Movement: Moving more for our mental health

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 will take place from 13th to 19th May, on the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Following this theme from the Mental Health Foundation, the Editorial Team has come together to share how movement improves their mental health.

- Student Minds Blog Editorial Team

Movement will always be important for our mental (and physical) health but so many of us struggle to move another. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to encourage people to add movements to their daily routine as we understand that often this isn't too easy for so many reasons. Taking a walk, dancing around your bedroom or simply doing an exercise in your chair all count!

⭐ How does movement help you?⭐

• Taylor: Doing something small for your mental health like moving is so easily forgotten as we're swept up in the busyness of life. Going for a walk (especially as the evenings get lighter and golden hour shines through) is my favourite way to move! Not only can I get my steps in, but it's also a stress-free way to clear my mind and ground myself in the present.

• Emily A: As a woman with a late ADHD diagnosis, I'm still getting to grips with how my body, and mind, work differently in terms of my activity levels and ways to organise my routine. On top of this, I've recently started a new job working entirely from home...so you can imagine how that's worked out! I find getting out into new spaces really helps my mind to focus and allows me to feel productive in a different space. Whether it's continuous movement that keeps you engaged, or simply moving into a new space, think about how your surroundings might be impacting your thoughts, feelings, and drive!

• Madeleine: Whether it's an in-person yoga class to help me fully focus on my body and not my thoughts, or simply having a dance around the kitchen, movement has always helped me get out of my head and into the present moment. This helps prevent me from getting overwhelmed by my to-do list or my thoughts that day. Movement helps me stay mindful and clears my head of stress or worry.

• Emily T: Even during busy periods, I always try to clear some time in my schedule each day to take a walk. Rain or shine, alone or with friends! I find that walking to my favourite coffee shop in particular recharges my batteries and provides a reset after a stressful day of sitting at my desk and studying.

How are you getting involved during Mental Health Awareness Week? Share with the team - we'd love to hear from you!

Find out how you can get involved with the Student Minds Blog and the Mental Health Foundation this Mental Health Awareness Week.

Written by the Student Minds Blog Editorial Team.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022

Monday 9 May to Sunday 15 May marks Mental Health Awareness Week and this year's theme is 'loneliness'. The Editorial Team have come together to share their thoughts and experiences on feelings of loneliness as a student.

- Student Minds Blog Editorial Team

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place each year from the 9th to the 15th of May and this year the Mental Health Foundation has set the theme of 'loneliness'. As university students and graduates (especially during the lockdowns), the Editorial Team can relate to feelings of loneliness and we've come together to share our own experiences and how we deal with loveliness.

Natalie (Student)

When moving to university, it is easy to feel lonely as you move away from your friends and family and start a new life in a new city. Living independently can cause some to isolate themselves, but it is important to remember that you’re not alone. It is very normal as a student to feel lonely sometimes, and what I like to do in this situation is to reach out to friends and family and to remember that support is always there for you.

Luke (Student)

There is nothing worse than feeling completely isolated and alone, and you can feel your thoughts spiralling and you begin to catastrophise everything. I have found getting out and going on walks along the seaside or in nature refocuses my perspective on life. 

Martina (Graduate)

During my last year at University, I was living in a studio flat alone. Without my family in the country and friends moving back home during the lockdown, I felt extremely isolated. Knowing this situation my closest friend organised to sync Netflix and watch our favourite series together or we would meet for a walk every Saturday. We could catch up regularly giving me something to look forward to and helping reduce loneliness.

Riley (Student)

Have you ever felt empty and lonely after a party with your mates or a busy exam period? We may not realise how we’re feeling when we are busy or with somebody because we are used to relying on the people around us and our busy life. You may be lonely but you do not notice. Let’s just pause and give some time for ourselves!

Sarah (Student)

Feeding on nostalgia is my go-to when I’m feeling lonely. I think we all have a ‘comfort show’ or two that never fail to make us feel better. Whether that’s laughing at a cheesy rom-com (I love to hate them) or curling up watching a Ghibli film, escaping into another world for a while can be a welcome distraction.

Preksha (Student)

Firstly, it’s very important to know the distinction between feeling lonely and being alone. You could be surrounded by a room full of people and still feel lonely, and you could be alone in your room but not feel lonely. Nevertheless, I would strongly suggest that you should make an hour a day at the least to just step out of your dorm room. Whether it’s to exercise or run errands like grocery shopping or meeting some friends. Don’t make the mistake of isolating yourself in your room every day because eventually, you will start to feel quite lonely. 

Rosanna (Graduate)

Social media can make loneliness feel so much worse because it looks like everyone has an amazing, social life with loads of friends, but remember that it's not real life and not many people need constant social interaction anyway! Your best friends are probably right under your nose. Don’t feel embarrassed for needing to reach out to them. Loneliness is increasingly common and it isn’t a reflection on you as a person.

Share how you're getting involved with Mental Health Awareness Week on our Facebook group.

Find out more about what you can do to improve your wellbeing on Student Space.

Written by the Student Minds Editorial Team. Find out more about them here.

The Importance of Being Kind

For Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, Emily writes about the importance of kindness for our individual and collective mental health.

- Emily Maybanks

“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” – Morgan Freeman. 

Mental Health Awareness Week this year runs from 18th to 24th May 2020 and focuses on the theme of kindness. The kindness theme was chosen specifically as a response to the current COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, and is, perhaps, more important than ever. Kindness was chosen as this year’s theme because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community, and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Additionally, kindness is an intrinsically risky endeavour in that it can risk us looking foolish or even being taken advantage of, which is why we sometimes retreat into ourselves. To receive or to give kindness is an act of courage. 

This year, especially during this worrying and unprecedented time that we unfortunately have been forced into, it is more important than ever to be kind. At the beginning of 2020, we may have shown kindness to each other by taking a friend to the cinema or out for a meal or a drink, for example; or simply by meeting up to have a chat and offer a hug and a shoulder to cry on. Now, being kind might include buying someone a magazine or Netflix subscription, or safely delivering a care package, or speaking on the phone. Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place; an act of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, being in control and optimism, as well as encouraging others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves, thus contributing to a more positive community. 

Other ways to show kindness to our friends or the community include volunteering. Online, there are many things you could try to get involved with, such as seeing if there is anything you can do to support your local school or nursery. You could start up an online book club or film club. More simply, you could write a letter or a card to a friend or family member, or send flowers or chocolate for example. Also, when you are out for your exercise, you could say hello to passers-by. 

Most importantly when it comes to mental health and even more so at this time, it is vital that we are kind to ourselves. Prioritising some “me” time, so you can relax and reflect on how you’re feeling and how your day or week has been so far is a good way to start. Often, we are so caught up in busy everyday life that we forget about the importance of pausing for thought or reflection. If you’re working or studying from home, this too can be challenging and it is a good idea to spend some time doing what we enjoy doing or just relaxing, by watching TV, having a nice bath, chilling in the garden, calling a friend or pursuing a hobby. Personally, for me, the Karate club which I am part of have been running their classes online via Zoom and I have enjoyed taking part and continuing my training. Also, treat yourself every now and again (I have bought a lot of books since lockdown started!).

For more information Student Space is here to make it easier for you to find the support you need during the coronavirus pandemic.

For additional resources on supporting your mental health through COVID-19, please see here. 

My name is Emily (Em). In 2018, I graduated from Swansea University with my BA degree in Modern Languages, Translation & Interpreting where I was also passionate about and dedicated to Swansea Student Media and the University students’ newspaper – Waterfront. In September 2020 I will be starting a PGCE at the University of Reading to train to teach Secondary MFL (French and German). I blog for Student Minds because I have experienced mental health issues as a student and now also as a graduate, as well as various other health issues, and I support friends who also have mental health difficulties. I am a passionate writer and writing has been important in my mental health experiences – both in helping me to explore and to cope with my mental health, as well as sharing my story in order to help and inspire others.