April marks Stress Awareness Month

With final term and May exams around the corner, there's no better time to think about how you manage stress and what you can do to look after your wellbeing.

Stress Awareness Month is when we're encouraged to really think about how we deal with stress and what we can do to cope in the more stressful moments of life.

Stress is something we all experience in different ways and for different reasons. A small bit of stress can help us power through those final deadlines but when stress starts to take its toll is when we have to find ways to deal with those feelings. Stress can affect you physically and emotionally - click here for all symptoms. 

#LeadWithLove

This year’s theme from Stress Management Society is #LeadWithLove which encourages us to be kinder to ourselves and those around us. With self-love on the agenda this month, here's just a few ways you can show you, your friends and flatmates some love.

Remember, stress looks different for everyone which means these small actions will help us in different ways. So even if you try to find what works for you this month, you're on your way to making positive steps towards better wellbeing.

💘 Make time to show yourself some kindness 

It's spring break and although it's a time for catching up on studies, it's also a time to take a break and breathe after a busy semester. Actively schedule in some time aside this month to do something you love, whether it's sporty, crafty, walking in nature, eating your favourite food, reading a book, seeing friends. 

Doing something along these lines can help release feel-good endorphins and show you just how important it is to prioritise your own wellbeing.

📴 Take a break 

Even if you don't necessarily realise it, our phones can be a root of stress. With constant notifications and fear of missing out if we don't keep checking, it can lead to sleep disruption and make concentration difficult. 

Challenge yourself to put your phone away and keep your hands busy doing something else. Activities like painting, crocheting, playing sport and baking can relieve us of that need to check our phones.

Check out our Spring Mini Egg brownie recipe for some baking inspiration!

🤗 Make a random act of kindness

Sticking to the #LeadWithLove theme for the month, show your friends and flatmates the love with a gesture. Even if you're not necessarily BFFs with your flatmates, suggesting a coffee or asking them about their day is an easy way to brighten someone's day. 

🌳 Spend time in nature

A walk in nature can help melt away the stresses of everyday life. If you've had a stressful morning of studying then why not break up your day with a lunch time walk? You'll feel more refreshed and ready to go after spending time outdoors. 

Click here for some of our favourite outdoor spaces local to Halls 

Coming up: Bird Watching & Nature trails trip on 30th April - book now!

🌞 Practise self-love

Try to challenge unhelpful thoughts that cause you worry with something positive. 

E.g. "I haven't revised enough for this exam - I am so annoyed" 

Adding to the stress at an already challenging time won't do much good. Try to flip it around and counteract the thought with "I haven't revised enough for this exam - I'll make a revision plan to make the most of the time I have now. I'll know what to next time".

Or, say for example, you and your flatmates don't see eye to eye. It isn't always possible to get along with absolutely everybody so rather than being frustrated, try to counteract the thought with something along the lines of "we have our differences and that's fine. It hasn't worked out how I wanted it to but we'll try to move on and make the most out of the situation".

Click here for more tips on getting along with flatmates

🤸‍♀️Try something new

Trying a new experience or learning something new can help us connect with people around us, boost your confidence and help you get to know what it is that you enjoy the most. Whether it’s volunteering, trying a new gym class or a spot of gardening. Check out the Guild’s Give it a Go page and Halls Life events for the final term of the year!

✨ Find a moment of calm 

Whether deep breathing is new to you or it’s something you’ve tried before, it can be a really effective way to feel calm, lower your heart rate and relieve stress in the height of a difficult moment. It’s also something you can do anywhere, anytime. 

British Heart Foundation shares 3 breathing techniques proven to combat stress

💭 Support 

1) The Wellbeing team are running 'managing stress' sessions this Spring Break - book on here! 

2) If you want to read more about handling stress, the University has a super-handy self-help guide on stress that you can read or listen to anytime, anywhere - click here!

2) If there's something that causes you stress in halls or at university, don't forget to reach out to your Residential Adviser (RA). Our RAs living in halls have often experienced university life themselves so can really understand the difficulties that come with living in halls, sharing a flat with others and the challenges of studying.

3) Talking through your worries can help relieve the load of stress. Call Health Assured for a free, confidential advice line to speak with qualified counsellors and advisors who will listen without judgement. Call Health Assured on 0800 028 3766 at any time of day.

4) Contact the University's Student Services for support from lots of different teams such as Money, Advice and Guidance or Mental Health and Wellbeing. Call 0151 795 1000 or book an appointment online. 

The Stress Awareness Month campaign shares lots of helpful resources online here!