Looking after yourself and others

Being away from home is a great time to develop yourself personally and academically. It’s a time of life when we often learn the most about ourselves; becoming independent, managing finances, living away from our support group and making new friends and contacts. Sometimes there can be challenges however, and we have to find ways through to cope when things aren’t going as smoothly as before.

Feeling at home when you’re away from home

Missing home comforts and your family and friends is perfectly normal. Most students feel homesick at some point, and so you’re not alone. However, there’s lots to do to manage it.

• Make your room nice — plants, pictures of family and friends (and pets) from home can help create your own sanctuary; a place that’s safe and calm.
• Come and see the therapy dogs in the union most Thursdays — join Pepper and her friends for some quiet time. Pets are proven in countless studies to help reduce stress and promote wellbeing.
• Explore our Feeling at home in Leeds guides — great to help you settle in and adapt to your new life

Take regular breaks

Life at uni can sometimes feel like it’s going at a hundred miles an hour, and with busy days and nights it’s easy not to have enough time for yourself. Try and find time during the day when you can have time to step away from what you’re doing and relax.

Our campus has lots of peaceful spots outside to reflect, take some time out and get your batteries recharged for the next event you’ve got planned. Don’t forget to plan in longer breaks too, on a weekend to do something different.

If you’ve not tried meditation, why not give it a go? Good breathing techniques can put you in a more relaxed state as it sends oxygen surging through your bloodstream, helping to calm you down and beat stress. You can download meditation files to support relaxation, meditation and mindfulness.

Talking to your friends and others

If you’re having a tough time, then talking is actually one of the best possible things you can do. It can be hard to build up the courage but it can help in many ways.

• Talking can clarify how you’re feeling — by speaking we have to try and put our thoughts and feelings in order, and it can stop things from building up
• It’s a good way of getting perspective — often it’s easy to overthink things if you’ve kept things to yourself. Often a new perspective from a friend can make a bit difference.
• If you’re worried about your course, then you can speak to your personal tutor, or someone on your course. Your personal tutor will be able to help you with more than academic things, and their knowledge of the University may be just the job in helping you feel more in control.

Get the right amount of sleep and sign off social media

If you’re one of those people who lies in bed scrolling mindlessly through social media before bed, welcome to the club! However it’s not the best thing for mental health, and it can prevent us from getting a decent amount of sleep too.

Plan evenings when you’re going to go to bed a bit earlier, put your phone on airplane and snuggle up under the duvet perhaps with a good book, relaxing music or podcast and drift off to sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning for it.

Keeping active

We know that moving more can help us in many ways, and there’s plenty of opportunities to get those endorphins pushing through your body making you feel good. Here’s some ideas to help:

• Walk in to uni in the morning — it’s free, good for you and the environment. What’s not to like?
• Taking part in sport and physical activity is one the most effective ways to feel good! If you find the fitness suites not your thing, why not try a class or a swim once a week?
• Give it a Go (GIAG) — Leeds University Union (LUU) have loads of activity clubs and societies that give you a chance to try something new, from walking and exploring to dance and martial arts.
• Go out on your bike — Yorkshire is the home of cycling and it’s an amazing place for keen cyclists. If you’re looking for something a bit more gentle, why not hire a bike at the bike hub on campus?

Feed your body as well as your brain

Planning a varied and healthy diet is something that can make a significant difference to how we feel. Whether it’s in the Union or at your nearest shop or supermarket, making good choices with food can make a big difference.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, or are keen to buy locally grown organic produce, why not get along to the farmers’ market outside the union every Monday in term time or head down to Leeds City Market in town for some fresh ingredients for your tea?

Getting further help

Occasionally you may need to get more advice or guidance. There’s lots of ways of doing this, whether it’s personal research online, or talking to professionals.

• If you haven’t already, register with a doctor near you. There is also some useful information on health services available if you are an international student.
• Doing your own research can give you an insight in how you’re feeling, and you can get some great understanding and techniques to manage commonly occurring difficulties. Here’s some places to help you find out more about self help.
• Pop into Leeds University Union (LUU) and speak with the help and support team. They’re open until 5.30pm, seven days a week during term time.
• If you’re going through a tough time you can now access free online support with Togetherall. Whether you’re struggling to sleep, feeling low, stressed or not coping, Togetherall can help you get support, take control and feel better.
• The University has a range of groups and workshops designed to enhance your wellbeing, develop your skills and give you the opportunity to connect with others with similar experiences to you.
• The Student Counselling and Wellbeing service and the NHS offer a range of services to support students during their time at the University.
• LUU Mind Matters society have put together a directory which brings lots of support together. It’s student produced too.

What to do in an emergency

A crisis is when you feel you are a risk to yourself or others. This could include wanting to harm yourself, or having seriously harmed yourself (such as overdosing), or where you feel out-of-control and unsafe. Find out what to do in an emergency.