• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Arts & Fashion
  • Photography
  • Health & Lifestyle
  • Cainte
  • Sports
  • Archives
    • Volume 24: 2022-23
    • Volume 23: 2021-22
    • Volume 22: 2020-21
    • Volume 21: 2019-20
    • Volume 20: 2018-19
    • Volume 19: 2017-18
    • Volume 18: 2016-17
    • Volume 17: 2015-16
    • Volume 16: 2014-15
    • Volume 15: 2013-14
    • Volume 14: 2012-13
    • Volume 13: 2011-12
  • About
    • Get Involved
    • Contact Us
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy

Student Independent News

NUI Galway Student Newspaper

Quick and easy self-care tips for a busy mind

October 19, 2022 By Eimear O’Dwyer

Semester one always seems to become overloaded with study, events, due dates and general life around this halfway point. You may feel a bit behind, a bit lost and a bit smothered by work.

Nevertheless, it is still so important to look after yourself. Here are some tips that might help you to declutter your mind and boost your productivity!

Get out in nature

Being near an open body of water is scientifically proven to lower feelings of stress and depression. Head to Blackrock for a swim or walk along the Prom and breathe in the sea air to help clear your busy mind.
Walk to the Mutton Island Lighthouse, take a walk or cycle to Dangan and enjoy the views of Menlo Castle and the River Corrib while surrounded by trees. Getting out for a walk-in nature does wonders for your mood and your concentration.

Laugh

Maintaining the ability to laugh when times get stressful is so important. Catch up with a friend who cracks you up, watch something funny or listen to a funny podcast.

‘The Laughs of Your Life’ with Doireann Garrihy is my go-to podcast for a good belly laugh. Doireann invites influential guests to share their memories of laughter and their funniest moments. Another podcast full of humour is ‘My Therapist Ghosted Me’ with Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams. The pair give questionable advice to listeners on dating, embarrassing moments and much more.

Unplug

There truly is always something important to do, an email to reply to, a blackboard notification to read, an assignment to write. But, unplugging from your screens regularly can actually help to boost your concentration and motivation. Indulge in a good book. Make a cup of tea or your favourite meal. Go for a run, do some yoga, draw or write. Do something just for you, something where you can let go and not think about anything else even for a few minutes.

Write it out

Writing up a basic plan for the day can help you to feel more in control of the day ahead and put your mind at ease. If you feel stuck in an anxious thought loop, write down everything that is worrying you and cross out what you can’t control. Then do something from the list that you can control.

Write down things that you are thankful for. If you find this hard to do, think about all the little things that make up your day-to-day life and why they are important to you. Writing out your thoughts can help bring a sense of order and purpose when life and college feels overwhelming.

Taking some time for yourself helps to improve other parts of your life such as study, relationships and mental wellbeing!

Eimear O’Dwyer
+ posts
  • Eimear O’Dwyer
    https://sin.ie/author/eimear-odwyer/
    Students raise almost €30,000 for Samaritans by shaving their heads
  • Eimear O’Dwyer
    https://sin.ie/author/eimear-odwyer/
    The Mother and Baby Home redress scheme will see survivors getting “a pittance of an amount and yet another apology that you could paper walls with” says deceased victim’s daughter.
  • Eimear O’Dwyer
    https://sin.ie/author/eimear-odwyer/
    Accommodation crisis knocks student mental health
  • Eimear O’Dwyer
    https://sin.ie/author/eimear-odwyer/
    Thrifty fashion ideas for students on a budget

Related

Filed Under: Editor's Recommendation, Health & Lifestyle

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Read our latest issue:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 SIN Student Newspaper. All rights reserved.