Juggling university studies, work, and personal life can be tough at times and you might feel stressed, or anxious. It’s important you take the time to look after yourself. Oasis Coordinator and Flinders counsellor Ben Smith shares his top tips to improve your mental wellbeing.
1. Understand experiences of failure are part of learning. Failures don’t define you, so don’t let them make you feel incompetent or incapable.
2. Always exercise self-compassion. Don’t be too self-critical but show love, and self-compassion to yourself, especially when life gets messy.
3. Learn to live mindfully and enjoy the moment. Be here and now, not somewhere else! Enjoy the simple things life has to offer.
4. Make friends with anxiety. Anxiety isn’t always a bad thing – it’s often evidence you’re doing something you care about and want to do well at.
5. Exercise. This is one of the most effective ways to improve not only physical fitness, but mental fitness too. Exercising 3 times a week for 30 minutes can have a huge positive impact on your mental wellbeing.
Oasis provide a range of events to help improve your wellbeing. For more information see: oasis.flinders.edu.au/programs-events
If you’re after additional support, the University provides a free and confidential counselling service (up to 6 sessions per year), available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, including students studying entirely online. Qualified, experienced counsellors can help with both academic and personal issues Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Outside of these hours (weekdays – 5pm – 9am, weekends and public holidays 24 hours) crisis support is available by calling 1300 512 409 or texting 0488 884 103.