William Rose looks at Leeds’ sporting culture and why sport is such an important part of our culture in Leeds.

We live in a great city with superb spots to eat and drink, exciting music venues and so much more. We’re also lucky to live in a unique city that’s fueled by its love for sport. In a sporting sense, our passion for sport makes us like no other place in the UK. With sport being played regularly in colleges and student unions, it’s great for students in Leeds.

Despite the rapid fall of Leeds United in the last ten year, a superb example of our passion for sport is the way fans still come in their thousands to support the club home and away. The club have had record breaking away attendances in the lower divisions. When the club do go on a rare run of good form, it’s not unusual to see 30,000 fans at Elland Road. When the team is successful, the city buzzes in excitement as it thrives off the game-day adrenaline.

Another star sporting attraction in Leeds is boxer Josh Warrington. The up and coming featherweight boxer has the potential to be a world champion and sell out Elland Road stadium. Right now, he’s an impressive young prospect who holds the European title. Most young prospects would be expected to sell around 1000 tickets, however the Leeds Warrior sells close to 10,000 as he packs out the First Direct Arena. There hasn’t been a ticket-seller like him in the UK since Ricky Hatton, who famously took about 20,000 Brits over to Las Vegas to watch one of his fights. Warrington’s fight nights are fueled by the incredible atmosphere, the sounds of the Kaiser Chiefs and copious amounts of alcohol so it’s fair to say that the city gets well behind him!

It’s not just boxing or football either, here in Leeds we get behind all sorts of sports. For example, in February of this year, 12,000 people packed out the First Direct Arena to watch the darts, the rugby league side regularly attracts close to 15,000 fans and Headingley Cricket Ground is often sold out for the big matches.

It’s hard to explain why sport is such a big part of our culture here in Leeds but it brings the passionate side out of so many people in the city and it’s just another reason why Leeds is such a brilliant place to live.

So if you’re looking for something to do, get down to the arena for the boxing or the darts, get down to Elland Road for the football or to the stadiums in Headingley for the rugby and the cricket as you experience the sporting culture and start to understand what it’s like to live in Leeds.

The post Our Sporting Culture in Leeds appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Students in Leeds Learn to Love Living in the City

Leeds has always been a popular student city, with approximately 65,000 university students at its universities, and for the last 20 years or so, many have made Headingley their home.

Indeed when you ask anyone in Leeds about Headingley, 99% of them will say ‘cricket and students because students in Leeds have been at the heart of life in Headingley for such a long time. Things are changing!

Increasingly, students now want to live as close as possible to the city centre.  And, if they can’t afford or don’t want to live right in the city centre, many are opting to live closer to the campus, in Hyde Park or Woodhouse, which means these suburbs are very much on the up.

There are differing opinions as to what has caused this sea-change and academics struggle to understand the precise factors at play.  It seems the growth of campus living is a major factor which serves not only to provide homes for thousands of first years – and increasingly returning students too – but also creates a much more vibrant lifestyle hub, which students want to be close to.  Just as the tidal wave of student demand has pushed all the way out to West Park over the last 20 years, it is now receding at a similar pace.

Developers are creating homes that specifically appeal to the next generation of students and a number of purpose built developments have established enclaves, particularly around Burley Road, the University Campus and Woodhouse and this clustering draws students further towards the city.

The numbers of young professionals and families choosing to rent in Headingley has in turn increased significantly with the majority of clients at our North Leeds office now consisting of couples and professionals who are renting homes for between £500 and £850 per month.

There will always be a core of students in Leeds who want to live in Headingley and that’s great. It is a vibrant and friendly place where families, young professionals and students can live happily side by side, as they do in many other areas.

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At present, the outlook for students going on to University doesn’t look great. However, I believe that the news never reports on all the other fantastic reasons to go to university.

I’ve just graduated into a market where I was meant to struggle to get a job. But yet, on the day of my last exam I finished at 12 and walked straight to the office to sign my contract. Leeds is one of the biggest cities in the country and by far one the best. To prove how great Leeds is, I thought I would share with you all the great things you have to look forward to if you’re coming to Leeds this summer.

Hyde Park. By far one of the best spots to chill in the sun in Leeds, I don’t need to say much about this place. You just need to go.

Trinity Leeds

The shopping. If like me you came from a smaller city you will probably find the endless shops mesmerising, if you want it Leeds has it.

Varsity! No matter which uni you go to in Leeds you will hear about varsity. In my opinion in one of the best student nights out in the academic year.

We are the best student city in the country. FACT. We are the cheapest with weekly spend comes in at around £200 per week and the nightlife is second to none. You can attend every night out you want without anyone ever questioning your life choices…until third year. Mint, Quids In, Skint Thursday, Fruity Friday.. the list goes on and on. Even if we are the unluckiest age group according to recent casino insights, there are also some of the best casinos in the country in Leeds that are well worth checking out. Even if you don’t gamble.

You will meet the best people on the planet. If it’s your flat mate, someone walking down the street or someone on your course Leeds will provide you with friends for life.

The post Why it’s the perfect time for students to be coming to Leeds appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

The reality of being in a young band – Sam Carter

Last week I joined my garage rock band Bad Knaves on stage to play a lovingly crafted 40 minute set for one drunk man. He thought the set was “forgettable”, and if you’re drunk enough – I suppose it’s exactly that, but then so are your family. The truth is – it’s summer, and It’s hard to get people to nod to sounds in the dark when cigarettes and outside exist. There’s a reason it’s called “The Great Outdoors” and that’s because you have to smoke out there now. We need a few more bums in seats, so It must be time to record all these new songs and force a few people to listen to them. There’s just a few things to consider.

Creativity is something afforded to people who aren’t fleeing from something in terror or doing 17 hour shifts at the trainer factory, luckily we live in Britain, so we’re doing neither. Still, spare cash is hard to come by – If it wasn’t we wouldn’t be in a band, we’d be lying on a Land Rover chugging Moet and Chandon Dicentenary Cuvee Dry Imperial 1943 like bloated, elated babies (I have Google handy, but i’m sure it’s a “great year” for fermented grape sludge). Comfort doesn’t breed creativity, but lacking the funds to put out a decent record doesn’t help either. Congratulations – If you own a device to read this on then you’ve found the sweet spot, the Goldilocks zone. You’ve got enough free time for your creativity to flourish. You can probably afford to pay a robot to poo out some of those shiny plastic circles and then make some people to listen to them.

Do people even buy music anymore? How much is your music worth? How much is anything worth? Does a newspaper cost a pound? A newspaper probably costs a pound. Is it OK to steal this newspaper? In some ways, I understand the temptation to pirate the whole Beach Boys discography in perfect, lossless sound quality. Stealing from an established, popular artist feels like popping down the Shell garage and nicking a Peperami. Except Shell would have you fined less. “The Beach Boys: Christmas Album” is £29.83 new on Amazon but with a few clicks and some fibre-optic wizardry you can have their whole back catalogue for nothing, in half an hour, and it’s amazing. When you’re thinking about putting out your own EP or album that makes things confusing, almost as confusing as Christmas on a beach.

When you’re just starting out It’s hard to tell if the best approach is to give your music away for free, or to give it an enticing price like “£2.99″ – why not buy 200 neon, star shaped stickers while you’re at it?  A three track EP, recorded in a studio to a decent level, mixed and mastered can be anywhere from £200 to £800. Do you want to recoup some of those expenses or should you suck it up, give it away for free and hope that encourages more people to listen? Or does that devalue your work? Is it even work? Music for a little-known, unsigned band (Especially if 40 hours of your week is taken up by that inane nonsense they call “job”) can sometimes feel like a really demanding, expensive hobby. Like tennis to the death, played with expensive, free range eggs – And there’s 4 people watching. Except I wouldn’t think about tennis this much. And you don’t lament that day you smashed a tennis egg at the sports centre. We’ve been getting a lot of practice done and getting very excited, and I have my eye on a studio I’d love to record in – but like everyone else we have things like petrol and socks and beer to buy and it’s distressing.

The other approach is to do some recording yourself, which sometimes seems like the oddball antics of San Franciscan Garage Rock hipsters, but has the potential to be an endearing, empowering and genuine process. If you can’t quite pool enough cash together to get into the studio you’d like to use then keep in mind that sometimes a DIY approach lends credibility to things. Depending on whether you’re Nikki Minaj or not (And I don’t know about you, but I’m not.) it might even suit you. It might be an interesting problem solving exercise for you and your band pals, equipping you with some basic techy knowledge along the way. The music business might just be worth a try – buy some gear, get a nice space, record a bunch of tracks – and if it turns out you’re shit at it, just sell it all on Gumtree to a shivering hippy. The joys of fancy preamps and the comforting embrace of an experienced sound magician are a wonderful thing, but you may also like to consider spending a few hundred quid on an audio interface and a few microphones and doing some home recording with no constraints, monetary or otherwise. Take as long as you like! It’s personal, unique, characterful, and you’ll see your songs in a different light, with lots of room to adjust. Provided you’ve done your research, enlisted a few friends and worked hard – you’ll have translated all those little eureka moments you’ve had whilst making sure the label on the sweetcorn is facing the right way, or sat at your stupid desk into a final product. And you haven’t had to blow a shed-load of cash. Just make sure those songs are good, or you’ll feel rather silly.

I’ll give you an update once I’ve dealt with the hippy.

The post The Reality of the Music Business appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Top 10 things every new student should know

So the time has come. You’ve made your decision and you’re heading to Leeds for university in September. Adventures await you!

Before the nerves settle in, we thought we’d pre-empt any questions or worries you may have, by giving you a list of the top 10 things every student should know before they head off on their way to university.

1. Check your reading list early doors

Before you set off, your course tutor will have been in touch about the reading materials you’ll need, and have provided you with a module guide. Try and get to grips with what’s expected of you, and do any recommended reading before freshers’ week. It will help you to be prepared, and save you from studying in freshers’ week, when you should be having fun with your new friends.

2. Be you from day one

You only get one chance to make a good impression, and this is it. Smile, say hello to everyone, and most importantly, be yourself. A handy tip is when you get to your halls of residents or flat, keep the door open when you’re unpacking. This immediately welcomes others in, and starts you off on the right foot.

3. Give everyone a chance

Everyone dresses differently and behaves differently, but everyone at university has one common trait: they’re nervous, away from home and worried they won’t make friends. Get to know everyone who comes your way in the first few weeks, whether they’re someone you would’ve talked to at school or not. You could end up with a friend for life.

4. Learn to budget

Don’t let your first few months at university become a spending spree. If it’s the first time managing your own money, there’s no better time to learn how to budget. Work out what you have coming in – from your loan, parents and part time job – and what needs to come out. With what’s remaining, give yourself a weekly budget and stick to it.

5. Get a discount

Discounts go hand-in-hand with your budgeting. Be brave and ask about student discounts wherever you go. In Leeds, you can expect discounts from a range of different spots, including the Carriageworks Theatre, and 360 Champagne and Cocktails bar.

6. Take some time to get to know the area

In the first week or so, when your schedule will be a little more relaxed, take some time by yourself, or as a group, to get to know Leeds for yourself. Grab a student bus pass and head out exploring. There’s lots to see, including Roundhay Park, Kirkstall Abbey and Victoria Quarter. It’ll also help you find the best and most affordable pubs and restaurants.

7. Get a good handle on time management

With irregular studying hours, late nights and new people to have fun with, your routine can easily slip and you can end up having no balance to your day. Try and enforce a routine from the start, so you’re at lectures and studying during the day, and have the evenings to socialise, volunteer or get involved in societies.

8. Get work experience in your first year

It’s never too early to get work experience, and the sooner you add to your CV, the better. Your first year is a great time to get started on this, as it’s much less pressurised than your second and third years. Research companies and jobs you’re interested in, and send them a speculative email explaining your situation. Give every opportunity a try and see what you like or have a talent for.

9. Get involved in societies

University societies give you access to a group of people who have the same interests as you. There are weird and wonderful ones available, including film societies, baking, sports and wine! If there’s not a society you like the look of, you could always start your own.

10. Look after your health

When you’re away from home for the first time, you can end up not looking after yourself, in favour of late nights, partying and takeaways. Drink water, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and try and get a good night’s sleep once in a while, and you should be able to keep the dreaded fresher’s flu (which is a real thing) at bay.

The post 10 Things Every Student Must Know appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Leeds is undoubtedly one of the best cities for students and young professionals in the UK and with such a huge youth population it’s not hard to find someone if you are in need of finding a new flatmate.

Most first year students coming to Leeds will go straight into halls and take up house shares with friends during their second and third years studying. For those unfortunate enough to have a housemate drop out it can be a worrying experience. Although most estate agents will let you source a replacement you don’t want to get stuck having to cover the rent of the missing member.

You never truly know what someone is like to live with until you actually take the plunge, but more often than not it’s a wise choice to interview or talk to anyone interested in moving in to make sure you are all going to get on. Here’s a few things to keep in mind if you find yourself on the lookout for a new housemate.

Are they a student? Or do they work full time?

This is normally the first question you should ask and one of the most important things to highlight in your ad. If you and the rest of your housemates are students then would you be comfortable with living with someone who works full time? Likewise, if you work full time would you want to live with students?

Do you pay your bills on time?

If you house share in popular student areas like Hyde Park, Headingley or Horsforth that are dominated by the larger local agents like Parklane Properties and City Red that offer all-inclusive rent this is not so much of a problem. However, if you pay your bills separately you have to make sure that your new housemate is going to keep up with their share of the bills.

To protect your own interests and to avoid any arguments, select a date during the month that all bills must be paid by and ask them to set up a direct debit or standing order.

Do you smoke?

If you or your current flat mates don’t smoke and you don’t want anyone to do so make it very clear from the beginning. Agree this in advance with any other flatmates and make it plain in your ad too.

Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?

If you’re single, it would be understandable if you don’t wish to share your living space with a couple, no one likes being the third-wheel!

This question is also really important if you live in a small property. Having that extra person around for even a few days a week can take up a lot of valuable space in your home and can add a lot to your monthly energy bill.

How’s their social life?

You should get this out in the open as soon as you meet a prospective housemate. If you’re working full time or are on a particularly intensive course a housemate with a particularly active social life might not be the person for you.

If you think the person’s social life will clash with you, choose someone else to move in, it will save you both a lot of frustration and arguments

Do you mind cleaning?

If you have a cleaning rota in place, you should agree on who cleans what and when. If they’re not very keen on the idea of cleaning or can’t do it, ask them if they would consider paying for a cleaner instead.

George Webb

The post Top tips for finding the right flatmates in Leeds appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

In the Creatives on Tour series, leading men’s fashion brand Farah embarked on its exploration of some of the most creative people and businesses in Leeds. As a champion of alternative culture, it is important to Farah that individuality is celebrated in a world where it’s sometimes difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Creativity can manifest itself in hundreds of ways. And in Leeds, it truly does. Hiding in the arcades that stray from the beaten track or residing in the structures of its Victorian past, Leeds is awash with creative minds, daring attitudes and busy hands.

In a bid to uncover those behind the city’s creative spirit, Farah headed up north to meet some of the individuals currently driving Leeds’ innovative surge towards a new and exciting future. From bohemian barbers to contemporary coffee shop owners, here are some of the city’s most creative people giving their view on one of our favourite towns.

Ben Holmes, Village Bookstore

What is it?

Established in 2012, this store specialises in independently published magazines, journals and books.

What do you do?

“We sell books. Or at least try to.”

Why Leeds?

“After university, there were a lot of people here giving things a go. There was more of an openness to trying new things. The traditional way can be to graduate and then move down to London to get a job, but in Leeds you have the freedom to try something and be different.”

What is the company’s style?

It is a style founded on wood, plants and books – it is very minimalist.

Leeds in three words is:

“Open, creative, independent.”

www.villagebookstore.co.uk

Brian Dickinson, Northern Monk Brewery

What is it?

Established back in 2013, this independent brewery has come a long way in such a short space of time.

What do you do?

“I brew beer, package it, clean, clean, write recipes, give brewery tours and talks, and clean.”

Why Leeds?

“As I lived in Huddersfield, I was bang in the middle of Leeds and Manchester, but for a good few years it was always better to go to Manchester for interesting beers and bars. But in the last two or three years, the bar scene in Leeds has grown and, as a result, more and more breweries have moved here. Suddenly Leeds had much more appeal and much more going on.”

Leeds in three words is:

“Hive of activity.”

www.northernmonkbrewco.com

Alex Galantini, La Bottega Milanese

What is it?

Established in 2009, La Bottega Mialnese is an Italien espresso bar.

What do you do?

“We provide a Milanese lifestyle through continental café culture.”

Why Leeds?

“I came here for a summer to learn the language and do something a little bit different. I was totally fascinated by the scene here, I loved Leeds straight away – the young vibrant life that was going around here was definitely appealing.”

What is the company’s style?

“Subtle elegance, classy and detailed”

Leeds in three words is:

“Innovative, happening, buzzing!”

www.labottegamilanese.co.uk

In the first part of its Creatives on Tour series, leading men’s fashion brand Farah embarked on its exploration of some of the most creative people and businesses in Leeds. As a champion of alternative culture, it is important to Farah that individuality is celebrated in a world where it’s sometimes difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Creativity can manifest itself in hundreds of ways. And in Leeds, it truly does. Hiding in the arcades that stray from the beaten track or residing in the structures of its Victorian past, Leeds is awash with creative minds, daring attitudes and busy hands.

In a bid to uncover those behind the city’s creative spirit, Farah headed up north to meet some of the individuals currently driving Leeds’ innovative surge towards a new and exciting future. From bohemian barbers to contemporary coffee shop owners, here are some of the city’s most creative people giving their view on one of our favourite towns.

You can watch a video on the project here.

Myke Greaves, King Koby’s Chop Shop

What is it?

A barbershop that, in their own words wants to ‘exist with purpose’.

What do you do?

“At King Koby I am a barber/stylist. I cut and style gents hair, I also trim, shape up and shave beards.”

Why Leeds?

“It’s just such an awesome city and it’s just going to grow and grow over the next few years – and I can’t wait to see what happens.”

Leeds in three words is: “It’s flipping awesome.”

www.kingkoby.com

Owen Brinley, Department M

What is it?

Established in 2012, Department M are a band.

What do you do?

“Our sound is impressionistic pop, I suppose – weird-dream hangover music. Sonically, a marriage of electronic experimentation and indie-rock.”

Why Leeds?

“There are other towns and cities in the UK but Leeds just has everything you need to be a musician. As opposed to somewhere like London, where I suppose it’s a nightmare to find affordable space to make music or art in, Leeds has that in spades.”

Leeds in three words is:

(After minutes of deliberation) “That’s too difficult”

www.facebook.com/departmentmband/

Chris Lambert, Tattooist, Snake and Tiger

What is it?

Established in 2015, the experienced tattooists pride themselves in their ability to adorn the highest-quality designs onto the skin of their loyal customers.

What do you do?

“I started tattooing 8 years ago. I initially did my apprentice at Ultimate Skin, I worked there for about 2 years. Finally I came back to Leeds to set up Snake and Tiger which is my tattoo shop in Thornton’s arcade.

Why Leeds?

My client basis at the end of the day, I think I have a really good client basis here with a lot of regulars. Business is good in Leeds for me anyhow. I like working with people from Leeds because I think that they know what they want, and they are willing to pay for quality, which is not what I have necessarily found at the other places I have worked. So the people of Leeds are good, and that’s what has brought me back.

How would you pitch the city to someone who is considering opening a business in Leeds?

There is a large turnover of students which means there are new people coming each year. That is one thing that I think has really helped Leeds’ economy. I think probably out of the major cities in the North, Leeds to me seems to be the one that is the most up and coming, compared to the other big three.

www.snakeandtiger.com/

The post Leeds Creatives on Tour appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Samuel Carter is the lead singer of a young Huddersfield, garage-rock band called Bad Knaves. In his first blog for Leeds Student Magazine, he shares his own experiences of playing in a band.

Driving your band 100 miles to play for a crowd of 6 people can be a harrowing experience. Here are some things I’ve learnt through playing in a band and my own band related incompetence.

Share:

Believe it or not, that giant lump of wood and metal isn’t a delicate little flower with special powers. It was made in a factory by soulless robots. Let people borrow your gear if it’s necessary, especially if you think it’ll improve the sound.

Drinking:

Pubs are fun, and it’s difficult to imagine going to a pub to do anything other than drink away your problems and suck Goldschlaeger through your tear ducts. If someone has been kind enough to offer you a gig then you’re there to perform, and unless you’re Mark E Smith or Shane MacGowan drink won’t do you any favours. It seems that drink makes eccentric people charismatic, but if you’re just a person called Ben who can’t stop writing songs about his ex-girlfriend and “Getting out of this place” it’s going to make you look like a poseur, or just a drunk person called Ben. Save it for afterwards, save it for pudding, it’s your reward for making some people so happy that they clapped their hands at you.

Set lists:

These are useful, especially if all your songs sound the same. They also give you a good idea if you’re overrunning. If you’re too cheap to buy some paper and a sharpie you can always just shout the names of your songs at each other until you’ve decided which song you’ll play next.

Sound check:

Everyone knows that sound engineers are so awestruck when they see your hip, new sneaks and cool haircuts that they’re just desperate to make sure you get the live sound you deserve. Nobody really knows how they do this, just make sure you follow the protocol and don’t make eye contact “More reverb please!”, “A little more in my monitor!” Nobody knows what these words actually mean, but make sure you say them or people will think you unprofessional. Just keep saying numbers into the mic over and over again until they tell you everything is fine.

Talk to people:

New people are scary unless they’re lovely, friendly people with the same interests as you. The chances are that anyone you meet whilst playing is the latter, despite some of their airs and graces. That bloke with lipstick round his eyes, wearing a bell round his neck might just turn out to be a great networking opportunity.

Break a leg:

This is your art, right? You’re a unique, edgy, wildperson and you want to leave a legacy! Gigs where exceptional things happen are memorable, So although you probably shouldn’t go all GG Allin (haven’t heard of him? Google him, you wont regret it), you should certainly make the effort to stand out. Do some walking around, tell some jokes, interact, drink a lit candle, call a bomb scare on the venue. That kind of thing. I used to wear a dead fox around my neck, but it got moths and they ate my nice cardigan.

Good luck.

You can follow the Bad Knaves on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/badknaves
You can like them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/wearebadknaves
Check out their music here: https://badknaves.bandcamp.com/

The post Samuel Carter: Experiences Of Playing in a Band appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Today, it seems that so many of us experience crippling anxiety. For about 2 years I suffered with it on a daily basis, so I wanted to share 5 really useful tips that have helped me get to a point where I can live my life without the fear of anxiety holding me back.

Allow yourself to feel anxious:

Some people might ask, “If you have a roof over your head, food on the table, friends and family that love you, why do you feel so anxious?” This question basically implies that we shouldn’t feel the way we do, because we are actually quite fortunate compared to a lot of people. But this is the misconception that encourages people to deny their own anxious feelings. One of the reasons why anxiety and depression are on the rise is because we’re always trying to fight our negative experiences rather than learn from them. And we all know that when we start a fight, someone always ends up getting hurt. We need to embrace and accept our anxiety before we can even begin to deal with it. Give it permission to be there, you have every right to feel the way you do!

Make your life easier by gathering tools:

Whatever task we do we need tools to do it, so undertaking the task of gaining better mental health means collecting tools also. There is nothing shameful in needing someone to hold your hand whilst you go to the shop. There is nothing wrong with needing your iPod on the bus to relax you, or a book to distract you. There is nothing weird about choosing a bubble bath over a night out because you simply can’t handle the pressure of loud music and rowdy boozers. Stop being so hard on yourself and use these tools to your advantage!

Look for relief:

“What would bring me the most relief right now?” This is a question to ask yourself every time you feel anxiety arising. That feeling of relieving satisfaction you get when realising you have an extra hour in bed: this is the feeling that needs to be sought after. Overcoming anxiety really boils down to being gentler on ourselves and loving ourselves more, so just do what makes you happy!

Approach everyone as your brother and sister:

This tip might sound quite strange, but for people with social anxiety especially, it is so effective. when I used to get anxious with lots of people around I would just imagine that they were all my brothers and sisters, and we were just hanging out together, like you would with your family, sat around the TV watching your favourite episode of friends. It really did help. And actually, it’s not that hard to imagine because we are all like brothers and sisters in a way – we all share the same planet! The more you practice this technique, the less scary people and situations become.

Give yourself a foot massage:

At some point during the day, preferably when you first wake up, give your feet a massage, or if possible get a professional massage. Anxiety usually occurs when we get caught up in our thoughts, so physical touch really helps to ground us in the present moment. Not only does it care for your mind and soul, it cares for your body too.

The post Tops Tips to Relieve Anxiety appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Great Britain Athlete and British Record Holder John Lane is back again this month to give you fitness tips to help you get the best out of your health and fitness.

Enjoy this month’s tips!

Pack Your Own Lunch

Packing your lunch each day is a great way of keeping a handle on what you eat. Studies have shown that people who pack their lunch are more likely to lose weight quicker than those who don’t. As well as being a healthier option, this will also be lighter on your back pocket!

Core Strength

The weaker your core muscles are, the more likely you are to pick up an injury. Whether it’s managing a stiff back, neck pain or a torn muscle, your core is also great for your posture and overall fitness levels. Exercises such as yoga and pilates are a great and effective way of achieving a stronger core.

Yoga

Yoga is a great way of getting your heart rate up and burning calories. As well as losing weight, yoga is great for flexibility, developing muscle strength, increasing your blood flow and it also helps promote proper posture. Try and do a yoga session once a week to help your body relax and de-stress.

Stick to Water

Nearly every bottled drink you buy these days have a lot of sugar in it. Soft drinks and energy drinks are the worst culprit and can have up to 50g of sugar per bottle. With cutting down on sugar being one of the best ways to lose weight, sticking to water is a great and easy way of staying ahead of the game!

Super Foods

Super foods have gained massive popularity recently due to promising greater nutritional value. Foods such as berries, green tea, ginger, broccoli and oily fish are set to have greater nutritional benefits than other foods. These foods have also been found to help aid digestion, lower cholesterol, regulate metabolism and help fight heart disease.

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