Feeling blue, like there’s not enough time, or everything is getting too much? Then you’re feeling stressed.
Wellbeing blog: Managing Stress
Posted:
02 Nov 2023
"Stress" written in pencil being erased
Feeling blue, like there’s not enough time, or everything is getting too much? Then you’re feeling stressed.
Everyone experiences stress, short-term stress can be useful, it can inspire and motivate, focus our energy, and enhance our performance. However, when stress becomes overwhelming, it can interfere with our ability to know how best to manage.
How we manage stress can make a big difference to our mental wellbeing and our overall academic performance. There are lots of different ways we can manage stress such as getting more sleep, getting organised, exercise, a healthy diet, self-hypnosis and guided imagery. We have many resources to share with you, check out the links below and try some of the suggestions, they might just make a big difference in helping you to feel more in control.
Our Wellbeing Adviser (Carol) is offering you the chance to experience a Guided Visualisation and short Mindful Breathing practice on Thursday, 9th November at 5pm-5:20pm, in the Lecture Theatre. Please join her and book your space on this Guided Imagery Workshop by emailing wellbeing@trinhall.cam.ac.uk.
Get More Sleep
If you are experiencing difficulties with sleep, maybe consider enrolling on the University Counselling Service ‘A Good Night’s Sleep’ workshop:
A Good Night’s Sleep Workshop | Student Support (cam.ac.uk)
Get Organised
One way to reduce the amount of stress that you experience as a student is to keep your room organised. An organised space can create positive mood and aid relaxation which is conducive to effective study.
Frequent Exercise
Why not try something new with the University’s Give it a Go programme (free, weekly sports activities for students, with all equipment provided), the University sports clubs and Trinity Hall sports clubs, Trinity Hall sports facilities, and cycling in Cambridge, which we promoted at our last Wellbeing Roadshow.
Use Guided Imagery
Using guided imagery to reduce stress is easy and effective. Visualisations can help you calm down and detach from what’s stressing you out.
Here you’ll find four short videos from the NHS with simple tools and techniques to reduce stress:
NHS England » Finding calm amongst the chaos
Healthy Diet
You may not realise it, but your diet can either boost your brainpower or sap you of mental energy. It can also make you more reactive to the stress in your life.
A healthy diet can help combat stress in several ways. Improving your diet can keep you from experiencing diet-related mood swings, light-headedness, fatigue, high blood pressure and more.
Self-hypnosis
Self-hypnosis can help release tension from your body and stress from your mind.
NHS in Mind has a video if you’d like to find out more:
NHS Free Mind Plan
Answer 5 simple questions to get your personalised mental health action plan from the NHS, with tips and advice to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
The Wellbeing Team