Between school, work and every other part of student life, taking care of yourself can easily fall to the bottom of a long list of priorities. As it turns out, a lot of the typical wellness tips and tricks can make the biggest difference in supporting your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Bon appétit
Diet plays a role in maintaining both mental and physical health. The key is to ensure that you are adequately fueling your body with all the nutrients that it needs to run. This will look different from person to person.
Need help meal planning? Consider reaching out to a registered dietitian on campus. They are an informative resource for learning about nutrition, navigating food restrictions and more.
For those living with sensitive bowels, trial-and-error will be crucial in establishing an ideal relationship with food, especially during a flare. The IBD Centre of BC also has dieticians, webinars and IBD-friendly recipes that can support your specific needs. Keeping a food diary, routine blood checks to track any deficiencies and monitoring symptoms are additional things that students with IBD and similar illnesses can try.
Staying fit
UBC is a hub for plenty of fun physical activities. Staying active is great for your brain, with studies revealing that it can be crucial for helping mental health. If you are looking to get active, start by finding something that you genuinely enjoy — that will make your fitness experience easier to keep up with and way more fun!
Near campus, Pacific Spirit Park is a favourite for runners, cyclists and dog walkers alike! If you are looking for a closer option for a stroll, Wreck Beach is another campus favourite. But be warned — as the resident nude beach, a trip down to Wreck will be anything but forgettable.
For those who prefer fitness centres, $40 per term can get students access to the ARC and BirdCoop. An $80 membership gets students unlimited access to fitness classes, including yoga, pilates and spin, making for a great workout and an easy way to meet like-minded people.
But that’s not all! UBC also offers intramurals and fitness clubs. Keep an eye out on Clubs Day for all the stellar recreational clubs to help you get moving.
Every body is different
Though wellness tips have their value, it’s import- ant to keep in mind that taking care of yourself will be unique to you. For students who struggle with mental or physical health ailments, some
of these ideas might not be feasible — and that’s okay. For some, keeping fit can look like a day of strength conditioning at the gym, while for others, a stroll at the beach or a beginner’s yoga class is more fitting.
The most important thing is to take the time to reflect on how you are faring, and try your best to make time for whatever makes you feel like your best self.