7 January 2021

Adopt some New Year healthy habits – and win one of three DeakinACTIVE memberships!

Welcome to 2021! After the rollercoaster that was 2020, here’s hoping we can all enjoy a little more normality – and have a lot more fun – this year.

One lesson from 2020 is that – individually and as a Deakin community – we’re all stronger, more adaptable and more resilient than we realised. So as 2021 begins, we encourage you to apply a positive mentality to your personal wellbeing by implementing some New Year healthy habits.

We know that New Year’s resolutions can be really hard to keep – hands up if you’ve set an ambitious goal, made a strong start and then fallen back into old habits as the reality of daily life takes over? But never fear! Read on to discover some easy ways to prioritise your wellbeing, and to stay motivated and focused throughout the year.

To kickstart some of these healthy changes in our community, we’re also giving away a three-month DeakinACTIVE membership to three lucky students. See below for your chance to win.

Make those resolutions stick

Begin with small or modest goals that are actually achievable. Things like having a piece of fruit instead of some chocolate, or walking an extra block each day, can actually make a big difference to your long-term health and wellbeing.

Ensure your goals are specific and give them a timeframe. Instead of ‘get fit’, try ‘go for a one-hour walk once a week’ or ‘attend three new types of exercise class this trimester’.

Make yourself accountable by writing down your goals or sharing them with family or friends. Don’t worry if you slip up a few times or need a break – resolutions aren’t about achieving perfection, but incremental change.

Apply the lessons of lockdown

You’ll probably hear the term ‘COVID-Normal’ a bit this year, but what does it actually mean to you? While lockdown was really tough, for some people being forced to slow down and suspend old habits or routines has been a blessing in disguise.

Keep up any new-found passions and ask yourself what’s really important to you. Give yourself permission to say ‘no’ to activities when you’re feeling depleted, make time each day to do the things you love and don’t over‑schedule yourself.

Embrace self-care

There’s heaps of simple ways to put your wellbeing first. Start with a couple of the below tips and see how much better you feel:

Add some colour to your plate: Enjoy your favourite foods in moderation and make sure more than half your serve comprises veggies, salads and fruit in all the colours of the rainbow.
Swap the cocktail for a mocktail: If you’re entertaining this summer, provide some delicious non-alcoholic options. Check out these fun mocktail recipes from Bupa and VicHealth.
Get some decent sleep: Remember when you were a kid and you had a regular bedtime every night? Make your own bedtime routine – and switch off your devices at least an hour before bed for a more restful sleep.
Exercise regularly: Go for a walk with a friend, use a bike to get around, take the stairs when you can or try a new sport – just have a go! Who cares how you look or if you’re any good? All that matters is you’re being active while having a bit of fun.
Ditch the smokes: Make 2021 the year you quit smoking – there’s amazing help available. As soon as you stop smoking, your body begins to repair itself; over time, your risk of life-threatening health problems, including cancer, reduces dramatically.
Try a digital detox: Reckon you can live without your devices for a few hours – or even a few days? Give it a go and see how time away from a screen can rejuvenate you!

Congratulations to Jassica Vijayakumar, Jennifer Hyams, Mitchell Brockman, Vrushali Mahindrakar, Nghi Nguyen, Melissa Claydon and Behnaz Azimi Manavi – winners of the #SummerVibes Coles Myer gift cards!

Win one of three DeakinACTIVE memberships!

To help launch some healthy habits, we’re giving away a trio of three-month DeakinACTIVE memberships – one each at Burwood, Geelong and Warrnambool. If you’re a Cloud Campus student and can access one of these fitness centres, just select your closest location.

To enter, submit the below form by 5pm on Sunday 10 January. Only one entry per student is permitted. We’ll notify the winners by email on Monday 11 January.

And congratulations to Atulya Indu, Freya Bennett, Emma Cairns and Javeria Adnan – winners of the #SummerVibes DeakinACTIVE Memberships!

Terms and conditions

This competition is now closed.

The promoter of this competition is Deakin University ABN 56 721 584 203 of 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong VIC 3220.

1. Information on how to enter forms part of these Terms and Conditions. By entering, entrants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and entries must comply with these Terms and Conditions to be valid.

2. This competition is governed by the laws in force in the state of Victoria, Australia.

The competition

3. The competition is free to enter and is strictly open only to current Deakin students. Students must complete and submit an entry form in the manner set out in the Terms and Conditions.

4. Staff employed by Deakin and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter the competition.

Competition period

5. The competition period is from 10am, Monday 4 January to 5pm, Sunday 10 January.

Prizes

8. There will be a prize pool of three DeakinACTIVE vouchers: one for Burwood, one for Geelong and one for Warrnambool. Each voucher is valid for a period of three months and can be activated at any time from 12 January 2021 to 11 January 2022, when it will expire.

9. The total prize value is $420, and includes three DeakinACTIVE vouchers (Burwood and Geelong each worth $180; Warrnambool worth $60).

How to enter

10. Students must complete the entry form.

Selection and notification of winners

11. The prize recipients will be randomly drawn on Monday 11 January 2021. Winners will be contacted by email the same day.

12. The vouchers will be emailed to the prize recipients’ Deakin email addresses.

13. Prizes are not transferable and are not redeemable for cash. Deakin’s decision is final and binding – no correspondence will be entered into. Deakin accepts no responsibility for late, lost or misdirected entries or other communications. Entries will be deemed void if forged, manipulated or tampered with in any way.

14. Entrants consent to Deakin using their name, image or voice for promotional purposes. Entrants agree to make themselves available for a photograph and interview in the event that theirs is the winning entry and if requested by Deakin.

15. Prize recipients consent to their name and photograph being published on Deakin social media and other digital channels if requested to in any and all forms as determined by the Division of Student Life.

Privacy collection, use and disclosure statement

Personal information provided to Deakin University by entrants will be used to notify the winner of the competition. A photograph of the winners may be published on Deakin University’s social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, WordPress and Instagram and other digital channels such as the Deakin Life blog.

Deakin University complies with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) in its treatment of personal information. Entrants have a right to access their personal information held by the University. Requests for access to personal information are managed under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).

The University’s information privacy policy may be viewed at http://theguide.deakin.edu.au or by contacting the Privacy Officer at [email protected].