Keeping Fit on the Cheap

  As students, we feel constantly busy, but we actually spend a lot of time sitting on our backsides. For the most part, it is relatively unavoidable but just getting up and using your body is so beneficial. Not only does it help to clear your head after a night of heavy drinking, it improves focus, helps symptoms of stress and anxiety, prevents back and neck pain, improves the quality of your sleep and keeps you strong and healthy, even amidst all of the takeaways and nights out. 

There is a lot of conflicting information about the 'right way' to exercise. Everybody is an expert and everybody has an opinion. It can be confusing and expensive and, when you're drowning under assignments and down to the last little dregs of your student loan, confusing and expensive is the last thing you need. So, I've done the dirty work for you and compiled a few cheap and free resources to help you just move. Whether you're an exercise fanatic or somebody who couldn't think of anything worse, there is something for you.

PARKRUN: 

Admittedly my presence at Parkrun is a rare occurrence. Anybody who can drag themselves out of bed at 8am on a Saturday is a stronger person than I. 99% of the time my alarm clock is met with a string of expletives and a closed fist. However, when I do manage to sleep-walk my way to the start and, even more miraculously, over the finish line, I have a great time.

The concept is simple: A timed 5km run around your local park at 9am every Saturday. There is no expectation or prior experience necessary and it doesn't matter if you can run it in 20 minutes (although I will hate you for it), or walk it in 60. You'll receive a text with your finishing time which serves as a great bench-mark for self-improvement and working towards PB's. It's a lovely atmosphere with a real sense of community and no judgement, a great way to get you up and motivated on a Saturday morning and, the best part? It's totally free. Simply sign up at www.parkrun.org.uk, print off your barcode (to be scanned when you finish), lace up your trainers and go.

JOIN A UNIVERSITY SPORTS TEAM: 

Exercise doesn't have to mean pounding a treadmill or lifting weights in a gym. Joining a sports team can be a fun way to move without feeling like you're exercising, let off some steam, channel any competitive energy and make friends outside of your course. Although a membership fee is usually required, you get a lot for your money and there are options for everybody: from football and rugby, all the way through to cheerleading and taekwondo. Head to your local student union for more information.

USE A FRIEND'S GYM CODE:

The last few years have seen a rise in the budget gym. You know the type? Zero contract, open 24 hours a day and usually unmanned with access code entry. Gym Group, PureGym and EasyGym are a few examples. The memberships are cheap in themselves but, if the pennies won't stretch, I have a solution. The great thing about the lack of staff is that, whilst it's usually a bit of a mess, it's incredibly easy to piggy-back off of somebody else's access code. We all have that one friend who pays for Netflix whilst we all use the password and contribute nothing to the cause. It's exactly the same thing. It's not technically allowed but we're students and desperate times call for desperate measures, right? You didn't hear it from me.

APPS / YOUTUBE VIDEOS: 

We walk around every day with access to some amazing resources just sitting in our pockets. YouTube and the App store are full to the brim with fitness apps and videos. Some are pretty terrible but, if you sift through the rubbish, there are some really useful tools for whatever type of exercise takes your fancy. Feeling a little stiff from all of the sitting and reading? Take a 20 minute break, get YouTube up on the TV or on your phone and do a little bit of Yoga with Adriene. Head out into the garden or a local park and follow a BodyCoach video. Track your running progress with the MapMyRun or Couch to 5K apps or pick a workout of your choosing from the Nike Training Club App, which allows you to choose a workout based on muscle group, type of workout or equipment you have (or don't have) available. 

JUST WALK:

What is this misconception that exercise needs to finish with us on the floor, unable to move, wondering at what point we died and went to hell? Or that it needs to involve some fancy equipment or expensive class membership? If you are one of the many people who hates exercise, just focus on moving your body. It really doesn't have to be fancy but it is incredibly important. Just get outside and go for a brisk walk (you can even use the Borrowmydoggy app to find local dogs in your area to walk if you're an animal lover). Not only will it do wonders for your body, it'll get rid of any cabin fever you may have built up, will improve your focus and can often spark your creativity and help to improve your grade.

My main piece of advice? Don't overthink it. Yes, there are types of exercise that will be more beneficial for you if you have particular goals but something is always better than nothing and keeping active and healthy throughout your studies has endless benefits. There are so many options out there and if you find a style of exercise you enjoy, you'll be far more likely to stick at it. Just focus on movement and don't overthink the rest. 

Looking after your mental health

Having a mental illness can be extremely alienating. It is not something that usually manifests physically and getting people to understand that your pain is, in fact, as real as a physical injury can be difficult. However, unlike physical injuries, your mental health can be a more intricate and delicate matter that doesn't always heal quite so smoothly.

Mental illness can take a toll on your life, on your relationships and on your education. Due to stigmatisation and a lack of education, mental illnesses can be difficult to recognise and talk about. Often times, people tend to ignore the symptoms of their anxiety and depression and wave it off as something passing, temporary.

In part, due to the lack of conversation, mental health illnesses are on the rise; according to research by the Institute of Public Policy Research, 19% of 16-24 year olds, in England, experience a mental health issue. So while they are not talked about, mental health issues are not a rare occurrence but rather becoming an increasingly common occurrence.

This blog post will focus on the 2 mental illnesses that particularly affect young people, depression and anxiety. University is a stressful time for most students, not only the stress that comes from the workload but also the anxiety that comes with having to meet new people and adjusting to a new environment. It can be difficult coping with the loneliness that comes with moving to a new place, while trying to balance a life with your education, new friendships and the financial strain that comes with being a student. Depression is a common mental illness, and as is anxiety, and so, there are many ways to deal with it and reach out for help.

The first step to being able to get help is being able to recognise that you need help. As mentioned earlier, often people neglect their mental health and wave away their brain's cry for help by regarding their issues as temporary. While it may be common, depression is a serious illness and needs to be regarded as such. Depression is more than just feeling sad for a few days. It can cause serious harm to a person's self-worth, it can cripple a person mentally. The NHS Website provides more detailed information on depression and how to seek help.

Anxiety as a mental illness is more than feeling a little nervous about a matter, it can be overwhelming, and it tends to make matters feel a lot worse than they are. It can make simple matters feel over complicated and bring on a lot of stress and anxious feelings. The NHS website provides more information to fully understand anxiety disorders and how they can affect your life.

Here I have linked some websites that the reader may find helpful in regard to their mental health.

• For Kingston University Students:
• https://www.kingston.ac.uk/health/wellbeing-services/#counselling

• To improve ways of dealing with depression, anxiety and stress: https://www.bemindfulonline.com/

• For LGBTQ Students:  https://www.akt.org.uk  &   https://www.stonewall.org.uk/

A London Night Out That Won't Break the Bank

London can be expensive for the best of people, let alone students who live for budgeting, beans on toast and bars. Here's our way to enjoy the Capital without making too large of a dent in your student loan. 

London has been ranked the best city in the world for students. We all know this won't be based on affordability, so it must be due to its' cultural appeal; its cinemas, museums, theatres, restaurants and, of course, the only thing that really matters ... its' nightlife.

We have many hacks to having a night out with your flat mates. Why not try:

Karaoke Bars - Karaoke Box

★★★★

Pub Theatre - Upstairs at the Gatehouse

★★★★★

Cheap Bars - Ridley Road Market Bar 

(£5 for a cocktail, you can't go wrong!)

★★★★★

Free Music Bars - Pop Brixton

★★★★ 

Free Comedy Clubs - Angel Comedy Club

★★★★★

NIGHT CLUBS THAT ARE WORTH THE ENTRY FEE

The biggest heartbreak of a bad night out is remembering you had to pay to even get through the doors of the crappy club. We've all been there. The trick is to find the clubs beforehand that are worth the £3-£8 sacrifice. We've got you covered!

Tiger Tiger London - This club is iconic for its fast paced night life, 6 different themes across 6 different rooms so there truly is something for everyone. Finally, a night where no one can moan about the music because, if one room isn't your vibe, then hop over to the next. Plus, get there before midnight and it's only £5 entry. Bargain, if you ask me!

Piccadilly Institute - Viable option number 2 is another club with a 6 room attraction, all unique and creating a different experience. If you want to splurge and be a bit boujee, treat yourself to one of their many quirky cocktails for the perfect Instagram story, to make anybody who isn't you jealous. Slightly on the pricier side with £10 entry before midnight but if you don't look at your bank statement the next day, it didn't happen ... right? 

OUR TOP TIPS FOR PINCHING THOSE PENNIES

1. Pre-drink like there's no tomorrow if you don't want to spend too much on drinks but still want to be on everyone else's level. (My advice: £5 bottle of wine in your flat before you leave, works wonders!

2. Eat a carb heavy meal before you leave to avoid the expense of a post-club kebab. (My advice: go to your local and grab a frozen pizza, everyone loves pizza). Another hack is to save a few slices for when you get home, you can thank me later for this one ... 

3. Go to any club / event that isn't free before midnight. When the moon comes out the prices go up!

4. If you want to limit your spending, take cash! We've all been there when we set a budget but realise we brought our contactless card that, let's be real, doesn't even feel like spending if you don't have to put your pin in. 

5. Be smart with your drinks. If a single drink is £5 but a pitcher is £9 then make the executive decision to spend less in the long wrong and get more straight away. 

6. Finally, don't be the friend that offers to pay for the Uber home and split the cost later. This never happens ... trust me.