Wellbeing ideas and opportunities for staff and students 2023
Thu 12 January 2023
Looking after your wellbeing
To mark Welcome Week January 2023 Wellbeing Adviser Kim Chapman collected ideas from university staff and the Student Support staff team about the different ways they prioritise their own wellbeing.
Give your self some space
At times it can feel as though our job is taking over our lives. It can be difficult not to take work home with us, however work-life balance is so important for our wellbeing.
I step away from the job and remind myself I am a whole person and being a wellbeing adviser is only a small part of that. I meet a friend, cook a meal, exercise, look after myself and reconnect to who I am.
I keep a list of priorities and try to stick to it. I leave my laptop at work in the evenings, and I always go for a walk at the end of the day. It really does help to clear the mind and process the day!
Be realistic about what you can achieve in a day and appreciate what you have crossed off your list rather than focusing on what you haven’t.
Explore nature
Getting out into nature helps you to destress and relax. There is growing evidence to suggest that spending time in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
I love being outdoors on my allotment or garden at home, planting and growing, harvesting and eating home grown produce. Fresh air, exercise, listening to the birds – it has been my saviour over the last few years.
I think of five things I am grateful for that day. I often find these on walks and interactions with people, like someone smiling at me or a chat.
Having the opportunity to speak to someone if things are stressful or very busy helps to settle the mind a little.
Arts and creativity
Doing something creative is also a great way to refocus the mind and let go of worries.
I love being out in the garden in the summertime or during the winter months I like to sit on the settee with my eyes closed, listening to music.
I listen to music, go for a nice walk-in local woodland and do art or creative activities to help me zone out and relax.
Join us on the Museum Wellbeing Trail. This wellbeing activity is to encourage students to take time for themselves, meet other students and have fun!
About the Wellbeing Audio Trail
Are you a law student and interested in exploring mindfulness in the museum? Then join us on the Museum Wellbeing Trail. This trail is to help you to ‘reset’ and find some moments of mindfulness and wellbeing in the Museum. Listen on your own device as you explore the space. This is a free event.
When: Tuesday, 17 January 2023 and Tuesday, 24 January 2023
Time: 12:00 - 13:00 and 13:00 - 13:30
Where: Meet at the Old College Quad and then The National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Level 1
Event Organiser: Kim Chapman, Wellbeing Adviser
Download the Museum Wellbeing trail [University sign-in required]
Follow the audio trail [External site]
Why take part?
Connect with you peers
Make time to mindfully embrace the moment.
Mindfulness during the day can impact positively on your wellbeing.
These mindfulness courses are intended for those who want to develop skills to deal more easily with the stresses of everyday life, work, and relationships. They are suitable for beginners and those with previous experience of meditation. Mindfulness training consists of formal and informal practices, cognitive exercises, and psycho-education.
Over several sessions, you will learn to steady your attention, and recognise and work with unhelpful patterns of thought. We will investigate the patterns of mind and behaviour that give rise to low mood and a sense of being ‘stuck’, and those that promote good mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
As the course is progressive, you will need to be able to commit to the duration of the programme, and to 30 minutes’ home practice per day.
Mindfulness Course for Students
The Chaplaincy Centre, Bristo Square
Wednesdays, 26th January to 22nd March (No session on 22nd February)
Donation: £35
Time: 14:30 - 16:30
Mindfulness and Compassion Course for Staff and PGRs
The Chaplaincy Centre, Bristo Square
Thursdays, 9th March to 6th April
Donation: £75 Staff; £35 PGR
Time: 10:30 - 12:30
To book using your departmental training budget, or to offer an alternative donation, please email mindfulness@ed.ac.uk.
The Staff Health and Wellbeing Hub brings together all of the information, resources and services available to our University employees. These pages are created and updated by the HR and Health and Safety departments.