What Can Students Do to Have a Positive New Year & 2022?

There are many changes we can make which can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing, and the New Year is a great opportunity to implement one of these into your schedule.

Getting Out and Staying Active

Are COVID and the possibility of further restrictions making it challenging to plan a positive start to your year? We all know getting-out when it’s possible to socialize can be a lot of fun, and a very healthy way to spend your time, many graduates say their social life was the high point of their university experience. If you are very concerned about Omicron, doing your activities outside with friends can minimize the risk of contracting air born viruses. Keeping to your social engagements where possible, even if the venue needs to change to being outdoors will help to fend of the blues of looming restrictions.

Fitness

Having a fitness goal such as running 5k, 10k or even a Marathon can make a big difference to your fitness motivation levels. UoB sport and fitness enter a team in the Birmingham 10k most years. Could you be part of their team? Did you enjoy playing a sport at school, but haven’t thought about it since leaving. This year could be the year to take it up again. There are many sports teams and societies at UoB that can help you reconnect with old past times. Or maybe you could get an all-round health boosts just from staying slightly more active, even lighter exercises, such as walking can provide fitness and mental health gains

Body Mind and Food

Sometimes just little adjustments to what you eat and drink, here and there, can really make a positive difference. When it comes to your mental wellbeing, being honest about what you actually need and what you can do without stressing yourself can be very helpful. Trying out a few new things and leaving those that aren’t helping you behind, is worth considering. For example, there is now a lot of awareness about the negative side effects of social media, so if you are feeling you need a mental boost or are just frustrated about the amount of time you are spending on Instagram or YouTube, try one week without them and see if it makes any difference. Maybe you have another interest in your life that has gone beyond being enjoyable and has started to impact other areas of your life in a negative way, again a short abstinence from this can break an obsessive habit, while appearing more realistic than quitting altogether. 

Working

Combining work and study can be problematic, if not clearly segmented. Working a 12 hour shift in a night club the day before an assignment is due, would be a very bad idea, unless you have already handed the assignment in. Staying organised and sticking to work plans where you struggled last year, will give you the best chance of keeping on top of things this year. 

Volunteering

If you’ve ever felt bored, why not help-out in the community or volunteer somewhere? Doing this could actually benefit someone else who needs the help. You could learn new skills, and depending on where you volunteer, you could also enhance your future career prospects. There are many organisations to pick from, from volunteer park keeping with the Green Gym to working with the homeless in a soup kitchen or as a street pastor.

Going Out

There are far fewer new years events planned this year. With many events either now being booked up or choosing to cancel, such as the London Trafalgar Square event, it may seem options are limited. However at the time of writing there are still many clubs in Digbeth and on Broad Street that will be opening their doors, while there is still space available.

 

Beyond New Year’s Eve many people are expecting the government may instigate more restrictions. It’s very unlikely that full lockdown will be put upon England again, however we might see restrictions on numbers indoors, some are already avoiding such situations. Many local businesses have adapted by providing more external seating lighting and heating. There also a number of parks in Birmingham where you can enjoy a walk or ride with a few friends. Cannon Hill park has a number of café’s and conveniences. If you were thinking of enjoying a hot chocolate after a walk, maybe you should start by exploring the home of Cadburys in Bournville? Rowheath Pavilion is one of Bournville largest parks and has a café, bar duck pond and play area (for your inner child). Rowheath was founded by George Cadbury for the families of the factory workers. It’s old tea room, now called the café, still sells Cadburys Hot Chocolate to this day .  

 

While some of the ideas above may hold no appeal to you or may be hindered by the uncertainty of COVID, a positive mind set and some determination to enjoy this year will give you a better chance of doing just that.

Unhousing is a Landlord and Accommodation Provider near Birmingham University since 1984

Unhousing owns all of their accommodation to let in Selly Oak, and don't use agents. By owning the properties, and maintaining them using our team of qualified tradesmen, we aim to provide a better service to our tenants. We deal directly with our tenants via our dedicated property office that is located in the student village of Selly Oak, conveniently situated close to our student properties. In 2019 Unihousing were selected as Birmingham’s Number 1 Student Agent and have continued to retain that title.

Contact Unihousing Here.