Being active is more than just joining the gym and playing sports! Find out how to live an active life here
Feeling lethargic, moody or unmotivated? Our suggestion is… EXERCISE!
It’s a great way to stay in shape whilst boosting your mental health (studies have shown that regular activity and exercise makes it 30% less likely that you will develop depression). Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is a great way of keeping you active.
Here are our top tips for staying active:
- Do something you enjoy! Revisit sports you loved when you were younger, riding a bike or frisbee in the park, can inspire and motivate you to stay active. Here at SHU we have plenty of great sports clubs and activities and over 20 different active and performance societies at Sheffield Hallam Students' Union, so you're bound to find something you love!
- Schedule in some sport - Making the time for sports and exercise is an essential when trying to stay healthy. Make it a part of your study timetable for a welcomed break between lectures and those long library sessions.
- A team effort - Working out with someone else means you can incorporate your social life into active lifestyle. Making plans to exercise with others means you are more likely to commit to an activity and they can help motivate you when you need a boost. Setting goals and targets together (like the Varsity 10k or Sheffield Half Marathon) is a great way to keep the momentum.
- It’s a journey - Why not walk to university or ride a bike, both will save you money on bus fares whilst keeping you fit.
At the Students’ Union we know that it can sometimes be hard to incorporate exercise into your routine and that joining a sports team (social or competitive) can, for many, be an unrealistic expectation due to a busy lifestyle so here are two great walking or running routes that you can do within Sheffield! The City Centre Route will take you on a lap of Sheffield city centre, past some of the city’s well known sights such as Bramall Lane stadium, the cathedral and of course Sheffield Hallam University (City Campus). The Collegiate Route on the other hand will take you on a more scenic lap of Endcliffe Park at the bottom of Ecclesall Road (near Collegiate Campus). Both offer a great, easy way to fit excercise into your day even if you have busy schedule!
General Health
Register with a GP
You should register with a GP as soon as you arrive at Hallam, it's quick and free. The Sheffield Hallam University Medical Centre is based at City Campus on level 2 of the Surrey building. You can find more information here.
Student wellbeing
Wellbeing is fundamental to you being healthy, fulfilled and content, which in turn helps you become a successful student. Student Wellbeing provides information and advice to support your wellbeing.
Once you arrive here in Sheffield it is also good to register with a dentist, you can search by postcode and call your local service to see if they can add you to their register.
Sporting and Non-sporting Injuries
The Minor Injuries Unit provides treatment for adults (over 16) for non-life threatening injuries or illnesses, things like sprains, burns and infections (just be aware that they don’t treat chest, back, hips or thigh injuries for these you would need to go to Accident and Emergency)
Prescription Charges
Help with health costs is a service provided by the NHS called the Low Income Scheme. There are specific criteria which you must meet to be able to access this support. The Student Union Advice Service can help students who would like to know more about this.