Published: 26 May 2021
The Health and Wellbeing team are back this week with a whole load of advice to help you find time to look after your mind.
Read on for their five most important tips and tricks you should be trying now.
“Mental health and wellbeing are topics which often have a negative image.
This tends to come from the false idea that you need to put in some special effort or access hidden knowledge to work on it.
The truth is that we all need to care for our mental health and wellbeing just as everyone needs to look after themselves physically.
This means there are things we can do to care for our minds in the same way.
By making small, simple changes we can bring mental wellbeing to the forefront of our lives and build looking after it into our daily routines.
The ‘five ways of wellbeing’ is a plan to do exactly that. It includes:
1) Connecting: Having close ties to other people is vital to our mental health, helping us function in the world. With that in mind, why not reach out to someone? It could be an old friend, a family member or a fellow student you haven’t even spoken with yet. Put aside five minutes to check-in and ask them how they’re really doing.
2) Staying active: Physical activity is not only great for our bodies but our minds as well. That doesn’t mean you have to run marathons to get the benefits. A brisk 10-minute walk will give you a boost of energy and release those feel-good hormones you need.
3) Being aware: Refocusing your attention away from stressful things like to-do lists and on to what is around you can increase your wellbeing levels. Try being present in whatever you’re doing and pay attention to your surroundings. What can you hear, see or smell for example? If you always go the same route to the University or work, try and different path and take in the new scenery.
4) Learning: This might sound like an obvious one considering you’re at University but expanding knowledge can have a powerful impact on how you feel. That doesn’t mean more studying. It could be as simple as reading a book or doing a puzzle.
5) Giving: A common emotion is the joy we all feel when we give a gift. It doesn’t have to cost anything. Your time and a listening ear are as valuable as whatever you could buy. Plus, there’s the knowledge that you’re making someone feel good, creating a feedback loop of joy.
Take some time out of your busy schedule to enhance your overall wellbeing.
That doesn’t mean you have to do all five of the things listed above every day. Instead, break it down into more manageable chunks.
For example, call a friend on Monday, go for a walk on Tuesday and try a puzzle on Wednesday etc.
It’s the small changes that make the biggest difference to our lives.”
As a University of Sunderland in London student, Health and Wellbeing are here for you.
If you’d like to speak with a member of the team confidentially, you can book an appointment online.
Get in touch through Compass, email them at londonhealth@sunderland.ac.uk or call on 0207 531 7343.
Find out more by following #WeAreSunLon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.