There have been many surveys and studies in recent years on the impact on health when graduates move from education to full-time employment, and there’s strong evidence to show that many are struggling with mental health and finding work post-graduation. The job market is getting harder across the board, and for those who have been studying to gain a foot in the door in their preferred career, not being able to do so can have a huge impact.
But it’s not just those leaving student life who can’t get a job who are struggling. It can be a shock to the system when it comes to transitioning from education to the workforce full stop in many different ways, one such aspect being the toll it can take on both physical and mental health.
And while these tips aren’t a cure-all, they can help you to stay healthy both physically and mentally when student life ends, so you’re giving yourself the best chance of success once you do gain employment.
Eat Well
Student life is synonymous with a poor diet and while that’s no true for everyone, there could be some poor habits that have crept in. and if you don’t rectify them it will impact your energy levels when you’re working all day. How you fuel your body and mind for studying and working are different, and you need to adjust to give yourself the best chance.
You need a balanced diet when you’re working full-time. This means making sure you eat regular meals that include all the food groups and as many nutrients as possible to support your body.
If you can, try batch cooking meals or preparing ingredients, so it’s easier to grab something healthier when things are busy.
You can try building main meals around protein so you’re supporting muscles and keeping yourself satiated for longer through the working day.
Try to limit your reliance on caffeine and junk food to get you through. You don’t need to eliminate it entirely, but balance it alongside a nutritious diet and proper hydration.
Keep Moving
Even if you’re in an active role, you’ll still need to work movement into your day. If you’re on your feet all day walking or managing a team in the field, then adding cardio and mobility exercise can help you improve stamina and ward off aches and pains from being in the same positions all the time. For example, if you have tight hip flexors and you stand or walk for long periods, you might feel pain from tight muscles in your glutes, ankles, and lower back. So focusing on hip mobility exercise can be beneficial for your body.
If you’re sitting down for long periods, then it’s a good idea to factor in points during the day where you move. Even light stretching can help, but walking breaks, hitting the gym before or after work, or doing yoga at home before can be beneficial.
The aim isn’t to balance an intensive gym schedule alongside work but to find pockets of time you can work in movement to help support your body, so your working environment doesn’t take its toll on you physically.
Manage Your Mental Health
That transition out of education and away from your usual routine and friends you’ve made over your time studying can be hard. Going into the workforce full-time can make it difficult to see people, and you’ll be getting used to a new way of life and schedule.
And this can quickly take its toll. Sure, education was a literal learning experience, but so too is getting used to being an employee and having a career you’re actively working in.
But the thing is, you need to acknowledge when you’re struggling and open up to someone if you can. Friends, family, or your GP can help you find the right path forward to help or treatment if you feel you’re struggling mentally.
On top of this, some employers offer assistance and have resources to help their staff with mental health concerns. If you have an employee assistance programme, for example, you might be able to request help in confidence. But getting help before things become too unmanageable is essential.
Prioritise Sleep
Like a poor diet, a lack of sleep during student life is kind of standard. You’re studying, socialising, maybe even working part-time, amongst other things, so it’s natural that sleep takes a back seat.
But when you’re starting a new career, you need to get into a good sleeping routine so your body gets the rest and relaxation it needs each and every night. A poor sleep routine can lead to brain fog, irritability, increased appetite, lethargy, and it will impact concentration and your immune system too.
This means making sure you get seven to nine hours per day. Ideally, you’ll want a consistent bedtime and wake-up time so your body gets into a routine and you feel more refreshed each morning. Create a bedroom environment that is conducive to sleep, remove anything that is likely to keep you awake and disturb you during the night, and stick to this as much as possible.
Consider Private Health Insurance
The NHS is an amazing resource for anyone, but when you’re starting out at a new job and you’re forging your way through, the last thing you want is to lose time at work from illness and injury. And if you’re stuck on an NHS waiting list, this can be detrimental to your success.
When you’re in the early days of your career, you want to avoid being sidelined or risking your position due to your poor health or an unforeseen accident or health condition putting a wrench in the works.
Private health insurance, while not essential, is an option to consider. You can explore different policies to see what is on offer, and if you need to use it for treatment or a diagnosis, you can skip the waitlist, get the best possible care, and do it with as little disruption to your career as possible following student life.
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