But Marion (topic coordinator) was kind enough to give me a second chance and I’ve spoken to this cohort every year since 2019, and I think done a much better job that my first try.<\/p>\n
The presentation I give has changed over time. It currently focuses on:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Evidence-based study practices<\/li>\n
- Foundational personal practices for good mental health<\/li>\n
- Starting new habits<\/li>\n
- Overview of Health, Counselling and Disability Support services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The slides can be accessed here<\/a><\/p>\n
One of the things we focused on in this session is The Big 5 from the team at Mindspot<\/a>. I’ve written about these previously<\/a>. In short, these are five daily activities that show a reliable connection with positive mental health. They are:<\/p>\n
Meaningful Activities<\/strong> – These give us a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction or joy. They can be as simple as listening to a favourite song or watching a good show, and they are often fun and engaging.<\/p>\n
Healthy Thinking<\/strong> – This means having realistic thoughts about ourselves, the world, and the future. This also means keeping perspective and treating ourselves with respect, particularly when things are difficult.<\/p>\n
Goals and Plans<\/strong> – Having a goal or a plan helps us stay motivated and energised. Goals give us something to look forward to and stop us dwelling on past problems.<\/p>\n
Healthy Routines<\/strong> – Routines we do automatically like our sleep routine, eating well or being active, are critical for good mental health. These actions set us up for the day.<\/p>\n
Social Connections<\/strong> – Regular contact with people we love and respect, which may include our family, friends or tribe, helps us to feel validated and gives us a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n
The idea is simple. You assess the extent to which you engage in these activities on a regular basis, and if they are relatively absent, you take steps to introduce them regularly, as a good starting point for building better mental health.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/student-health-and-well-being\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/04\/cat-wave-1.png\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"