Category: Health and Wellness

Let’s talk about women’s health

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Women’s health is political. You only have to glance at the news to see debates and discussions on a whole range of issues directly related to women’s health – reproductive rights, maternity care, the gaps in research and funding.  

All of this means there’s a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding out there. That’s why it’s so important that you do your own research to look after yourself, prioritise your health and advocate for yourself. 

To mark International Women’s Day 2026 we’ve pulled together some of the most important topics that you should be thinking about. 

What can you do to look after your health? 

Register with a GP

It sounds simple, but getting registered with a GP is often something people don’t think about until they need to book an appointment. UWE has a health centre which is open to all our students, no matter which campus you study at. 

Contraception and sexual health

This is an area where there’s a huge amount of misinformation online. Protecting yourself from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections is so important, and if you have questions or concerns then it’s vital you get your information from a valid, qualified source. Firstly, speaking to your GP or surgery nurse is an obvious start, but there are reputable websites where you can find out more information. 

  • The Lowdown: A Women’s Health Review Platform – people rate their opinions on different methods and discuss their own experiences on certain types of contraception. 
  • Contraception Choices – this has a really nice visual tool which shows the likelihood of pregnancy on all methods of contraception. The information on this site is also approved by the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare so the information is trustworthy. 
Periods and hormones

The NHS recommends tracking your cycle to understand what your hormones are doing each month. Not only does this allow you to get in tune with your body, but it helps your notice any changes which could be cause for concern or further investigation. Knowledge is power! You can use apps to track your cycle (just be aware of how your data might be being used) or you can keep it simple by making notes in your phone calendar, or even an old-school paper diary. 

Routine NHS screenings and vaccinations

There is a programme of routine health screenings and vaccinations which is designed to both protect you from illnesses and also ensure early detection of disease.  

  • All children are offered the HPV vaccine at age 12/13, as it reduces the risk of you getting human papillomavirus, which can lead to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. You can check your vaccine status through your GP and arrange to catch up with any you have missed. 
  • From the age of 25 you will be invited for cervical screening, which checks the health of your cervix and helps prevent cervical cancer. 
  • Check your breasts. As with all health-related issues, knowing what is normal for your body is very important. The NHS recommends that everyone checks their breasts or chest around once a month, so you have the best possible chance of noticing any changes. 
Drugs and alcohol

UWE Bristol’s specialist drug and alcohol practitioner Becky Risley says that due to the male-dominant focus of most drugs research, the evidence on the specific risks for women remains limited, meaning harm reduction advice may not always fully apply to them. However, we do know that women typically reach high blood-alcohol concentrations than men, and appear more vulnerable to MDMA-related complications.

  • This makes it especially important that you measure your dose, stay hydrated and avoid feeling pressured into keeping up with others. 
  • In our recent survey, 26% of female students reported using drugs occasionally, compared to 18% of male students. The good news is that these students told us they were more likely to engage with harm reduction advice and seek support when they need it. 
  • Check out the UWE Drug and Alcohol webpage for information and guidance on reducing risks. 
Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Around one in five women have a mental health condition, and there are some societal issues which can put women at risk of poorer mental health than men. All of this means it is important you have awareness of your own mental health, the things you can do to look after yourself, and how you can access support when you need it. 

  • The Wisdom app is your go-to place if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or you just need a little extra support. You can chat with a qualified counsellor anytime through live chat, video call, phone or WhatsApp, and there’s also self-help tools. 
  • Every Mind Matters is an NHS campaign focusing on mental health, and includes specific advice and support for young people. 

Gentle January – How to avoid toxic health myths

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Many of you know by now that the New Year is an awful time to be making extreme changes to your health.

Although we are starting to turn away from ‘new year new me’ fad diets, detoxes and unsustainable work outs goals, it can be hard to not let the noise around a new year impact how we see ourselves and motivate ourselves for the year ahead. Let’s take a look at ways you can have a more gentle January, by listening to your body and being kinder to yourself.

First of all, let’s look at the harm it can cause…

Juice cleanses, keto, macros, fasting, detoxing, squat challenges, bootcamps…We’ve all heard the buzzwords around this time of year and hopefully you all know to steer well clear. Fad diets and gimmick workouts work by tapping into an idea that you need to ‘get back on track’ after the indulgence of Christmas and New Year and that setting unrealistic, harmful and unsustainable diet and exercise goals will help us ‘hack’ our way into health quickly.

Jumping into a rigorous exercise schedule can lead to injury or burn out, not to mention it’s really hard to maintain, which can also impact our mental health if we feel like we are ‘failing’.

Detoxes and strict diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies, illness, long term hunger, as well a problematic relationship with food and eating. The idea of ‘detoxing’ is also a myth in itself; we have our own built-in detox system that works 24/7 to keep us healthy – our liver and kidneys!

To add to this, January isn’t exactly a time of year where everyone is flush. Gym memberships, supplements and new diets can be expensive and rigorous exercise schedules can take away from revision and rest time if you have hand-ins and assessments through January. Try and avoid this overwhelm and give yourself a break!

Time to reframe the new year?

We shouldn’t shame ourselves for having a great time over the festive period. You’ve had a long year, worked hard and deserve to enjoy nice food and drink with friends and family.

January in the UK is a time of cold nights, wet weather and lack of sunlight. It’s no wonder you aren’t feeling motivated right now – we are in our hibernation era! Lack of sunlight can affect mood and energy levels, making it harder to stick to big lifestyle changes. Follow nature’s lead and consider moving any big changes to the spring months. More daylight and warmer temperatures naturally boost mood and energy levels. This makes it easier to get outside, exercise, and feel motivated. Spring is associated with growth and renewal. Plants are blooming and days feel brighter. This psychological ‘fresh start’ effect can make goals feel more achievable, as well as helping you feel like you have more energy and motivation.

What can I do instead?

ry and think of health and wellness as progress, not perfection. Find small, achievable wins and focus on how you feel, not how you look. This could mean small initial steps to be consistent and build healthy habits. Things like reducing your screen time, drinking more water, setting up a regular sleep pattern and making sure you get outside at least once a day is a great way to build up to other things as the year progresses.

Prioritise a varied diet, eat the rainbow and find meal ideas that keep you fuller for longer and make you feel good. Remember to speak to a GP if you think you may be deficient in any key vitamins, but a good place to start is Vitamin D, especially as the government recommends that most adults should be taking this in Autumn and Winter.

Try and find a way of moving your body that you can maintain and easily make a habit of. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. This could be anything from walking, dancing, riding bike, all the way through to exercise classes or sports. Find what feels good for your body, what you have time and energy for and go from there.

Screen time can also play a huge part in how you feel about yourself. Maybe it’s time to ‘curate’ your social media? Unfollow or mute accounts that promote extreme diets, “detoxes,” or unrealistic body goals. Remove celebs who are promoting products, schemes or diets. It’s all about money! You can also tailor your feeds to your interests to really make sure nothing is sneaking in that you don’t want to see. Try and be your own topic filter in real life too, carefully dip out or gently shut down conversations that you feel are tapping into problematic topics or habits. You can say: ‘I’d rather not talk about diets, can we change the subject?’ or ‘I’m not much of an exercise talker but I’m glad something is working for you’.

Get help if you need it 

If you’re struggling this time of year, you are not alone. We have a range of resources from self help, helplines, apps and health service teams. Find what works for you here. 

For further information, check out these pages on our website:

Real health is about balance, not extremes. Start the year by caring for your body and mind in sustainable ways – you’ll thank yourself later.

Make time for your soul

Author Student Communications | Posted on

We talk a lot about mental and physical health. What about spiritual health?

Today we’re turning our attention to looking after your soul.

Look in

Student life can be very busy, with studying, socialising and part-time work. It can be easy to ‘just get on with it’ and not take time to reflect on what’s happening in your life – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Make sure you take time to take stock. Don’t let life just happen to you.

Take some time out to just think. Some people find journalling helps – either with free text, lists, mind maps or drawing.

Here are some pointers to get you thinking:

  • Where am I growing at the moment?
  • What is ‘giving’ to me and what is ‘taking’ from me?
  • Are the decisions I’m making now ones I’ll be happy with in one, two- or five-years’ time?

Or you can reflect with apps – there are some good ones available.

Look out

Being linked to a community is good for the soul.

A recent survey in the UK found that people who are part of teams, hobby clubs, community or religious groups are 24% more likely to report feeling happy.

UWE has loads of student societies for a broad range of interests and if there’s not one that you like the look of, grab some like-minded students and set one up!

Volunteering is also good for the soul.

A national charity reported that 92% of volunteers agreed that volunteering had helped their mental health.

Giving out gives back to you!

Why not check out the range of volunteering opportunities we can connect you with?

Look up

Nature

Being in green spaces reduces stress, anxiety and depression by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone). Being in nature can help us to put our problems in perspective, without us even realising that’s what’s happening!

Being in nature can also foster a sense of mindfulness, grounding us in the present moment – not rushing ahead – and encouraging reflection.

Not only that – nature can inspire a sense of awe, connection and peace. We feel things we don’t feel when we’re indoors or on our phones.

Faith, religion and spirituality

Regardless of your belief, our campus Chaplaincy team are here for you; whether you have an established faith or want to explore faith and spirituality.

This is what student Bip said about Chaplaincy:

“Chaplaincy has been a great space for me to get out my thoughts ranging from religious struggle to bereavement. It’s a space that allows you to organise your thoughts, problems and whatever you may be dealing with and having someone like the Chaplain listen and provide a fresh perspective on things can go a long way. I recommend it to anyone, whether you’re religious, atheistic or anything in between.”

Research across psychology, sociology and health sciences has found that being religious or engaging in spirituality can be beneficial in a range of ways.

  • Prayer, meditation and rituals provide calm, structure, and coping mechanisms.
  • Religious faith often increases endurance and helps people cope with illness and grief.
  • Belief in a higher person or purpose can bring hope, comfort and a sense of meaning.

Look after yourself

We want you to flourish at uni – to be healthy and happy and grow during your time here.

Make sure you’re making time for yourself in every way possible and reach out if you need a little extra support!

How’s your sleep hygiene?

Author Student Communications | Posted on

No, we don’t mean how many times a month you change your bedding (but you should do this regularly) we’re talking about your sleeping habits.

As outlined by Mind, “there’s a close relationship between sleep and mental health” and “that both living with a mental health problem can affect how well you sleep and poor sleep can have a negative impact on your mental health.”

Studies have shown that problems sleeping, whether that be struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep or interrupted sleep, can increase feelings of worry, loneliness and irritability. It can also lead to lack of concentration, trouble making decisions and impact symptoms of pre-existing mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

So, it’s an important thing to look at and take seriously when trying to stay happy and healthy, especially at university. We’re not saying you need to totally cancel those late nights studying or socialising, but it’s good to be aware of what can impact your sleep and how to get into a good routine.

We’ve pulled together some top tips from Mind so if you want to know more, keep reading!

Establish a routine

Many people find going to bed and/or waking up at the same time each day helps them establish a good pattern of sleep.

Think about what you do before you go to bed

Stress and worry are one of the biggest reasons our sleep might be disturbed. Whether it’s caused by relationships, money or an impending uni deadline, we often find these worries feel bigger and louder when trying to sleep.

Breathing exercises and meditation are great ways to reduce stress, relax before bed and ready your body for sleep.

It’s also worth thinking about what you’ve consumed before you go to bed, as things like sugar, caffeine, alcohol and drugs can seriously affect your slumber. Moving your body in some way throughout the day can also help you fall asleep at night.

Think about your environment

There might be only so much you can change in your student bedroom but temperature, light and noise levels can all affect our sleep. Think ear plugs and eye masks, or maybe a low light and podcast to help you drift off.

If temperature is your problem, investigate what duvet you’re using as it could be making you too hot or cold!

Turn off those screens

There are mountains of research which shows that using screens in the evening can negatively affect your sleep.

The best way round this is to avoid using your phone before going to sleep full stop. But if you can’t try to reduce the brightness and don’t play stimulating games just before you go to bed.

Putting your phone on silent or airplane mode whilst you sleep will also reduce the likelihood of you being disturbed during the night.

What to do if you really can’t sleep?

If you’re struggling to sleep it can feel frustrating, stressful and at some times lonely – we’ve all had that moment at 3am where it feels like we’re the only person awake in the whole world, right?

But try not to force sleep. If you can do something to relax in bed like reading, listening to something soothing, or meditation, give that a go. Sometimes getting out of bed to do something calming until you feel tired can also help.

If you want more tips on how to improve your sleep take a look at this guide from Mind and if you need support with your mental health and wellbeing don’t hesitate to get in touch.

#CleanLiving – Tackling social media wellness trends

Author Student Communications | Posted on

#CleanEating. The baby food diet. Lemon-infused coffee. Tadpole water. Raw milk. 

Chances are that if you know what any of the above means then it’s because you saw someone promoting it on social media as a wellness trend. 

It’s completely normal to want to be fit and healthy. And when you see someone online talking about a new and interesting way that they are #livingtheirbestlife, it’s natural to be curious and consider trying it for yourself. Especially when they throw in some scientific-sounding words which make it seem like it’s backed up by studies and research. 

The reality is that so many of these viral wellness trends are at best, ineffective, and at worst, downright dangerous. You might be eating or drinking things which are actually bad for you, restricting your diet in an extreme way, or misdiagnosing or mistreating genuine conditions which you should really see a doctor about. 

Also, following fake health trends which are not based in scientific fact can leave you feeling anxious, stressed or upset, when you don’t get the results that you’ve been promised. 

You’ve heard of the algorithm right? Well, this is where you need carefully consider what your social media platforms are choosing to show you. The more you view certain content, and the more you search for certain topics, the more you will be fed content based on those key words.  

For example, you start looking for workout ideas and before long your feed starts filling up with diet tips and weight loss advice. 

Protecting yourself from fake news and misinformation is key to keeping yourself safe online. 

We’re not saying you need to come off social media – that would feel impossible, right – just carefully question everything that you see and read on the internet. 

What should you do?

  • Why is the person telling you this information? Do they have a motive? The job of an influencer is self-explanatory – they want to influence you to do something or buy something. Bear that in mind when you listen to what they are saying. 
  • Do your research. Don’t just rely on one source for information. If you see or hear something which sounds interesting, then go away and read up about it elsewhere before making a decision. 
  • Look for professionals. There are legitimate nutritionists, doctors, scientists and fitness experts who use social media to give you authentic advice and guidance. Look at who you are following and check their qualifications and credentials.   
  • If you’re worried your algorithm is showing you too much nonsense then reset your recommendations. You can control what content you are consuming, so be smart with this. 

In summary – question everything.  

Approach this the way you would your studies. You’re here at uni to interrogate information, check sources, and do your own research. Use these skills in your social media activity and this will help you avoid dangerous misinformation. 

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