Doing happiness at Brunel. www.brunelstudents.com
“
Scientists are discovering that being happy has
got little to do with what you have but a lot to do with what you DO!
Whether it’s your first or third year, being at
Brunel can be a stressful experience. Alongside the pressures of your course, being somewhere new,
unfamiliar and without the comforts of home can
all make it difficult to know what to do or where to turn if you feel unhappy and lonely.
Therefore, it’s of paramount importance that you
take the time out of your day to look after yourself while at university.
”
1. FIND WAYS TO QUIETEN YOUR MIND
1. Find ways to quiet your mind. Exams and deadlines, can cause an enormous amount of pressure making you feel as though your mind never switches off. It can regularly affect your mood and sleep. If you feeling this way, try to relax by meditating or mindfulness.
Ways to be mindful could be doing something as simple as switching your phone off before going to bed and setting it to the other side of the room can work wonders for relaxing your mind and improving your sleep.
2. CREATE A GOOD SUPPORT NETWORK
Having someone who cares about you to talk to and support you when you’re not feeling your best is really important (as is being that person to someone else). However, if you’re new to university life, the chances are that you won’t necessarily know anyone yet. But don’t worry, just look around: everyone else is also in that position. So what can you do? Try to go out of your way to talk to people, contact the Union about joining a society, become a mentor for a younger student, join clubs or the gym and visit new places. However, don’t forget to keep in touch with your old friends too. It’s possible that they’re also going through a similar experience which, by talking/bonding over it together, can come as a relief to both of you.
3. BE GOOD TO YOUR BODY
Taking care of your own body is one of the most important things to do when it comes to looking after your mental health and well-being. Cut down on stimulants such as coffee, alcohol and energy drinks as these substances in large quantities can increase levels of anxiety or cause other health problems. Additionally, try to fit in some exercise such as Active@Brunel where you can. Even as little as half an hour per day can have such a positive impact, as exercising releases ‘feel-good’ hormones that can aid in lifting low moods. Exercising is an excellent way of coping with stress – especially if you make it enjoyable!
4. SE T YOURSELF ROUTINE AND STRUC TURE
Introducing routine and structure to your days is a good way to make you feel more efficient and productive, bringing with it a sense of achievement. Set yourself small, achievable goals throughout the day to break up what appears to be a monumental task.
Diaries are good for keeping track of mood swings, emotions and anxieties that you may experiencing whilst at university. A short-entry diary is just a notebook that you can write a sentence or two about how you feel on a daily basis. Having one of these can help you vent about, document and identify any issues – either environmentally or health-wise – that you may be experiencing. Like all other diaries, if you plan on writing things that you may not necessarily be comfortable with others reading, be sure to keep it in a safe place.
5. PACK AN EMERGENCY ANXIETY TOOL KIT Having comforting things at hand during stressful times can be a huge reassurance. An emergency anxiety kit is basically this: a couple of items that you pack with you – either loose in your bag or in a small case – that make you feel calmer.
The kinds of things that you might want to pack in your emergency kit can include things such as headphones to block out noise, post-it notes with reassurances written on them, a Tangle to keep your hands occupied, chewing gum, plain paper to scribble or doodle thoughts on, and whatever else it is that you personally know to be comforting.
6. PLAN IMPORTANT DATES IN ADVANCE
Deadlines, exams, presentations, and even graduations are all really important dates that tend to be a little stressful. Planning important dates in advance (such as making and sticking to a realistic study-plan) ensures that you have an order of events mapped out in your mind that you can resort to when you’re feeling a little anxious. Plans also ensure that you have enough time to dedicate to regular breaks and very important self-care.
However, although plans are great things to have, don’t worry if you can’t always stick to them. The ebb and flow of daily life can sometimes throw unpredictable events your way, simply causing you to be elsewhere and do things slightly differently to what we originally planned. This is normal and you will catch up.
7. DON’ T TAKE ON MORE THAN YOU CAN MANAGE It’s important that you don’t put unrealistic demands on yourself. Identify what you want or need to accomplish only and focus on these. It’s always a good idea to get involved in other activities and to avoid overload, identify a few things that you are interested in doing, check your availability and then make sure you still have time to wind down and do something devoid of responsibility before you sign up to anything new.
Conversely, if you are asked to do something that you feel you won’t be able to keep up with, try not to agree to do it. A lot of the time, saying ‘no’ to something is difficult – especially if you don’t want to disappoint someone. However, your ability to cope (i.e. your health) is far more important than any amount of disappointment that saying ‘no’ may cause. Chances are, if you explain yourself well, the other person will understand.
8. ASK FOR HELP
It is sometimes hard to admit to yourself and others that you need help – but it can be the difference between being happy or miserable, being stressed or not, and it can have long term effects.
Asking for help is a sign of strength. The Student Centre offers a range of services to support your wellbeing. There are people who want to help you – as it also increases their happiness and makes them feel good! They want you to feel and do your best. You deserve to be happy.
9. BE A SUPPORT FOR OTHERS
Helping others is good for them and can also make you healthier and happier too. Here are a few simple things that you can do if someone you know is feeling down. • • • • •
Just try to be there for others in their time of need. Listen to them and gently encourage them to get support or help. Offer to talk to people or get in contact with helplines for them.
Bring them things that they love (like pizza or a good book) if they’re having a down day. Don’t be judgmental. Anyone can feel low at any time. Just keep an open mind and aim to understand rather than judge situations.
10. VALUE YOURSELF AND KNOW YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Treat yourself with kindness and respect. Avoid comparing yourself to others as there’s no magic, one-size-fits-all solution for building a happy, healthy, and productive life. Start to believe in yourself, realise your importance and put your well-being first.
You are not alone, you matter more than any words can justify and there are others out there going through something similar. No matter how low you feel, with perseverance – things do get better. You won’t always feel this way. If you want to talk to someone, below is a list of organisations that you can get in touch with: Brunel Student Support
and Welfare: 01895 267045 Brunel Medical Centre: 01895 266904 Brunel Meeting House: 01895 266459 Samaritans: samaritans.org or call 116 123
Nightline: nightline.org.uk Student Minds: studentminds.org.uk Students Against Depression:
studentsagainstdepression.org Inspirited Minds: inspiritedminds.org.uk Mind: mind.org.uk Papyrus: papyrus-uk.org
www.brunelstudents.com