Looking after your mental health and wellbeing

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Evidence suggests there are 5 steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing

Stay connected 

Feeling close and valued by others has a positive impact on our wellbeing.

Think about ways to stay connected 

  • Studying: Do you have anyone you can study with virtually to help with motivation? Could you set up a regular progress review with friends and help each other set goals and praise achievements.   

 Join Libraries' online Study With Us sessions for two hours of structured study time every Monday and Wednesday.  

  • Socially: Do you have up to date contact details of people you know?  What is the best way to contact them? Consider planning times to video chat so you have something to look forward to. 

 

Keep active  

Being physically active not only improves our physical health it can improve our mood. Find a physical activity that suits your level of mobility and fitness 

  • What can you do to stay active in your accommodation? Is there any physical activity you can safely do, such as yoga, dancing, play interactive games, download a free workout session, clean your space?

  • You could try these sitting exercises whilst you study

 

 
 

Take notice

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.    

  •  Gardening, feeding the birds, walk the dog or volunteer to walk a neighbour’s  

  • Practice mindfulness 

  • Enjoy activity which brings you into the moment             

 

Give 

Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a 6 week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing. 

Try:  

  • Reach out to others and support people around you 

  • Show appreciation for others 

  • Checking up safely on neighbours  

 

Keep learning 

Being curious and seeking out new experiences positively stimulates the brain. 

 

  • Cooking something new 

  • Learning a new language 

  • Learn a new craft 

  • Join an online book club or an informal one with friends and family                    
 
 
Student Minds have created a resource called Student Space which makes it easier to find the support you need during coronavirus.
 

Other ways you can look after your wellbeing

Relaxing

Relaxation can help when you’re feeling stressed or worried. Have a look at our tips to see how it can fit into your daily life. Don’t worry if some ideas don’t work for you – just enjoy the ones that do.     

Healthy eating   

Try to eat at least one proper meal a day, which includes protein and vegetables.  Find out  more information here about how food can have a positive impact on mood and download our free recipe book .    

Routine and schedules    

Are you a person who likes routine? Are you living in a busy household, and find that everybody is trying to do the same thing at the same time for instance using the bathroom, resulting in disagreements and arguments?     

Consider creating a routine or timetable for yourself as well as a joint a household schedule for everyone. You may find this timetable useful.  

Sleep   

It is recommended that we get around 6-8 hours per night. Even if you cannot sleep, give your body a chance to rest. Try to avoid going on your mobile phone or electronic screen at least an hour before bedtime as it can interfere with sleep. More information here and here

The impact of the media   

Try to manage how you follow the pandemic in the media. It’s important to keep updated with ther latest information, however, If you find that the news is impacting negatively on your mental health, it’s might be worth limiting your news intake and making sure you are reading positive news.

 

  Hints and tips when studying at home

Have a look at the links below for information about how to support your mental health while working or studying from home. 

Tips for studying online and at home for university students 

Supporting your mental health while working from home from MHFA 

BBC’s Five ways to work well from home 

Support at the University

GP (doctor) 

University of Nottingham Health Service 

The GP will decide what kind of support may be required and can make a referral onto a specialist service. 

You can still contact your Nottingham GP if you have moved home however You may need to see a local Doctor if you require specialist mental health support but if you are unsure please contact your current GP.

Mental Health Advisory Service

The Mental Health Advisory Service is a specialist, referral only service for students experiencing significant mental health difficulties.

Counselling Service  

The University Counselling Service is now operating remotely. You can self –refer to the service on-line or you can contact a duty counsellor.

 

 

Support and Wellbeing Officers

The Support and Wellbeing Officers are on hand to help support you alongside your personal tutor. 

Chaplaincy  

Chaplains provide pastoral support to students and staff of any faith.

First Steps 

First Steps continues to provide Eating Disorders support in Student Service  

First Steps guide to coping with Covid

 

Students' Union

Information, support and guidance from your Students' Union.

Nightline

Nottingham Nightline is a confidential listening and information service, run by students, for students at the Uiiversity of Nottingham. 

Togetherall

Togetherall provides a safe space for members to engage anonymously with a wider network of people across the world who understand what it's like to struggle with mental health.

 

 

Additional Mental Health support

Nottinghamshire Mental Health helpline  is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support those in crisis.

Relate Nottinghamshire a  free 30 minute counselling session to anyone who has been affected by Covid19 and who lives in Nottinghamshire. To make contact and book a session please email support@relate-nottingham.org.uk

NHS Mental Health helplines

HealthyU - Mental Health and wellbeing

Mind: Student mental health hub

University of Nottingham online support groups

Staying in Nottingham Support Group  - social and support space for students still in Nottingham

UoN Neighbours Facebook Group – SU organised support group

UoN Home from Home Facebook Group – support group for international students still in Nottingham

UoN Instagram (place for students to share lockdown experiences with each other)

UoN TikTok - search 'uniofnottingham' on TikTok (place for students to share lockdown experiences with each other)

The University of Nottingham

University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 5151
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3666
email: studentcommsoffice@nottingham.ac.uk