Healthy NTU

By Devishi Kapoor a 1st year BSc (Hons) Product Design student. 

With the novel Corona Virus in the air, practicing social distancing has become a necessity. Naturally, it comes with its fair share of sorrows. It is a rather anxious time, with uncertainty looming over us. As we stockpile tissue paper, wash our hands and disinfect surfaces, mental health can take a back seat. In such trying times, it is important to balance our physical and mental wellbeing.

Self-isolating can be a challenging and difficult to sustain, considering it is for an indefinite period till the situation improves.

As an introvert, I have spent many a weekend “self-isolating” without even knowing it! Here are my top tips to maintain mental well-being under quarantine:

Staying Connected

Thank goodness for the internet and unlimited talk time! Calls and video chats are the best ways to stay in touch with your loved ones as you lounge on your couch. This is especially helpful if you live alone, just seeing someone’s face or hearing a voice can lift your spirits!

Talking about a variety of topics

It’s no secret that the coronavirus has been the main topic of conversations since the last few weeks. This can be extremely frustrating and suffocating, so take the initiative and change the topic- coursework, movies, philosophy, anything you like.

Avoiding Negative News

Listening to the news all the time or scrolling through the latest statistics, can be stressful. While it is important to stay up to date with the latest happenings, avoid over-exposure to negativity.

Staying occupied

Self-isolating can come with its fair share of boredom, and the lack of a timetable can make you lazy and demotivated. With NTU’s online classes starting from 23^rdMarch, staying in a schedule, just like you would for a normal university is a must! Waking up in time, attending attentively, doing assignments, all of which will keep you timetabled and leave less room for boredom.

Making lists

When you’re not constantly up and about, it can be difficult to remember tasks that need to be completed. Making lists or maintaining journals keeps you organized and prepared, without lagging on important work.

Being Productive

Despite the online lessons, there will be plenty of time till to spare which can be used to hone some skills. Cooking, sketching, yoga, singing, and other interesting hobbies can be embraced to keep you on your feet productively. Perhaps, clear out that wardrobe that you’ve been meaning to, or read the book on your reading list since you were 17.

Stress in the living space

Whether you’re living at home, or with flat mates, having to be around the same people 24×7 compulsorily can be irritating. Erupting into fights over cleaning, cooking and basic every-day matters can cause anxiety, without space to displace it. It can help to walk away and calm yourself down in your room and deal with the situation with a cool mind.

Staying physically healthy

With gyms and outdoor games facilities closed, we might soon be completely restricted to our homes. Sitting on the couch all day can have adverse physiological effects, so take some time to do basic exercises to keep the blood flowing. If you have access to a garden in your home or a balcony in your flat, don’t be afraid to take that breath of fresh air; open your windows and allow air circulation.

Reach out

This is undoubtedly a rather stressful time-boredom, worry and frustration can add fuel to that. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family, who probably have similar feelings. There are also a variety of online sources that can guide you through. Contact NTU Student Support and ask for help.

These are turbulent, unpredictable times, and it can be difficult to put things into perspective. Self-isolation is a critical part of ensuring your safety as well as protecting those around you from infection. It is the ideal time to embrace the millennial cat-like lifestyle, of staying put in one place, grooming yourself, and scrolling through memes.

Don’t forget that Student Support Services are still here to support you and we are regularly posting through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as well as over on the Virtual Global Lounge Team and the new Stamp out Stress Team

For help and advice whilst studying at NTU, take a look at the following for sources of support.
Support from NTU
Silvercloud: SilverCloud is our online system designed to help with a range of mental health issues.
Depression advice
Counselling
Wellness in Mind: Advice and support for anyone in Nottingham experiencing issues with their mental wellbeing
Struggling at Uni? Go to Student Minds
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