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Five Simple Ways to Boost Your Mental Health
University life can be exciting, busy and sometimes overwhelming. Between lectures, deadlines, part time jobs, commuting across London and trying to maintain some kind of social life, it’s easy for your mental health to slip down the priority list.
But supporting your mental health doesn’t have to mean completely changing your routine. Small habits can have a real impact on how we feel day to day. Many of these habits link to the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
1. Connect
Spending time with friends, classmates or communities can help build a sense of belonging and support. Whether that’s catching up over lunch, joining a society or simply checking in with someone, connection reminds us we’re not alone. There are hundreds of clubs and societies you can join, as well as student networks that bring together people with shared identities and experiences.
2. Be Active
Moving your body can help reduce stress and boost your mood. It doesn’t have to be intense exercise. It could be a walk around campus, stretching between lectures or doing something active with friends. Project Active runs accessible, beginner friendly sessions at UCL East designed to help students move more and try new activities in a relaxed environment
3. Take Notice
Taking a moment to slow down and notice what’s around you can help you feel more grounded. That might mean stepping outside for fresh air, taking a break from your screen or simply pausing during a busy day. At UCL East you’re surrounded by nature. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland to explore, making it a great place to take a walk, clear your head and step away from the pressures of studying for a while.
4. Keep Learning
Trying something new or developing a skill can build confidence and give you a sense of progress. That might be exploring a creative hobby, attending a workshop or learning something outside your usual studies. UCL also offers opportunities beyond your course in term 3 through the ExtendED Learning programme, where you can take part in short activities, workshops and collaborative challenges alongside students from different disciplines.
5. Give
Helping others or doing small acts of kindness can create a sense of purpose and connection. Even small gestures can have a positive impact on someone else’s day and on your own wellbeing. You can also get involved in volunteering, fundraising and community projects through the Students’ Union Social Impact programme.
If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. Support is available through UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, where you can speak to trained advisers in a safe and confidential space about anything affecting your wellbeing or studies.