Mental Health Awareness Week starts today (10 May) until Friday (14 May) and the theme this year is 'Nature'. Everyone is being asked to:
- Experience Nature.
- Share Nature.
- Talk about Nature.
Our Student Advisory and Wellbeing team have used the five ways to wellbeing - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Learn and Give - as the base for a number of events and activities for you to take part in:
Monday (10 May)
- Guided wellbeing walk around campus (Meet at 12pm, Founder's East gazebo) - Students and staff are invited to join a circular walk around campus.
- Self-guided campus walk - The Tree Walk is a low intensity walk (ten minutes), suitable for beginners, and is good for those in need of a short break in their day. Download the route map here and start the week with a gentle stroll amidst the trees.
- Forest bathing - On your walk why not experience the Japanese practice of forest bathing? This is a process of relaxation known as shinrin yoku. Simply being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature all around you whilst breathing deeply can help you de-stress and boost your mental health and wellbeing in a natural way. Here are some tips from Forestry England.
- Students' Union Give It A Go: Outside Coffee and Biscuits - The SU know that Monday can be a struggle even at the best of times. Why not wind down at the end of the day (4 - 6pm) with free coffee and biscuits on the Union Plaza? More information is available on the GIAG pages.
- Mental Health Awareness Week Moves Challenges - Royal Holloway Sport will be running four challenges on Royal Holloway Moves to give you that extra bit of encouragement to get yourselves outside and moving. Whether you run, walk, swim or cycle, you’ll be rewarded with Moves points which you can spend on a range of rewards both on and off campus. For more information on how to download the app, click here.
- Free Online Exercise Classes (available each day) - If you prefer exercising from the comfort of your home, Royal Holloway Sport have got you covered. Our online class timetable is still up and running and able to be accessed whether you are living on campus or at home. It’s the perfect opportunity to do your favourite classes, or maybe even try something new. You can find the full timetable and links to the free membership here.
Tuesday (11 May)
- Self-guided campus walk - The Meadow Walk is a medum intensity walk (15 minutes) that includes areas of incline and paths that may be uneven and need extra care when wet. Download the route map here and see how many species of trees you can identify in our meadow. Why not have lunch seated at the Callum Griffiths memorial bench located near the steps by south west corner of Founder's building?
- Capture a Moment - Capture a photograph or video of moment of nature outdoors and share it using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. We'd love to share your photographs on our Instagram page. Tag us (@RH_Wellbeing) in your photo and we'll share them in our stories.
- WoW: Managing Anxiety (2-4pm; MS Teams) - As part of our WoW (Wellbeing on Weekdays) programme we will be running a workshop which will help you to understand what anxiety is, why we experience these feelings, physical sensations and behaviours. Contact mentalhealth@royalholloway.ac.uk for more information and to register.
- Does You Good Activity Area (12-6pm) Founder's Field - The Does You Good Activity Area is aimed at offering free equipment hire to help you keep active on campus. To get involved visit the equipment hire tent on founders field where a member of staff will be able to issue you with an array of different sports equipment including Badminton, Swingball, Croquet, Basketball and lots more.
- Outdoor Bootcamp (5:30pm) - From Royal Holloway Sport, a 45 minute outdoor functional fitness class suitable for all abilities and fitness levels. Led by a qualified Personal Trainer, it's a great way to get yourselves moving, learn new skills and meet new people whilst improving your overall fitness. We’ll be running sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.30pm for four weeks and they are free to all Sports Pass holders. You can book your place up to six days in advance through our online booking system.
Wednesday (12 May)
- Mindfulness Meditations (with music) - Connecting with nature helps bring us into the present moment, using our senses to tune into what surrounds us. We have two mindfulness meditations (one with music and one without) for you to try this week, each helping you to connect with your surroundings and the nature that exists all around you. Why not take some time out, find a quiet spot and connect with nature through mindfulness. (Link to follow)
- Students' Union Mental Health Awareness training (1-3pm) - Delivered by Advice Centre Assistant, Sophie Bury, and VP Wellbeing & Diversity, Henn Warwick, this online session aims to reduce stigma and empower more students to be able to create open discussions about mental health. In turn, providing a more inclusive environment for people to be able to talk about their own mental health experiences. They’ll talk about symptoms you may spot, some useful signposting resources and how you can support your peers through these challenging times. You can find out more and sign up for the online training here.
- Tea and Chat with the Wellbeing Advisers (2-4pm) - Come and drop in to our virtual tea room during Mental Health Awareness Week where our Student Wellbeing team will be on hand for a chat! It does not have to be about your wellbeing, it just a space to come in have a cup of tea and chat with students and staff. Some of the teams pets will also be online so feel free to bring along your pet too! Click here to join the meeting.
- Royal Holloway Community Garden: Planting Drop-In (2-4pm) - Did you know there is a community garden on campus used by students, staff and the local community? Find out more and get involved by contacting them through their Instagram page. The volunteers will be running a two hour planting 'drop-in' on Wednesday for you to join.
Thursday (13 May)
- Self-guided campus walk - Ahead of World Bee Day on 20 May try a longer low intensity walk (20 minutes) and along the way find out more about the bee populations on campus that our academics monitor. Download the route map here and take a look at one of the hives on this walk
- Mindfulness Meditations (no music) - Connecting with nature helps bring us into the present moment, using our senses to tune into what surrounds us. When we move our attention to the outside world we shift our focus from our internal anxious thoughts or feelings and begin to realise that tuning into nature can help us feel connected, energised and peaceful. Take some time out, find a quiet spot and connect with nature through mindfulness. (Link to follow)
- Tune in to the sounds of nature - The National Trust report that a psychological study has found that natural sounds have restorative qualities and that three quarters of us feel more connected to nature when we hear birdsong. Wherever you live you can experience the orchestra of our natural world all through the day. Why not get up for sunrise and experience the beauty of the dawn chorus. Here are some tips from the National Trust.
- Outdoor Bootcamp (5.30pm) - From Royal Holloway Sport, a 45 minute outdoor functional fitness class suitable for all abilities and fitness levels. Led by a qualified Personal Trainer, it's a great way to get yourselves moving, learn new skills and meet new people whilst improving your overall fitness. We’ll be running sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.30pm for four weeks and they are free to all Sports Pass holders. You can book your place up to six days in advance through our online booking system.
Friday (14 May)
- Guided wellbeing walk around campus (Meet at 12pm, Founder's East gazebo) - Students and staff are invited to join a circular walk around campus led by a member of our external spaces team. Meet at the Mental Health Awarness Week Gazebo on the raised grass area between Founder's East and Windsor building at 12pm.
- Self-guided campus walk - A high intensity walk (30 minutes) to finish the week with a longer route that explores areas of campus which are not marked out on the main paths. Download the route map and discover the hidden beauty of our campus.
- Students' Union Give It A Go: Tomato Planting - Fancy learning how to sow seeds and save some money on your grocery shop? Make your way down to the Union Plaza between 4-6pm to learn how to grown your own tomatoes. More information is available on the GIAG pages here.
- Stargazing - Stargazing is an incredible way to experience the beauty of our world and to appreciate the size of the planet we inhabit. If it's a warm evening why not grab a blanket, a hot chocolate and get outside with a friend (don't forget the rule of six) to discover the power of looking at the vastness of the night sky and stars.
From Monday (10 May) - Friday (14 May) between 12-1pm, members of the Student Advisory & Wellbeing team will be available at the gazebo on Founder's East grassed area to have a chat with you and answer any questions you have about mental health and wellbeing support. Discover more.