Written by Chantelle Uvero, UTS Bachelor of Nursing student
Whether you’re staff, a new student, or a continuing student – maintaining wellbeing can be difficult. As we see assessment and exam dates creeping our way, it can feel quite overwhelming.
This is why maintaining our physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing is crucial, no matter what time during the semester. It’s easy to get carried away when life gets hectic, so it’s important that we make time for the things in life that give us energy and motivation.
Here are some ways that can help you maintain your wellbeing:
- Schedule in your downtime: It’s easy to forget how busy we can be and not give ourselves proper breaks. Keep a planner or use the calendar app on your device to help keep yourself on track. Make time for things that you enjoy – even just for an hour a day!
- Check in with friends and family: Keep in touch with your loved ones and the people who lift you up. Surround yourself with people who will make sure you’re on the right track. Sometimes we forget to stop and take moments to see how we’re doing along the way. Having someone help us be accountable (and vice versa) for how we’re doing is important, so we can evaluate what we’re doing and why.
- Keep active and don’t forget to rest: Exercise gets a positive wrap for wellbeing and for the right reasons. Exercising not only helps you keep physically strong, but can assist with mental and cognitive function. From going for walks, lifting weights at the gym to boxing classes – find an exercise that you enjoy! Get a friend to join, and don’t forget to listen to your body and get enough rest and sleep when you need it.
- Downtime and hobbies: Enjoy your down time by doing something that you enjoy: watching an episode or two on Netflix, learning an instrument or even a language, trying out that sport you’ve always been interested in, reading, writing, drawing, or painting. If you need some inspiration, ActivateUTS has a range of clubs and societies that you can check out!
- Express your emotions: Writing down and reflecting on thoughts, talking to a friend or a therapist, or even participating in creative arts are some ways you can express emotions. It’s important to notice when you feel like you’re struggling, and asking for help is always OK. If you need any assistance, visit your GP, or check out university services such as counselling and medical services. Visit Current Student Support for more.
Wellbeing is very personal and unique to all of us. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but hopefully, it gives you an idea of where you can start.
It’s important we go through the nitty-gritty of our everyday life and still be able to show up healthy and happy to take on our studies and work. Just remember that we all have different approaches to how we recharge so we can have a balanced lifestyle, so explore what works for you.
Wishing you the best – good luck!
Learn about studying Health at UTS.
Inside | Out 