The problem of creating harmony in relation to the mental and physical health of students at present is quite serious. Modern medical universities are characterized by an intellectual overload in conditions of insufficient physical activity, which necessitates increasing the stress resistance of the students’ organism. The means of physical activity used to reduce stress vary for different groups of people. The relevance of the study issue is due to thefact that evening walks are suitable for people of any age, including students, and have no contraindications. The purpose of the study is to compare the indicators of the emotional state and quality of sleep of the students who take daily evening walks in the fresh air, and the indicators of their peers who prefer spending time at home. It is assumed that students who combine physical activity in the elective classes of physical education and sports with daily walks have higher rates of emotional state and sleep quality than their peers who do not use physical activities in their free time. The study involved 180 students of the Northern State Medical University. The analysis of the emotional state of students was carried out according to the method of L. A. Kurgansky and T. A. Nemchina. According to the results of the survey, students who take evening walks have higher indicators of emotional state than those who prefer spending time at home. To study sleep indicators, a questionnaire for scoring the quality of sleep by Y. I. Levin was used. According to the results of the survey, students who take evening walks have higher rates of sleep quality. The conducted studies have shown that the means of physical education can optimize the emotional state of students, reduce anxiety, tension and discomfort. The study proves the importance of systematic exercises, even of the easiest and the most accessible ones, such as evening walks in the fresh air.