Running is more than just a form of exercise. It is a powerful tool for improving student wellbeing, relieving stress, and building confidence. This blog explores how running can support student mental health, help form healthy habits, and connect you to your local community while studying in Southampton, Winchester, or Guildford.
We all know how important it is to move our bodies every day. 30 minutes of daily exercise is widely recommended for maintaining good physical and mental health. For students juggling deadlines, lectures, and social events, running is one of the most accessible and effective ways to boost wellbeing, clear the mind, and manage stress.
Running allows you to be present in the moment, helping reduce anxiety while building confidence. It is a flexible way to take a break from screens and connect with your surroundings, especially helpful for students struggling with mental health or loneliness.
One of the biggest challenges students face with running is staying motivated. As James Clear outlines in Atomic Habits, building a habit is all about starting small and getting 1% better everyday. It can take around 66 days to form a lasting habit, and that first step counts.
Avoid comparing your pace to others. Focus on low intensity runs that keep your heart rate at a comfortable 150–160 bpm. You will improve your aerobic fitness and enjoy the run more, without burning out. And yes, running slower makes you faster over time!
While running is a great alternative to expensive student gym memberships, investing in the right pair of running shoes is essential to prevent injury and enhance enjoyment. Many fashion forward brands aren’t built for performance.
We recommend getting a GAIT analysis to understand your stride and foot movement. Head to your local independent running store where you will be able to test out different shoes and find the right match based on your running style.
A recent UK government study found that nearly all students feel lonely at some point during the academic year. Running can help.
Parkrun is a fantastic way to get started. Every Saturday at 9:00am, there’s a free 5K timed run in local parks across the UK, including:
Southampton Common Parkrun
Winchester Parkrun
Guildford Parkrun
These events are open to all levels. Walk, jog, or run at your own pace. Afterward, join fellow runners for coffee and connect with the community. Each location has a Facebook group to keep you in the loop.
Joining a university athletics society is a brilliant way to stay consistent with your fitness and meet likeminded people. Unions at the University of Southampton, Solent University, University of Winchester, and University of Surrey offer clubs with Cross-country events, track and field training, weekly group run and of course, social events!
Prefer a mix of ages or want to train off campus? Local athletics clubs in Southampton, Winchester, and Guildford welcome runners of all levels. They are great for improving your running, staying social, and expanding your network beyond university life.
Invest in good running shoes – get a GAIT analysis for a proper fit
Use a running watch – we love Garmin for tracking your pace and progress
Explore new routes – use Strava to find challenges or join local segments
Run slow to go fast – keep your heart rate low and enjoy the journey
At Unilife Student Accommodation, we support student health and wellbeing by offering:
24/7 access to our onsite gyms
Weekly community events to stay social
City Centre locations near parks and running routes
A strong community that encourages balance and wellbeing
Looking for luxury student studios in Southampton, Winchester, or Guildford? Choose Unilife for all inclusive, boutique living designed around you.
