MENTAL HEALTH BLUE week
It’s that time of the year again. 2018 is coming to a close and exams are approaching. We have all felt the stress of exam time, from school to university. There can often be a lot of content to revise, and time can be limited. As a result, we may become stressed. However, it is important for our health to manage this stress and prevent it becoming detrimental. Felicity Miller (HSM Student Health and Wellbeing Manager) kindly provides us with 10 tips on self care, to help us cope with academic stress: 1. KNOW YOUR WHY: know your purpose as it is your compass, it gives your life it’s meaning and direction. 2. EAT: eat healthy meals and snacks, including a healthy breakfast, and keep an eye on sugar and junk food intake. 3. DRINK: drink lots of water and not so much caffeine, energy drinks or alcohol. 4. MOVE: do some physical activity most days- walk, swim or stretch. 5. SLEEP: ensure you get enough sleep and set up a regular sleep pattern. 6. Be KIND and UNHOOK: unhook from your self-talk that makes you doubt your ability, second-guess yourself or undermine your purpose. 7. KEEP IT REAL and EMBRACE MISTAKES: have a realistic study plan (don’t try and do too much at once) and ‘have a go’ even if you may not get it right 8. CONNECT: connect with the people and things that are important to you. 9. HAVE A GP: keep an eye on your general health and have a GP you’re comfortable with. 10. FOCUS ON NOW, RIGHT NOW: slow down, be mindful, if you’re in the moment you’re less likely to be hooked by thoughts or behaviours.
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