How to look after your health on a budget
Staying active doesn’t have to mean pricey gym memberships or hours of training. Movement is free, and even small changes can improve how you think and feel.
Too much sitting can leave you feeling you sluggish, foggy, and stressed. On the other hand, regular activity boosts energy, sleep, focus, and mood. Here are some budget-friendly ways to get moving, and why it matters.
Walk more
A brisk 10-minute walk between classes or after meals helps circulation, clears your head, and resets focus.
Try swapping short rides for walking whenever possible.
Why it helps: Walking improves blood flow, reduces stress hormones, and sharpens concentration.
Take the stairs
It’s tempting to grab the lift, but stairs give you a quick cardio boost and strengthen your legs.
Making it a daily habit builds exercise into your routine.
Why it helps: Stair climbing develops stamina, strengthens muscles, and gets your heart working.
Use free online workouts
YouTube and other apps offer bodyweight workouts, yoga, and mobility routines at no cost.
Exercises such as stretching, push-ups, squats, and planks can all be done in your room.
Why it helps: Short, consistent sessions build strength, flexibility, and release endorphins that will lift your mood.
Stand and stretch regularly
Long hours of sitting will drain your energy. Standing for a few minutes once an hour or stretching during study breaks helps you feel more alert and focused.
Why it helps: Even brief breaks reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and clear the mind.
Make it social
Join sports clubs, dance groups, or outdoor societies on campus (click here for info on Sunway's clubs and societies).
Exercising with others keeps motivation high and helps prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Why it helps: Social activity supports mental well-being as well as physical health.
Keep in mind...
Sedentary routines slowly drain our energy, focus, and quality of sleep. Increasing physical activity provides your mind and body with the right conditions to thrive. Small, consistent choices shape your experience and levels of well-being with time, and help you manage stress with more ease.
