Published: 10 March 2021
The University of Sunderland in London Health and Wellbeing team are experts in helping you with all your student needs during lockdown.
This week, they’re giving us some tips and advice on looking after your mental health while you’re studying from home.
“It’s undeniable that the past 12 months have been anything but normal and if we had a pound for every time someone mentioned how difficult this been, we would be very well off indeed.
The challenges have reached us all, true. But how much we’ve been affected by the pandemic varies from person to person.
With wellbeing and mental health being at the front of many people’s minds, it’s true that focusing on our wellbeing is of importance now more than ever.
Studying during lockdown brings its own challenges and just because you’ve started university doesn’t mean life stops. There are things you can do to look after your mental wellbeing whilst studying in lockdown.
Despite sometimes having a poor reputation when it comes to mental health, the online world isn’t bad by design. It’s a tool which has many uses. How you engage with it and what impact it has on your overall wellbeing is important.
It can help us feel connected to others, more engaged with life and even productive. But it can also make us feel irritable or disconnected if we’re spending larger amounts of time on it.
Plus, it’s easy to procrastinate online, distracting us from the things that matter more. To avoid this, try out a few of our tips:
Take regular breaks
If you were in a lecture on campus, you wouldn’t be sat in the same position or the same room for the entire day. Try to give yourselves the breaks you would out of lockdown.
Switch off distractions
If you have phone notifications switched on it can lead to you being distracted when studying. If you can’t resist the urge to look at your phone, then try switching it to silent.
There are apps now like Flipd and Stay Focused that can ensure you aren’t spending too much time online.
Think about how social media and screens impact your mood
Pay attention to how you’re feeling when you use social media. Mindlessly scrolling through pages and not engaging actively has been shown to have a negative impact on our wellbeing.
Ask for help
Whether you need support with your academic work or your wellbeing, the University is here to support you throughout your life-changing journey and help you succeed.
Recognise your achievements
Consider how much you have learned over this past year both professionally and personally.
Don’t underestimate how much of a transition we’ve all been through, living our lives mostly online. So make sure you celebrate your achievements.
Look after yourself
This sounds obvious but getting enough good quality sleep, a well-balanced diet and movement are vital to how you feel and how you cope day-to-day.
Getting out in the fresh air even for a 10-minute brisk walk has been proven to have positive effects on your overall wellbeing.
The message we want you to take home from this is to look after yourself. Remember that there is no harm in asking for help.
As a University of Sunderland in London student, you have access to plenty of resources and the Health and Wellbeing Team are here for you too!”
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.