With the days still short and a bit dank and grey, it\u2019s easy to feel a bit gloomy in January, but there are things we can do shift our mindset. Psychology PhD student Kelly Dawson shares her advice for boosting your mental health this winter, together with information and opportunities from Student Support and Wellbeing staff at Kent<\/p>\n
Find five things you are grateful for today<\/strong><\/p>\n Find five things that you are grateful for. These don\u2019t have to be big mind-blowing things (though they can be of course). It could be the feel of your slippers as you slide your feet into them in the morning or the warmth of your coffee cup in your hand or the feel of your dog\u2019s cold wet nose as they nudge you for a stroke. These were three things that happened to me within 15 minutes of being awake this morning. When you really focus on gratitude, that blue feeling just slips away.<\/p>\n Share the good (and not so good) bits of your week at the Wellbeing Caf\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n The Wellbeing Caf\u00e9 takes place every week (starts for this term on Monday 23 January 2023) and is a space to connect with other students in a relaxed environment with a focus on promoting your wellbeing and mental health through activity. Last term\u2019s activities included a Positive Planner journaling session, a great tool for remembering to notice what you are grateful for. Find out more about the Wellbeing Caf\u00e9 on the\u00a0Student Support and Wellbeing Events calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n Be present in this moment<\/strong><\/p>\n We spend lots of our time reminiscing about the past or planning the future. But spending some time being fully immersed in the moment is really beneficial. Look around you, what can you see and hear? Are there any particular smells? What are your hands touching, how does that feel? Is it rough or smooth? Your senses are a great way to bring yourself right to the present moment. Spend a few minutes five times throughout the day focussing on your sensory experience.<\/p>\n Free mindfulness classes with a qualified instructor<\/strong><\/p>\n Come along to the popular mindfulness meditation sessions \u2013 a great way to improve your wellbeing alongside other Kent students. They take place on Wednesdays at 13:00 online and 17:00 in-person.\u00a0Find out more about Mindfulness at Kent.<\/a><\/p>\n Get out in nature, exercise, or take a cold shower<\/strong><\/p>\n Get up early and go for a walk (or a run\/cycle if that\u2019s your thing), preferably in nature.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t enjoy nature, that\u2019s no problem, don\u2019t do something you don\u2019t like. Try any form of exercise, from swimming to dancing in your kitchen! If exercise isn\u2019t for you, then try turning your morning shower as cold as you can comfortably stand for a few seconds. Anything that gets your blood pumping will help your body release endorphins!<\/p>\n Come along to the community garden in Park Wood<\/strong><\/p>\n Get outdoors in the allotment! The Kent Community Oasis Garden (KentCOG) is a project run by a collection of students, staff and community members working to create a sustainability hub centred around growing food. Go along to one of their open gardening sessions on Wednesday and Friday (10:00-14:00).\u00a0Find out more about KentCOG.<\/a><\/p>\n Set aside some of your day to do something that makes you feel good<\/strong><\/p>\n Self-care is super important all of the time, but on cold dark days definitely do something for yourself that makes you feel good. Don\u2019t just think about it, actually set aside part of your day in your calendar to make this happen \u2013 it can be reading a good book, taking a nap or meeting a friend.<\/p>\n Find something relaxing to read in Templeman Library<\/strong><\/p>\n The new \u2018Love to Read\u2019 area in the Templeman Library Cafe has a collection of novels, best-selling books, self-help titles and e-books. You can borrow them as usual with your ID card, or sit in the cosy area and take a break from studying.\u00a0Find out more about the Love to Read collection.<\/a><\/p>\n Need wellbeing support?<\/strong><\/p>\n Have a look at the\u00a0Student Support and Wellbeing webpages<\/a>\u00a0to find out about support services including a free, confidential counselling service and 24\/7 online and phone support partners.<\/p>\n Finally, it is ok not to be ok.\u00a0 If you broke a toe, you would visit minor injuries. \u00a0If you had a toothache, you would see your dentist. If you are feeling overwhelming feelings, reach out to your GP or the NHS mental health services on https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/mental-health-services\/. <\/a>A final note, you will never speak to or spend as much time with anyone as you do with yourself.\u00a0Be gentle and kind.<\/p>\n Written by\u00a0Kelly Dawson (PhD researcher in Cognitive Neuropsychology), and Joshua Stevens (Student Services)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mindfulness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Endorphins<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Self-care<\/strong><\/h2>\n
It’s ok to not be ok<\/b><\/h2>\n