In a year like no other you may be feeling burnt out and stressed. It can be normal to feel stressed when we face uncertainty around our health and lifestyles and each of us responds in a different way.
Togetherall is a safe, anonymous online community where you can connect with others and share how you’re feeling. You can get support, or you can support others. It provides 24-hour online mental health support as well as courses and resources to learn how to manage your wellbeing and feel better.
You can access free online support and the managing stress course by signing up with your university email address. Join Togetherall here.
Top tips for starting your day right
Building routine into your daily life can be grounding, and one way to help improve your mental health. Our partners at Togetherall have created some tips on how to start (and finish) your day:
1. Start your day with a nutritious breakfast and some exercise
Eating healthy will make you feel better in yourself physically and mentally. Drink a cup of green tea followed by a nice and nutritious breakfast to kick start your day. This will give you the energy to power through your morning.
Having an exercise plan with realistic goals and sticking to it, it’s also very important. Get out in the morning or during daylight to get some fresh air. Whether it is walking the dog, running, or stretching in the garden, break away from the screen for at least three minutes every hour.
2. Build routines
Fight the desire to stay in bed later and treat your day as a normal university day. This includes pretending to commute to university. Use the time you used to take for commuting to exercise or listen to a podcast, so you are starting the day fresh and motivated.
Set up your day with a desk-style set up (even if you are at the kitchen table) that gives some replication of being at university. At the end of the day, build in a routine to ensure down time and good sleep.
3. Pamper yourself
We are going through a tough time, so it’s good and beneficial to do something a little extra for yourself that you wouldn’t usually do. This could be as little as having a bubble bath or lighting a scented candle before you start your day. Try to incorporate little things that make you face the day with a smile.
4. Connect with others
We are all lacking connection with others at the moment, but also what we talk about when we connect has become limited as our lives can feel more monotonous. So, plan calls and conversations to cover topics that feel more ‘normal’, such as agree to watch a tv series or start a book club.
The Togetherall community is a good place to share how you are feeling without fear of judgement, but also to help and connect with others like you. The Togetherall community is completely anonymous and available 24/7, so you can give and receive support any time, any place. It is also monitored by mental health practitioners, meaning you can get professional advice and encouragement.
5. Celebrate small achievements
Every achievement, regardless of its size, deserves a reward. Try to practice some gratitude when you wake up. This could be appreciating the sleep you just had or being grateful for a healthy meal. You can write all your achievements – whether big or small they are – and get in the habit of celebrating each small success. Your little wins add up to big things.
Further resources and support for students
The Student Wellbeing Service is open and running a remote, online support service during Term 2. The teams are available Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm. You can contact them if you have any questions or concerns or would like to book an online or phone appointment.
Email wellbeing@gre.ac.uk or call 0208 331 7875.
You can find a list of student support services and resources in our Wellbeing Update. You can also continue to make use of the wellbeing resources on the University Mental Health Day web page and in our Wellbeing Hub.
Please remember the university is here to help and support you.
