Prioritizing self-care — Building healthy habits for wellbeing and success in school

Healthy eating habits allow you to get the nutrients you need, making you feel better. It can be overwhelming to figure out what is “healthy”; check out these resources from the Government of Canada’s Food Guide website for some guidance from the experts:

• Healthy eating on campus
• Healthy food choices
• Plan what you eat

Of course, another aspect of eating well is having enough to eat. If you’re experiencing financial challenges that make it hard to afford food, the Students’ Association Food Cupboard may be able to help.

Physical activity will mean different things to different people depending on their lifestyle and abilities. However you exercise, keeping active will benefit your health.

If you are an on-campus student, you have access to the gym in the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) (Ottawa campus) or the Fitness Zone (Perth and Pembroke campuses). The ARC offers:

• Fitness equipment
• Free weights
• A running/walking track
• Fitness classes.

If you can’t make it to the gym or you have different mobility needs, there are other options to get moving, such as free workout videos on YouTube. Below is a video to guide you through a quick, seated “desk yoga” routine; if you need a break from a long day of studying/working, try it out!

Sleep is one of our basic human needs, yet many struggle with it. Here are some tips to help you get some shut-eye:

• Give yourself enough time to sleep. You need 7-9 hours of sleep each night, so make time for it, just like you make time for eating, exercising, and socializing.
• Don’t use your bed for work or eating. Though it’s tempting, don’t use your bed when you’re watching TV, eating, or doing work. Your brain should associate your bed with sleep.
• Keep a consistent sleep schedule, even on the weekend. Improve your sleep by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day…even on weekends!
• Watch your caffeine consumption. Caffeine can keep you awake, even if you had it hours earlier.

For more tips and tricks to help you sleep, check out the Sleep module in the Essential Study Skills guide. You can also watch the video below for tips for creating a good sleep environment.