Stress Busting Tips
After a stressful day, it’s easy to zone out to mindless TV/social media or binge on comfort food
But this can mean you end up going to bed feeling drained and anxious… and you start off the next day feeling much the same! Thanks to the Guild Welfare Department and Student Assist, here are a few quick and simple actions that can work wonders for calming your nerves…
1. Take a break or meditate
The mental health benefits of practicing meditation on a daily basis include:
Improved concentration and focus,
Enhances self-awareness and self-esteem,
Reduces levels of stress and anxiety, and
Fosters compassion and kindness
Provides us with clarity
Helps us to distance ourselves from our emotions and thoughts by being objective
Learn to connect with ourselves at a deeper level
Meditation also has benefits for your general physical health such as regulation of breathing, improved immune system, detoxification of the body for overall better mental and physical wellbeing.
If you are experiencing an urgent mental health concern, please contact Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) 1300 555 788 or dial 000 in an emergency.
Online Guided Meditation Playlist
Take a breather and meditate whenever you need to with our playlist of short guided meditations, available on Soundcloud!
Music credits:
Spatium by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon. Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Infinitely by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon. Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
2. Exercise
As well as improving your overall health and well-being, exercise has some direct stress-busting benefits. It pumps up your endorphins and improves your mood. Go for a brisk walk or jog around campus in-between lectures/exam study or join the gym at UWA for as little as $13 per week.
3. Spend time in nature
Even five minutes outdoors can help relieve stress and boost your mood. Take advantage of the beautiful surroundings we have at UWA: go for a brisk walk by the river or around the gardens to de-stress and regain focus.
4. Breathe (well!)
Shallow over-breathing, or hyperventilation, can prolong feelings of anxiety by making the physical symptoms of stress worse. Spend a few minutes focusing on long, deep breaths.
5. Eat healthy foods
When we’re stressed, we often turn to traditional comfort foods like hot chips, pizza, and ice cream. Ironically, these high-fat foods are usually the worst possible choices because they can make us feel lethargic and less able to deal with stress. Stock up on healthy options like your favourite fruits and nuts.
6. Stay positive
Positive thinking may improve your health in many ways and even extend your life span! Here’s how to do it.
7. Stay connected
Staying connected with a support network can be critical in helping you through the stress of tough times, whether you’ve had a bad day at uni or a year filled with loss or chronic illness. Keep in touch with important people in your life, like family, uni friends and co-workers.