Our new campaign which aims to help our students take steps to achieve and maintain good mental wellbeing is now in its second week.
The campaign, which is based on the NHS’s 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing, will explore ideas and things to try which may make you feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life and your studies.
This week we are looking at step two: Be active
Being active is not only great for your physical health, but also for your mental wellbeing. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that what you do with your body can have a big effect on your mind. It is thought, for example, that the chemical changes in your brain brought on by physical activity can help to positively change your mood.
You don’t have to be super sporty or committed to working out in the gym everyday to be active.
The trick is to find an activity that works for you and build it into your everyday life so it becomes your normal.
University of Liverpool undergraduate student Nikita, has been exploring the best ways to be active. Find out how she got on by watching her video here >
The NHS recommends that adults aged 19 and over do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like fast walking or cycling, each week. That’s only just over 20 mins per day which could make you feel happier and more positive.
Spend some time getting active! You could try:
- Walking all or part of your commute to university – why not head to the next bus stop instead of the closest one or get off one stop early?
- Couch to 5K – this is a free running plan for absolute beginners. It involves running 3 days per week and a different plan for each week to help build your strength and endurance
- Take the stairs instead of the lift
- Be a tourist again – whether you are new to Liverpool or not, there will almost certainly be some attractions you haven’t visited yet! Getting out and about is an easy way to get active, and you can do some really enjoyable things at the same time. Read our article on getting to know the city for some ideas.
- Get some mates together and go for a walk around one of Liverpool’s awesome parks once a week – You are never far from a park in Liverpool!
- Cycling – why not try a city cycling tour or get together with some friends for a Sunday cycling session? If you don’t have a bike check out the City Bike offer for students.
Over the next few weeks we will be encouraging all students to try out the NHS’s Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing. Keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts as well as our Student News pages for ideas around how you can get involved.
How to get support if you need it
If at any time during your studies you feel you might benefit from some extra support, we are here to help.
We offer a wellbeing drop-in between 11am-3pm every weekday in the Alsop Building for practical and pastoral support in a confidential space. You don’t need to book – simply come along to the Student Welfare Advice and Guidance Information Point on the ground floor of the Alsop Building (on University Square).
Services available for our students include:
- Student Welfare Advice and Guidance – confidential service to provide help and support to students
- Counselling Service – free and confidential advice to current students
- Mental Health Advisory Service – help and advice with mental health needs
- Big White Wall – 24/7 peer and professional support service
- SilverCloud free online self-help modules – Space from Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Positive Body Image modules which can be completed for free
- Bibliotherapy resources – a collection of self-help books which can be accessed for free
- Relaxation Programme – available to stream and download and is designed to be used with a self-assessment relaxation diary
- Self Help Hub online – Access information about a range of issues including anxiety, depression and exam worries
- Groups and workshops – the Counselling Service run regular groups and workshops
- Additional support – A list of other support networks you can access can be found on our Counselling Service webpages here.