WELL BEING | TOP 10 TIPS FOR KEEPING MIND HEALTHY AT UNIVERSITY

As a student at university it can be an extremely exciting and world-opening experience!

However, the increased pressure and expectations, alongside the massive change, can for some people at some point or another in their degree appear to be all too much to cope with...

...have no fear - you are not on your own!

Whether you have a mental health diagnosis or not, there is a lot of help out there for YOU as a student which is available at your disposal. Sometimes you might have to dig around for it but once you are able to engage with help it can help you to feel more grounded and balanced with your studies and social life.

I will talk about the help on offer for you in a post next week, but for now I'd like to share my TOP 10 tips on how to keep "mind healthy" at university. If you have any tips you feel are important and not mentioned then please get in touch! It would be great to know what works for different people :)

TOP 10 TIPS FOR KEEPING MIND HEALTHY AT UNIVERSITY!

1.  It is important to figure out what triggers your stress levels to run sky high (e.g. nearing deadlines, lack of social support, money issues, relationships, disrupted routine) and to be able to identify these and create yourself a network of support to help you from these situations becoming too intense for you to.

2.  Establish a good routine and structure - regularity can help to settle your mind and aid your work/life balance. Stick to a timetable or figure out your plans for the week ahead.

3.  Establish a group of close friends who you feel able to talk to and can turn to when life is particularly stressful. Try to avoid isolating yourself and hibernating away in your room (as appealing as it is at times) - TOO MUCH alone time is NOT good for anyone.

4.  Keep on top of your finances - figure out how much money you realistically have to spend each week as a student and use that as a guideline to work around - you're more likely to stay out of your overdraft this way and avoid any nasty end-of-term single figure surprises!

5.  Eat well and eat regularly - lots of whole grains and energy-fueling food.

Make sure you eat enough protein, whether meat or a vegetarian option and Omega 3 is extremely important for keeping your mind healthy.

6.  Get involved with extra-curricular activities.

It can be a university society, a community group, part-time job, volunteering, etc...

7.  Getting enough sleep is VITAL - this can also help you with regulating a routine. Eight hours sleep minimum if you can. It's really not that big a deal going to bed before 1am as a student (unless you're out partying EVERY NIGHT) and you'll feel much better for it anyway.

8.  Exercise is also essential for maintaining a healthy mind. Try to do 20 minutes of brisk exercise at least five days a week, even if it's just walking to or from uni instead of taking the bus on some days or biking down to the supermarket for your shopping. You don't necessarily need a gym - if anything, being out in the fresh air will be much better for you.

9. How much are you drinking? Are you partying too much? Too much drink or too much party can cause anyone a slight moment of madness. You end up in that situation of asking yourself "What is my life?" (we've all been there!) - if you know this is going to upset your "balance" then recognise this and take action. It's ok to party, it's good for you(!), but try to understand your limits and use it as a treat. Your mind and your bank-balance will thank you...

10.  If you feel that your problems are severely affecting your ability to live and study then PLEASE contact external help. There are many options available for you as a student out there which can help you to manage your issues whilst at university (MORE ON THIS NEXT WEEK!).

However - If you ever feel in a point of crisis then please contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

TOP 10 | ESSENTIAL DEN-MAKING MATERIALS

So obviously I have not yet posted about making dens...or dens of any sort for that matter. I apologise.

This is mainly due to the fact that I don't have the most ideal space for making a den in my room at home and also because I am currently lacking important den-worthy materials. However, come mid-September I will have a new student pad up in Leeds and I hope to make it DENTASTIC.

Making dens is all about being creative.

The basic principle is using whatever materials you have available to you to make a little hide away space for your own comfort. You don't need lots of £££ or a shipment from Ikea. That defies the WHOLE point. So to get you started I have compiled a list of the TOP 10 ESSENTIALS needed to make the perfect den.

#1  YOUR IMAGINATION

Be creative.

#2  SPACE

A relatively large space where it doesn't matter if you take it as your own ground for a few hours, days, life-time...! If you want a quiet and relaxing den then it's good to choose a space where you no there will be minimal disturbances and distractions.

However, if you want a PARTY DEN(!) then it's good to place it in the centre of a room, student digs, abandoned squat or whatever takes your fancy.

#3  POLE

Your centre. Your inner chi. Your den's "core".

Therefore, the sturdier the better. Use a tripod, old mop/broom stick, bamboo sticks from the garden, hat stand, light stand, shower/curtain rails, a javelin(!)...okay, maybe not the last option but as you can see the list goes on and on.

#4  CANOPY / MOSQUITO NET

You can pick these up for real cheap off ebay (from China - mine was £1.99!). They also sell them in the kids sections in Ikea and Next.

Again, be imaginative, look in outdoors/camping stores for mosquito nets.

#5  DRAPING MATERIALS

These can be as basic as your spare set of bed sheets (although don't use this an excuse not to wash the ones currently on your bed) or something more extravagant like the hand-made throw some lady made out of 12 Alpaca's which you got on your gap year.

The MORE materials the BETTER.

Drape here...drape there...drape everywhere! This is where #6 comes in handy.

#6  PINS / PEGS / HOOKS / STRING

Drawing pins, safety pins, pegs, sticky hooks or the screw-in kind, string, rope or twine are also good but make sure you secure them properly to avoid any collapses.

#7  INTERIORS

So now you've built your den. It's probably going to be looking a little empty in there.

It's best to think of the essential things you need like desks and a seating/lounging area and then think of these in miniature form.

Good desk materials include: cardboard boxes, milk crates, coffee tables, foot rests, upturned laundry baskets/bins.

Good seating materials include: cushions, pouffe's, bean bags...hell, why not get a hammock if you've got enough room?

#8  LIGHTING

Standard = Fairy lights. I do love them though. Be careful not leave them on for too long or too close to the fabric as you don't want to snooze off to end up with your local firemen coming to rescue you from your den at 3am...or maybe you do! Lava lamps, glow jars (how cool are these?!) and candles can also add ambience.

#9  HOME COMFORTS

For decor and atmosphere: music, incense, your favourite snuggling materials, bunting, flowers, etc.

 Things to keep you occupied in your den: a good book, writing, your laptop and a movie...or for me this year...the dissertation!

...and last but not least...

#10  DEN SNACKS!

Popcorn, cakes and snacky things are best. Ice cream if you're feeling fancy.

Here's some inspiration for a selection of healthy den-snack recipes:

Chocolate Covered Raisins

Easy Microwave Popcorn

Chai Spiced Banana Oat Cookies

Oven Baked Sweet Potato and Parsnip Crisps

PB, Choc Chip and Honey Banana 'Ice Cream'

Images in Order: Divine Coastline, Piccsy, weheartit, Pandafresh, Design Sponge, everythinginspiring, Matthew Johnson, Intimate Weddings, insatiable swarm, burpeesinthekitchen.