Whilst it’s well-known that regular exercise has multiple health benefits – boosting your immune system just to name one – it’s easy to forget that it also combats stress. In fact, exercise can reduce stress levels permanently – welcome news as finals period rolls in.
Taking a break from hours-long cram sessions also gives your brain the time to process so what you learned penetrates deeper and stays longer. Getting 10, 20 or 30 minutes in between a journal article and a textbook passage is easy if you think about campus as an exercise grounds.
Alongside de-stressing and giving your brain a break, being active is a great way to burn off all those motivational study treats, so get moving.
Walking and Running
Nipping out for a walk or a run is one of the easiest stress busters. Simply walking from Highfield Campus to Avenue and back, is almost a 2 mile journey, while taking a brisk spin around the perimeter of Highfield Campus racks up 1.2 miles.
Both are a great way to sneak in some spur-of-the-moment exercise, plus the change of scenery and fresh air is another mental trick to keep you sharp so you get the most of all that studying.
Swimming
A dip in the pool is at the very least refreshing but is also another great way to reduce stress levels. Swimming laps focuses you on your breathing and coordination making the stress melt away and its repetitive nature can be meditative.
With its extensive public swimming timetable catering to even the busiest of students, the Jubilee Sports Centre is open to members and non-members.
Exercise classes on campus
Maybe Taylor Swift isn’t an exercise guru but her advice to just shake it off has some validity. Stress builds up causing you to hunch over, tensing your muscles and triggering aches and pains.
With activities ranging from indoor cycling to Zumba and lots in between, Sport and Well-being can help you fight off the physical effects of stress. Visit their webpage for more information on the whole host of exercise classes to get involved in on a daily basis.
In University Halls, contact Residences Support teams for help and advice throughout the day and night. The student run Nightline (8pm to 8am) is also available. SUSU is running various Stress Less events over the exam period and the Student Union Advice Centre (SUAC) can provide help, advice and support through a range of services that are free, independent and completely confidential.
The Enabling Services drop-ins, which will continue to run throughout the exam period for general questions will be running from 1-3pm on weekdays in the Student Services building (B37).
Student lifestyle posts which reflect the interests of our students are written by Student Communications Assistants and do not reflect the research, guidance or opinions of the University of the Southampton. If you have feedback or want to suggest ideas for this section, please submit an email.