Are unhealthy habits holding you back? Learn how to break the cycle and thrive
Hands up if you have a bad habit or two that you can’t seem to stop? Most of us do! It might be something minor – like using your phone too much before bed so you struggle to sleep, or it could be more serious – like a dependency on cigarettes, drugs or alcohol that’s affecting your health and lifestyle.
Habits are often caused by triggers – actions, objects, feelings or memories that remind you of something. So if the trigger is something you see, do or experience regularly, then the bad habit can become an almost unconscious part of your daily life.
Some unhealthy habits can affect your overall health and wellbeing, so it’s important to honestly assess your own situation. Are you caught up in a negative cycle that might be affecting study or your personal life? This is nothing to be ashamed of – no one is immune to unhealthy habits, especially considering the intense challenges we’ve all faced over the last year.
To break negative habits, it can help to think about what the trigger is and avoid it. Find out more about how to do this and ways to create good habits.
Want some professional advice and tools to kick those bad habits?
Next Tuesday 4 May is University Mental Health Day (UMHD). This day is important to the Deakin community because mental wellbeing is something that affects us all. We want to normalise talking about mental health, and explore how we can support ourselves and each other.
As part of UMHD, and in partnership with Bupa, we’re holding a free one-hour webinar that’s all about overcoming these challenges and making positive changes that are sustainable. Presented by Cheryl Adams, a professional psychologist, this session will look at:
- how to recognise unhealthy habits
- different coping styles – how people confront and manage stressful situations
- helpful ways to better manage unhealthy cravings and triggers that can promote bad habits and addictions
- strategies to deal specifically with unhealthy habits that involve excessive drinking, drugs, gambling or internet use
- ways to build healthy coping behaviours.
When: Tuesday 4 May, 12.30–1.30pm. We’d love you to join us, so register now.
Support is always available
If you’d like some professional help to improve your lifestyle, there’s a range of services and resources – both at Deakin and in the wider community:
- For urgent support outside of business hours, contact LifeLine (13 11 14) or SuicideLine (1300 651 251) straight away. They’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Get free and confidential help from Deakin’s Counselling and Psychological Support (CAPS) team (available to students located in Australia). You’ll speak with one of our highly skilled counsellors over the phone or via Zoom. Make a telehealth appointment online.
- Visit Ask Counselling, our online blog for students struggling with study or personal issues. Anonymous questions from students are answered by our professional counsellors, or you can submit your own question.
- Explore the eWellbeing Hub in DeakinSync. This collection of informative and practical articles and apps will help you stay healthy, motivated, in control and happy while you’re studying.
- headspace, VicHealth and Beyond Blue have some great articles and resources on improving your wellbeing.