 out of 10 university students experienced some mental health problems in recent history. Beyond University resources, there are plenty of online and in-person mental health outlets that can be of use, and have become much more commonplace due to pandemic-era issues.
Take time for yourself
Taking time to rest and recharge is perhaps the most crucial element of having a healthy and manageable day-to-day. While it might seem like taking time off will set you back, you can’t be your best self when exhausted and unmotivated. Experts say that the moment work or performance quality starts to decline is a good indicator of when a break should be taken. A recent survey found that 74% of millennials and Generation-Z workers report being distracted at some point during the day, and of those, 46% say it makes them feel unmotivated while 41% say it causes them stress. Taking breaks allows our brains and bodies to get the recharge we need to mentally and physically take on the day. Univerus is committed to providing our customers and their users with the tools and resources to help them thrive in their communities. Contact us today to learn more about our member management software.
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