A dozen deadly tips for wellbeing

Dadirri is the practice of deep listening. It allows you to be still and connect.

Learn about it here: DADIRRI (Official Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Video)

Modern day deep listening is termed mindfulness. It allows you to notice and connect with your self or spirit and surroundings.

Download this free app:  Smiling Mind  

Make time to practice – you will soon see the benefits. Bring it in to everyday living so you can ALLOW CONNECT GROW and focus on your studies.

Many students experience mental health issues that interfere with their study and affect their overall wellbeing. Sometimes we need a bit of help, it is ok to reach out.

• Contact the Wollotuka Counsellor or University Counselling & Psychological Services 04921 6622
• Contact an Aboriginal Medical Service.
• Try Headspace - a one-stop shop for youth – explore it here: Headspace
• Make an appointment to see a GP for a mental health care assessment.
• Call a 24 hour helpline like LifeLine 13 11 14.

The power of yarning can be healing. Talking things through with someone you trust will make you feel less alone and may allow you to see different options for your situation. Keeping everything to yourself may lead to more difficulties and increases isolation and shame.

Have a yarn and then try to get focused on your studies again.

Yarn with others about healthy eating ideas or swap some unhealthy items for healthy ones, e.g. water instead of soft drink, wholegrain bread instead of white, oranges instead of biscuits, have a leafy lunch to get your veggie intake.

Any small change in the right direction is a deadly one : Self-Care Toolkit

A healthy diet can help lift energy and improve concentration and memory so you can focus on your study.

Sleep can impact your ability to study well and focus.

• If you struggle with sleep try some Dadirri or mindfulness throughout the day and at bedtime.
• Try to remind yourself you are just ‘resting’ as this takes the pressure off struggling to sleep.
• Having a Hard Time Sleeping? Do Nothing!

Moving is essential as a student! Give yourself at least 30minutes a day away from study and into exercise.

• Exercise can have a flow on effect, it promotes healthy eating and also helps you sleep. Introduce daily exercise or increase what you are already doing.

Any change in the right direction is a deadly one : Self-Care Toolkit

An organised student is an effective one.

• A deadly daily to do list can be a place to start. It can help motivate you for the day.
• If you find you are overwhelmed or not getting the tasks done, break them down into smaller and smaller tasks until it gets you moving in the right direction.

Slow down and take life a moment at time. It is easy to just go along with life and forget about our goals and values.

• Try writing them down or putting them in your phone as reminders.
• Move towards them even if it is in a small way.

Before you know it you will have completed a semester and eventually your study plans.

Your education will benefit if you stay connected with your teachers, lecturers, peers, support staff and friends and family.

• Connect with your mob and other like-minded people.
• Try to surround yourself by people who treat you well and encourage you, this will give you a boost.

At times, we can get totally overwhelmed by our thoughts, feelings, sensations and urges.

Try to be like a tree, firmly in the ground, or like a boat dropping anchor in a storm.

• Stand firmly on the ground or push your feet into the floor
• Notice your feet strongly connected with the floor or country, notice your body, notice sounds around you and focus on 5 breaths.
• Imagine yourself on country or go outside and immerse yourself in nature.
• Tell yourself ‘this storm will pass’.

If you are losing motivation or becoming bored with the mundane, mix it up!

Try a new space to study – go to a different campus, hang out at Wollotuka or go to the library. Perhaps visit the park, beach or another space you feel connected with.

Try a new hobby or activity, or at least a variety of the one you may already be doing.

Look up a new recipe, try different foods or bring some variety into your movies, music, tv shows, books or activities.

Worry will always be with us. It is our mind problem solving. It may also be a way of avoiding certain feelings or sensations, like a protector.

• Try labelling your worry and re-focus your attention back on to what you are doing.
• Imagine your worry on leaves floating past you on a river. Let them float past you.
• See it as junk mail or adds on social media, you may notice it but not engage in it.
• Imagine your thoughts as fish swimming past you as you sit on a rock overlooking a river or the ocean, or birds flying past you in the sky.

Care for yourself like you may care for country.

Our mind is good at pointing out all things we regret, or feel ashamed of or stuff we have or haven’t done. It happens to everyone. We may even self-sabotage, which means we actively stop working towards our goals or move in the other direction just to prove to ourselves that we are no good, or couldn’t do something.

In these moments, ask yourself – ‘what advice would I give someone I care about?’, and try to apply that to yourself. It is hard enough and normal to experience raw and overwhelming emotions.

Try to care for that emotion, after all it is a part of you, become a little kinder to that emotion.