The Wellbeing Blog: Top Tips for Managing Your Wellbeing whilst Studying from Home
Student experience 25 November 2020
Welcome back to the Wellbeing Blog!
I hope you are all keeping safe and well.
As the UK finds itself in another lockdown period, I thought it might be a good idea to share some top tips on how we can all try to manage our wellbeing whilst studying from home…
1) Limit and curate your intake of media to suit your needs
If you are finding that the constant updates on the global situation are affecting your mental health, then it may be worth trying to limit the time you spend reading news updates or using social media. All of us will be affected differently by this- some people will feel comforted that they are well informed, whereas it will be safer for others to avoid dwelling on ‘bad news’ and some distraction techniques may be more beneficial. There is no right or wrong way of dealing with this but try to reflect on how the content you consume might be affecting you.
2) Find a routine that works for you
Some of us may benefit from trying to keep our routine as ‘normal’ as possible- this could mean getting up at a regular time in the morning, getting dressed and moving to another area to work, or setting out a new daily timetable of activities. Creating a clearly defined ‘work’ time and area, if space allows, can help your brain and body to recognise when it is time to relax and unwind.
This isn’t possible for everyone due to current living situations, and it may be more helpful for you to just reflect on how you are feeling each day and plan your activities and responsibilities accordingly.
The Wellbeing Team have some fantastic resources for managing your time if this something that may be useful to you.
3) Keep in touch
Whilst many students will be spending the lockdown period with housemates or family, we recognise that there are some who will have had no option but to self-isolate alone. Try to find time in your day to communicate with your loved ones if you can- this can often be an effective way of looking after your wellbeing and is likely to have the same effect on those you are communicating with too!
4) Stay active, if you can
There are many benefits of moving your body daily and keeping active; one of which is a positive impact on mental health. Current restrictions allow for us all to get outside to enjoy daily outdoor exercise, but there are plenty of options for keeping active at home. Why not take a look at what the UoM Sport page can offer… there are plenty of opportunities to join in with online classes from the comfort and safety of your home.
5) Do something nice for others
Not only will you get a nice boost of Serotonin, but you may also help to improve the wellbeing of others too! This could be as simple as sending a nice message to a friend, or finding a socially distanced way of volunteering and connecting to your community. The University Wellbeing Team is currently focusing on ‘Give’ as part of the Six Ways to Wellbeing initiative and have lots of suggestions here.
6) Focus on the good stuff
Whether it’s a cute cat gif or a good news story from around the world, take the time to find the things that make you happy. Again, it’s important to remember that curating the content you view in both traditional and online/social media can have a significant impact on your mood.
7) Take a break from screens
I’m sure you’re fed up with hearing this over recent months, but it’s a VERY important one. Overuse of screens can be poor for our physical health, mental health and sleep hygiene, so make sure you give yourself regular breaks and try to have some screen-free time after a busy day of Zoom lectures!
8) Fresh air and sunlight
Fresh air and sunlight are two basic needs that many people find slipping down their list of priorities in the digital age… particularly during the winter! A lunchtime walk to make the most of the winter sunlight is a great idea, but even opening your curtains to let in some light, and preferably fresh air, can have a significant impact on mental health and help your body to maintain a natural sleep pattern.
9) Ask for help
As always, please reach out if you need help. We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone and the University is here to support you in any way we can. Take a look at the University Guide to Self Isolation for practical help as well as links to our Support Services.
You can also contact me directly on Jessica.hingley@manchester.ac.uk if you want any help navigating support services or just need to talk.
10) Be kind to yourself
This is an unusual time and these tips won’t suit everyone- don’t feel bad if you’re simply getting through the day and haven’t been spending your time baking banana bread or starting a new hobby. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your own wins! Take a look back at the first Lockdown Wellbeing Blogpost for more thoughts and reminders on this.
About me
My name’s Jess and I work in the Department of Chemistry as a Student Support Administrator. I have a background in pastoral support, safeguarding and education, and am passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students. You can get in touch with any questions or suggestions by emailing Jessica.hingley@manchester.ac.uk or follow on Twitter for more related content @HingleyJess
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