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9 August 2021

Sick of the COVID rollercoaster? You’re not alone – but there’s ways to cope

How are you going at the moment? For many of us, the ups and downs of the COVID situation are starting to take an emotional toll. One minute we’re celebrating donut days and looking ahead to more normal activities; the next, we’re back in lockdown with no end in sight.

If you’re just feeling completely over it, guess what? You’re not alone and your feelings are completely valid. Moving in and out of restrictions is really hard on your wellbeing – that ‘not again’ feeling can lead to stress, anger, frustration, anxiety and even despair.

In this climate, it’s really important to pay attention to your emotions and recognise they may fluctuate. You might think you’re doing OK, and then something seemingly minor or insignificant will take the wind out of your sails.

One thing you can do is to put some practical routines in place that not even COVID can interrupt. As a Deakin community, we’re here to help you do just that. We’re all about supporting each other, so over the next month we’re really focusing on our collective physical and mental wellbeing.  

We encourage you to try some or all of the following strategies, activities and resources to help you get through this disruptive time.

Put yourself first

You can’t be on top of the world all the time, especially in this environment. It’s important to understand how you’re feeling and give yourself permission to take time out when you need it. Say ‘no’ to regular commitments when you’re feeling depleted, make time each day to do the things you love and don’t overschedule yourself.

Something that can really help is mindfulness. To get you started, DeakinACTIVE is holding free online meditation sessions twice a week during August. These short 15-minute classes will help you to calm your mind and find some balance:

When: Tuesday 10, 17 & 24, and Thursday 12, 19 & 26 August, 10.15–10.30am (room will open at 10am)
REGISTER NOW

If you find mindfulness works for you, download the Smiling Mind app for more guided activities you can do whenever suits.

Study smarter, not harder

These constant disruptions can make focusing on study a real challenge. We don’t want your study success to come at the cost of your wellbeing, so we’re holding a series of free online workshops to give you practical advice on coping with uni, staying motivated and developing resilience:

Exercise regularly

If restrictions make it hard for you to keep up your regular exercise routine, there’s other ways to stay active. Even a walk around the block can help to clear your head or get creative as you move around the house.

To help you maintain your physical health, DeakinACTIVE is running free online pilates and yoga session during August, so take some time out to stretch your body and relax your mind:

Have the jab

COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe and voluntary. The more people who choose to get vaccinated, the greater the protection for those vaccinated and the whole community.

You can get a free COVID-19 vaccination if you’re aged 40 years and over, or are in one of the priority groups. People aged 18–39 can now get the AstraZeneca vaccine at participating medical clinics or certain vaccination centres. If you’re a student about to start a course placement in a healthcare setting, you’re also eligible to receive your vaccination.

Read more about who can get vaccinated and how to book. The best person to talk to if you have concerns about your health and being vaccinated against COVID-19 is your doctor.

Ask for help 

If you start to feel excessively stressed or anxious, begin to withdraw from friends and family, or notice unusual symptoms or emotions, it might be wise to seek some help. For emergency, 24-hour support, contact LifeLine or SuicideLine. Deakin also has a range of student support services: 



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