Liz’s guide to de-stressing after a study packed week at uni!

Have you ever gotten to Friday and just wanted to collapse in a heap? Do you ever feel like you need a full weekend recovery before you jump back in on Monday morning? Well, I’ve got you covered, here are some of my favourite things to do to unwind, de-stress and shake off the previous week to feel energised and productive for the next one. 

Step 1: Friday night chill

Whether you love preparing and cooking your own food or ordering your favourite takeaway on Just Eat, definitely treat yourself on a Friday night. Put on your comfort Netflix show, get under some fluffy blankets, and relax, maybe even put on a facemask or do your over-the-top 10 step skincare routine too! You could even invite your besties over and catch up on the week you’ve had, and get excited for any weekend plans. I think it’s so important to take some time for yourself and switch off from uni – I think a Friday night is the perfect time to do this!

Step 2: let’s get moving on Saturday

Of course, have your well-deserved lie in after waking up at what seems like the crack of dawn for your 9 am lectures. But after this it’s time to get up and get moving: have a filling breakfast and then go for a workout. Whether it’s a 30-minute walk around your town, a sweaty gym session or a mindful yoga class, it will release those endorphins and take your mind off any uni work you have. Spend the rest of your afternoon doing something that you enjoy that has nothing to do with studying – it’s so important to take time for yourself and allow yourself time for your hobbies and interests! Leamington Spa is a beautiful town to walk through – it has so many open spaces and public parks, and lots of shops and cafes!

Step 3: get prepped and organised for the week

For me, Sundays are all about recovering from any Saturday night antics, relaxing, tidying and getting things organised for the week ahead. I like to plan and meal prep my lunches and pop them into lunchboxes in the fridge so that I can grab them and go on my way out the door. I also like to organise and put away any notes into folders and make sure I’ve completed any necessary work for the week – do not, I repeat, DO NOT fall behind on lectures or assignments or you’ll make your week ahead harder than it needs to be. 

On a Sunday, I also like to do all of the boring adult tasks you have to do when you move out like doing the laundry, going food shopping, and cleaning the house. I save these tasks for a Sunday because once completed, I feel like I’ve somewhat got my life together and that helps me feel motivated to have a good start to the next week.

Step 4: early night before the dreaded Monday morning wake up

This one’s self-explanatory really: get yourself into bed at a reasonable time and don’t forget to set an alarm. You’ll thank yourself for a good night’s sleep in the morning! 

Thanks for reading! Let me know some of your favourite ways to de-stress. 🙂