By Jamie Smith, a 3rd year, Business Management and Economics

Has University got you feeling overwhelmed and in need of a mental reset? Here my tips for focusing on de-stressing to help you manage your mental health, happiness and the busyness of university and life! Everyone will be different in terms of what will be helpful for them, but this blog will help you explore some the possible ways to de-stress. By trying some of these methods hopefully they will help you to gain self-awareness and structure in your life which will only benefit you going forward.

Mindfulness practices

Practicing mindfulness is one of the best ways to unclutter a busy and stressed mind, just by taking a few minutes each day to engage and practice mindfulness meditation. How to do this? There are videos and blogs where you can teach yourself. Just learning breathing techniques – they are so simple, yet powerful. It can help centre your mind and help bring awareness to the present moment. In turn reducing stress and anxiety. Example: Focus on your breath, feeling and being aware of each inhale and exhale. Repeat this until you start to feel calmer.

Physical activity

When you exercise you release endorphins. Endorphins are produced to help relieve pain, reduce stress and can improve your mood. Finding an activity that you enjoy can be extremely beneficial. Making it a regular part of your routine will only benefit you. Not only will it benefit your physical health, but it will also contribute to a more relaxed state of mind. Establishing limits may help you avoid overworking yourself, which is another crucial aspect of good self-care. Prioritise your self-care and learn when to say no. Being too committed can result in stress and burnout, so set boundaries and schedule time for enjoyable and restorative pursuits. Example: Exercise can be a brisk walk, a run, or a yoga session.

Work-life balance

Having and maintaining a work-life balance is crucial. Make a strong division between your personal and professional time. During your downtime, turn off Work-related/University related notifications such as Teams and avoid the need to read emails or finish chores later than you have planned. This division keeps work-related stress out of your personal life and promotes mental clarity.

Example: Set aside time per week to socialise and relax as much as you set time for university work or part-time work.

Creating and maintaining a supportive network

Creating a supportive social network is another key aspect of stress management. Share your thoughts and feelings with friends or family you trust. Connecting with others not only provides emotional support but also offers different perspectives and coping strategies. Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine, so surround yourself with positive influences that bring joy to your life.

Example: Talk to your friends and family about worries and concerns, just talking and saying it out loud can help make your mind less busy.

Sleep

Sleep is crucial to de-stressing, it allows our minds and bodies to rest and rejuvenate. Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night will really help. Making and following a night-time routine will allow for you to do this. Tips for better sleep are avoiding screen use before you sleep, replace this habit with reading which will allow for your mind to slowly wind down.

Example: Set a time to sleep and follow it. Make sure your daily tasks are completed and do something calm such as yoga or reading before your time to sleep.

You and your choices can help de-stress you. Make sure to take time for yourself and focus on your mental health and well-being, once you do this, inevitably you will figure out what works best for you and how you can manage stress.

For help, advice and resources whilst studying at NTU, take a look at the following for sources of support.
Support from NTU
Self-Care books in NTU’s libraries
Silvercloud: SilverCloud is our online system designed to help with a range of mental health issues.
Health and Wellbeing resources
NTSU Information and Advice service
Wellness in Mind: Advice and support for anyone in Nottingham experiencing issues with their mental wellbeing
Student Minds or Student Space
10 Keys to happiness
Mind
Papyrus
CALM