How to Beat Stress and Boost Happiness

Hi guys,

I've recently found this website called Happify Daily which posts uplifting articles and stories and aims to inspire you to be happy! 

You don't need to register or sign up to the site as a lot of the content is free to view just from visiting the 'Get inspired' section.

Check out this Infographic about How to beat stress and boost happiness in your life!

Also take a look at the below video showing kitten therapy!

Schools-based strategy launched to improve children’s mental health care

The government is launching a new schools-based initiative to address the crisis in mental health services for children and young people.

The strategy aims to improve the support and counselling available in primary and secondary schools for young people with mental health conditions, and will prioritise pupils’ wellbeing rather than focusing purely on league tables.

In a speech at the Children and Young People Now Awards, Sam Gyimah, education and childcare minister, is expected to acknowledge the problems with the current system and present his vision for improving what schools can offer.

“It’s right that we renew our focus on the character, resilience, and wellbeing of children and young people – it’s one of the department’s biggest priorities over the coming months,” the minister will say.

Gyimah said he would be working the PSHE Association to help schools teach pupils about mental health in order to banish the damaging stigma around mental health problems.

“Where schools provide access to counselling services for their pupils, it can help develop a supportive culture, keeping pupils engaged with their peers, and with learning,” he said.

“I’m pleased to announce the development of a new departmental strategy that focuses on getting experts to distil what it is that makes for good counselling services in primary and secondary schools – and what the wider benefits can be, how we can unlock the potential of pupils, and work out when they need more specialist help.

“Because we know that more than half of adults with a mental health problem were first diagnosed in childhood, and of that number, fewer than half were treated appropriately as children.”

Thursday’s announcement is the first step in what the minister said would be a bigger push from the Department for Education on mental health in the coming months, taking in evidence from professionals and young people.

In June the government issued advice to schools to help teachers identify and support those pupils whose behaviour suggests they may have underlying mental health problems in the hope that fewer pupils would be wrongly labelled as troublemakers. A 2012 Centre for Mental Health report estimated around 15% of pupils aged five to 16 have mental health problems that put them at increased risk of developing more serious issues in the future.

To view the original article and see comments on this topic click here.

anger at "what's your mental disorders quiz"

The "what's your mental disorders quiz" that's polluting the Facebook air has made me angry today. I'm not angry because I have had multiple diagnoses on the mental disorder front. I'm not even angry as a psychology PhD student, that some guy in an office has made some extremely reductionist mistakes : scenarios with answers which generate a result which is frankly inaccurate ("describe your personality in one word"; here's me with my first class psychology BSc and my distinction grade MSc sitting with the conception that personality is multi modal,  highly complex and continually debated. The reason I'm angry is that mental disorder is not a joke. It has come to my attention over the past few years that there has been a marked paradigm shift in how mental health disorders have been portrayed in the media. Instead of the mixture of jokes to cover up fear and discomfort , or just plain silence and taboo,  people (the public, the  newspapers and the BBC ) have started to tentatively talk about mental health and it's disorders. The general public have finally been able to hear it from the people who live it. I often sit with my morning coffee whilst my mum tells me about the latest soul on breakfast television who has bravely disclosed their inner struggles to the world with the hope of raising awareness.  I personally feel that  such features are working and that there is less stigma. But,  whilst people are ridiculing mental disorder we are going to stay as we are. We're reaching a plateau. There's a ceiling, a smoky fog which lingers and covers and blights progress; preventing acceptance,  understanding and (on an individual level) recovery.
I'm struggling to understand what is so entertaining about this quiz. Take ad an illustrative example, the question which asks how many times you wash your hands. This is the obvious one ; it's stereotypically pointing at obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) . Did you know that only a relatively small percentage of individuals who meet the clinical threshold for  OCD actually present with compulsive hand washing? . After a year of OCD I have never had this problem. I've experienced many others, which have held me down and built walls between who I was and who I wanted to be but never this problem. What about those that do fall victim to compulsive hand washing?  I've known men and women whose hands were painfully raw and bleeding. I've even known people who had burned their skin with beech. What's worse is that I've seen the pure pain and frustration in their eyes as their brains house a viscous war between irrational fear and logic. Can you see yet why I'm failing miserably to comprehend why OCD is on any level funny?
Regardless of the inaccuracies which run a vein throughout the entire 'piece' the first offence committed by the 'author' (who needs to learn that apostrophes aren't optional) lies in the initial sentence. "Let's (presumably supposed to be contraction of let us) admit it , all of us are a little bit crazy..."  granted, all of us have quirks; we have irrational fears, obsessions,vulnerability . We all have darker places in our minds which can be triggered and which cA use us to experience emotional pain. This is simply because all of us have mental health, in the same way that we all have physical health. In light of this,  we are all capable of suffering mental ill health. However, I struggle to believe that any of us are crazy. People who live with mental disorders are most certainly not crazy. I have worked with People with with mental disorders. Some of the individuals whose journeyS and recoveries that I have been price lifted to share have needed merely a little extra help to support them through a difficult time whilst others have been in hospital and been very sick indeed. I have not however, had any experience of working with an individual who could be considered crazy. Vulnerable; undeniably. Inspiring;certainly. Strong, intelligent, dedicated, resilient, complex... I could use all of those adjectives to describe past clients with ease but never, ever crazy.
If you've done this quiz for "light entertainment" or or because you have noting better to do then you should be extremely ashamed of yourself. You clearly have time in your hands. I therefore hope with earnest that you have read this blog post, taken it in, and are vouching to make a slightly more educated decision next time.

Is Uni life making you stressed?

With exams and many deadlines around the same time of year, it’s no wonder that most students feel the impact of stress at some point during university life. Current and up to date statistics show that you’re not alone if you are feeling some form of mental distress as a student.  With stress being the most common form of mental distress (80% of students that they have experienced stress during their time at university) , it is important to recognise when things might be becoming too much, and make yourself aware of what can be done to help (more than you might think!).

Why do students feel stressed?

 

There are many reasons why university can be a stressful time; moving away from home, getting used to the experience and the rising cost of being a student to name a few. The majority of reasons behind why students in particular are likely to experience some form of mental distress are primarily course and work related. Balancing studying and other commitments can be difficult, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming, and like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Other contributors to mental distress in student life include financial difficulties, and trying to find a job alongside studying. There are many other contributing factors, and reasons for feeling low/distressed vary from person to person. However, one of the more shocking statistics is that 12% of students, when asked, felt that the reason for them feeling like this was that they did not know where to go to for support.

 

What does this mean?

The NUS mental distress survey results show that unfortunately, just over one quarter of students experiencing mental distress do not tell anyone. This can often lead to the problem or situation getting worse, and these results on their own show that students are not alone in this.

So, what can you do?

Even though talking to someone about how you’re feeling can be the most challenging step, it is more often than not the most worthwhile. There are plenty of people that you can talk to at university, such as academic staff, advice and support services at university or students unions, or even making the first step by starting the conversation with friends and family. Nightline can be called ( 0114 222 8787), if you feel like it’s too late to talk to someone but there are things worrying you and stopping you from getting a good nights sleep when you need it the most.

 

University is a challenging time for all students, and it’s important to try and keep in mind that most people will be feeling the same uncertainties about it at some point during their studies. Most importantly, it can sometimes be productive to step back for a minute and remember the positive reasons for you choosing to come to university, what your aims and positive ambitions for the future are, and how far you have already come to get in to university.

 

After all, university is supposed to be a fun time, and before you know it you’ll be graduating – so it’s important to make the most of it!

Mindfulness.

You’ve probably heard this word before. It’s rather popular at the moment, and the term is regularly bashed around.

I bet you’ve got a fair idea of what mindfulness is. For this reason, I won’t launch myself into a literature review. Just to clarify, for those who aren’t familiar:

Mindfulness is living in the moment.

Let me explain…

Most of the time, we aren’t actually present in the current moment. For example, when you’re at the pub with your friends, you might actually be thinking about all the work you have to do tomorrow (living in the future), or how you should have finished that essay before you went out on the town (living in the past). Mindfulness helps you to live in the only moment that really exists: the present one. This helps you to keep ruminating thoughts about the past (which feed depression) at bay, and ward off anxious thoughts about the future.

How it’s done…

There’s loads of ways to practice mindfulness, but for now, let’s start with something really simple. A while ago, I went through a ‘rough patch’ and saw a psychologist. She told me to concentrate on my breath; such as how it feels in my nose, my mouth, my chest etc… and really concentrate on those feelings. She told me to breathe deeply and imagine how it feels to get oxygen to my tense muscles. She also suggested that I think about how the ground feels under my feet, or which parts of my legs are touching the settee.

This takes you away from ‘cognitive overdrive’ and reminds you of the presence of the rest of you- that you are made up of more than just thoughts! It brings you back to RIGHT NOW.

I love this technique because it can be done without anyone knowing you’re doing it, like a special ‘secret weapon’ against stress. What’s more, you can do it anywhere, any time: on the train, in the pub, right before an exam…

Remember though, it is a new skill, and therefore takes practice! The more you do it, the more effective it will be for you! If you start now, you’ll be a ‘pro’ by the January deadlines!

Enjoy living in the moment :-)

By Megan Bean

Worried about starting back at uni?

Have you got mixed feelings about returning to uni? Are you worried about the coming year? About friends? About academic achievements and expectations?

Or are you wondering how things are going to be with your friends because you have fallen out in July about the last bill in your house, and you haven't spoken to them since then?

Or worried about accidentally bumping into your ex-girlfriend/boyfriend at uni, or on a night out?

Here's a simple recipe I've found online, it may not be scientific, or proven to work, but just remind yourself of all the good things and the things you're looking forward to, and you will find that going back to uni is making you excited and happy.

And just remember: if you have any problems, you can contact Student Wellbeing and go to a Drop in or - if at night - call Nightline Sheffield on 0114 222 8787 .

 

 

We are looking forward to seeing everybody back!

 

Making the most of your summer and looking after yourself

Great ways to make the most of the weather

Picnic at the park – take a blanket and some lunch and enjoy a summer picnic in the sun with some family members, friends or a partner. Not only is this low cost but it is a good way to socialise and enjoy the sun.

Bike rides – as we all know, the cost of transportation is increasingly expensive. Cycling is a free mode of transport, whether you choose to ride to work or to meet friends, or just enjoy the sun in a local cycle route with a friend. You are able to relax and enjoy the weather while treating your body to some enjoyable exercise.

Barbeques – this is a great way to socialise in the sun as well as encouraging a balanced diet with different meats and salads; helping to provide the body with the energy it needs to withstand the current temperatures. Get a few friends over and enjoy a good knees-up with some drinks, food and music.

Camping – camping is brilliant for those who want to enjoy the hot days and the cool nights. Many camp sites are cheap and some even offer the showers and facilities we are all accustomed to having at home.

Road trip – if you know anyone who can (and will) drive, that’s great! However, simply jumping on the next train to Blackpool or Wales isn’t out of the question. Enjoy the summer sea, site see, build sand castles, go on fair rides or even walk down the pier. Whatever you do, you will have a great day out in the heat of the sun and the cool, soft breeze of the sea.

The Importance of looking after yourself and staying hydrated

The last thing that anybody wants on their summer holidays is to end up in hospital with severe heat stroke or worse. There is no reason to allow your body to suffer just to get a tan. The following describes some issues that are common in high temperatures.

1.       Sunburn

Sunburn is the damage of skin due to overexposure to the suns UV radiation. It is beneficial for your skin to spend a small amount of time exposed to the sun as vitamin D will be absorbed which helps to control the calcium and phosphate in the body. The less melanin a person has, the less natural protection they have against the UV rays, meaning they will burn or tan more quickly.

To avoid sunburn, it is beneficial to avoid being out in direct sunlight around the midday hours when the sun is at its most powerful (11am until 3pm). However, whether you avoid the sun between these hours or not, sun cream is always recommended to prevent damage to the skin. Ensure the sun cream is being applied as directed on the bottles and reapplied regularly as well as after contact with water. Covering up the skin with loose clothing and a hat helps to prevent direct contact with the sun.

If however you do end up with sunburn, it is important to treat it carefully and correctly. Cold towels will help to cool the affected skin, moisturisers (especially those containing aloe vera) will help to keep the skin moist and will soothe the pain. To soothe the itching and soreness, calamine lotion/cream is recommended.

2.       Heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body temperature rises from 37°C to 40°C, at which point the water and salt levels in the body will begin to decrease and symptoms such as nausea and excess sweating will occur. It is important at this point to get the affected person into a cool area, remove any excess clothing and ensure they sip plenty of water; given half an hour, improvements will be seen. However, if untreated heat stroke can develop.

Heat stroke is where the body temperature rises above 40°C; this causes the body cells to break down and organs will begin to fail, brain damage can also occur if left untreated. The worst case scenario can be death in some cases. In the event of heat stroke, the emergency services should be called immediately, and they should be told as soon as possible that the person in question is suspected to have heat stroke.

Heat stroke and exhaustion is easy to avoid; drinking plenty of water throughout the day and night will help to keep hydrated and cool, loose clothing will help to prevent too much direct contact with the sun, keeping energy levels up with a good balanced diet and preventing dehydration and sunburn can also help to prevent heat exhaustion.

3.       Dehydration

Dehydration is when the body has lost 2% of its weight due to lack of water. Dehydration can occur at any point in any climate at any temperature. However it is more likely to occur during exercise or in hotter weather, it is therefore important to take these factors into consideration in regards to the amount of water intake you have.

Drinking water before exercise will help to prevent this, as well as keeping up the intake of water during exercise. It is the same for hot weather, it is important to maintain a good level of liquid intake throughout the day and even at night. Many people wake up in the night due to the heat; this is a good opportunity to have some water as the body has been neglected of such a privilege throughout the time you were asleep.

Symptoms of dehydration can include:

·         Thirst – by the time your body tells you that you are thirsty you will already be starting to dehydrate. For this reason, it is better to sip water regularly throughout the day.

·         The colour of urine – the darker it is, the more dehydrated you are. If it is light you should maintain the amount of water you are currently consuming; if it is darker, you should increase your water intake.

·         Headaches and dizziness can occur when dehydrated. The pain of the headache can be similar to that of a tension headache and can be prevented through a reasonable intake of water.

·         You may begin to feel weak or have fatigue as well as muscle pains, this is because of the loss of water and salt in the body.

Alcohol consumption must be taken in moderation and alongside plenty of water as alcohol is a dehydrator as it can cause an excess of urination, removing the body’s water. Alcohol also interferes with the water mechanics of the body, so it is very important to consumer as much water as you do in alcohol.

A bottle of flavoured water contains a third of an adults recommended intake of sugar. Sugar an increase the body’s temperature to defend itself from what it thinks is being under stress, which will cause excess sweating, as well as many long term health problems such as diabetes and increased heart rate.

Where to find help

If you find yourself in need of medical help, there are doctors and nurses available at Student Health at SHU. The open times, phone number, and address can be found on the following link:

http://www.studenthealthatshu.co.uk/

By Sally Clegg