Beat stress and conquer anxiety this Mental Health Month
It’s Week 11 – how are you going? As we approach the end of the trimester, you’re no doubt in preparation mode for the end-of-unit assessment (EoUA) period (and the upcoming break!). It can be a very busy time and if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, know you’re not alone.
Mental Health Month, which runs throughout October, is all about shining a light on mental health and focusing on how we can all contribute to bettering our individual and collective mental health and wellbeing.
Here at Deakin, we want to talk about it, embrace it and normalise it – and give you any support you need to be the best version of yourself. Finding ways to improve our mental health and wellbeing need not be a daunting task either. Making small, incremental changes can go a long way in helping us feel more aware, included and connected in meaningful ways.
Check out Deakin’s Mental Health Month webpage to join some great activities and events happening throughout the month, and for helpful resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Simple ways you can look after yourself this month
We encourage you to try these great tips to manage stress and nurture your wellbeing, and to share anything you found useful with your friends and loved ones – remember that taking care of others is good for you too!
- Connect with friends and socialise. We’re all wired to feel happy and safe when we connect with our chosen people (so don’t feel guilty about taking some well-placed study breaks with your pals!).
- Nourish your body. It’s hard to feel happy if you’re not feeding yourself nutritious food or staying properly hydrated. Check out the DUSA Food Pantry and Nourished@Deakin resources if you need food relief or advice on improving your diet.
- Get enough sleep. Burning the candle at both ends is a sure-fire way to make yourself unwell over time. Try to keep a regular bedtime and limit phone use before you tuck in.
- Practise mindfulness. Slowing down our thoughts and living in the moment can free us from automatic and unhelpful ways of thinking and responding. There’s lots of mindfulness apps available – such as DeakinWELLBEING or Smiling Mind.
- Get moving and be active! It’s easy to fall into sedentary habits while studying but you’ll find your cognitive abilities and mood are elevated by regular activity. See DeakinACTIVE‘s offerings and try to get outside for fresh air if you can.
- Take a break and change your environment. A change is as good as a holiday, as they say! Try a new activity over the weekend or revamp your study area for an easy way to freshen your mindset.
We also understand elements of health and wellbeing may hold different social and cultural meanings for different individuals.
For our Indigenous members of the Deakin community, for whom social and emotional wellbeing may hinge on holistic principles and connections beyond Western understandings of mental health and wellbeing, these Deadly Tips offer great advice for staying connected and well.
If you would like more information about how culture influences mental health needs and where to find culturally-accessible support, the Beyond Blue website offers advice and a range of translated mental health resources.
We understand our LGBTIQA+ peers and allies may face unique challenges while working and studying. See the Deakin website for advice about internal and external support services, and advice for how to support someone who is affirming their gender.
Find out more
Visit the Deakin’s Mental Health Month webpage for more information about the range of free and confidential services, available at Deakin and beyond, to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
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