Tips for Maintaining Good Physical Wellbeing

1. Don’t aim for perfect physical wellbeing – try instead for as healthy as possible right now. Creating an idealised vision of what perfect healthy behaviour would look like and then failing to meet it can result in frustration, disappointment and loss of motivation. As a result you can be tempted to stop trying at all. Try for good wellbeing – but accept the reality of your current circumstances.
   
2. Take small achievable steps – and not too many at once. Start by making 2 or 3 small, positive changes and integrate them into your day. Once they have become habit, you can look to add more, gradually building a healthier lifestyle.
   
3. Create a daily and weekly structure that supports healthy behaviours. If you regularly exercise at the same time every day or week, then it will become a habit and much easier to maintain. 
   
4. Recruit allies to help you. Having other people who can encourage you and remind you why you wanted to be healthier can help you to stay motivated.
   
5. Plan – if you plan and prepare to eat healthily you are much more likely to do so. On the other hand, turning up to university and hoping that you will eat well, will make you more susceptible to the temptations of chocolate, cake, sugary drinks and chips.
   
6. Use snacks as a way to ensure you are eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If you have an apple or banana in your bag, then it will be easier to ensure you are getting the fruit and veg you need.
   
7. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and top it up during the day.
   
8. Use the natural rhythm of your work to prompt you to leave your desk and go outside. When you feel your energy dipping or your mind feeling tired, take a break and step out into the fresh air – notice nature around you and feel the sun on your skin.
   
9. Eat breakfast – and then eat regularly throughout the day. Eating breakfast has been shown to improve performance and wellbeing. If you find it difficult to eat breakfast, begin with something you find easy to tolerate (fruit) and gradually build up your ability to eat first thing.
   
10. Notice any improvements in how you feel as a result of the changes you are making. Do you feel stronger? Do you have more energy? Does exercise improve your mood? Is your mind clearer?
    
11. If something doesn’t work – remember not everything works for everyone. This isn’t a sign you should give up – just a sign you should try something else.